Two Voices – Two Choices
Presented by Maryann Wyatt
UMCH, ParentCorp, Joshua Brown Foundation
Hank, Emmy, and Me
August 21, 2004
Today’s Culture
Fast and furious Be smart Be the best – WIN Blend in with the
crowd Teaches fear Drugs, alcohol and
sex makes you cool
Look what we started
Drugs Alcohol Smoking Hip hop-gangsta Body
piercing/tatoos
Sex without boundries
In-appropriate clothing
Self mutilation Suicide
Who wins?
Entertainment Media Study our children
Retailers, Retailers, Retailers 150 billion dollar babies
Alcohol companies Tobacco companies Drug companies
Your inner voice
Be still/listen Love yourself and
others Being cool is using
your own talents and abilities
Stand out - Be unique
Explore ideas
Look what we started
Churches/support communities
4-H Boy Scouts Youth groups Habitat for
Humanity
Music programs Home Schooling Outreach ministries Picnics Family Vacations
Who wins?
Children Parents Future generations
How do we get there from here?
Know their world
Learn about today’s culture Visit myspace.com Learn about drug/alcohol use today Choose your battles Show up at school/social functions Talk to them, talk to others
Core Beliefs
Do you believe that Life has to be a struggle? It’s possible for you to be happy? You live in a safe world? You will find joy in your life? It’s important to suffer?
Communication Practices
Practice listening Make time to communicate Take charge Communicate with the child in front of
you, not the one you want them to be Talk about issues-often
Talk about Now
Life doesn’t start when you graduate college
Use your talents now Talk about life and death Accept life as it is today Talk about choices Encourage Encourage Encourage
Share your own growth
If you are not growing – start Read books Take classes Journal Meditation Exercise
Quality of Relationship
Be honest in thought, word, actions
Build trust – on both sides
Spend time talking and being
If its broke-fix it Show your love often Treat every day like it
might be the last
Family Priorities
Re-think them – often What would an outsider say about your
priorities? School, work, religious activities, sports
activities, social activities, friendships, extended family, relationships within family
Relax time, diet, exercise, balance
Rules around technology
Monitor cell phone useage
Monitor internet useage
Monitor television and limit time
Monitor computer games
Boundries outside the home
Establish a check in routine
Make sure you have phone numbers
Understand that you may show up at any time
Firm rules about driving/riding
Time away from home
Be aggressive about a realistic schedule
Say no sometimes Develop plan with your teenager Limit weekend activities to 1 or 2
In Loving Memory of Emily Jewell Wyatt
February 16, 1990 – August 21, 2004
In Loving Honor of Hank Wyatt
November 16, 1987