We’ve all heard the horror stories. Boys in the back of a junior high school bus showing each other nude pictures of girls in their class. Girls stalked by much older men who pretend to be their “nice friend.” Kids committing suicide over what’s shared via smart phones. Those are just a few examples of the dangers teens can encounter through the little electronic doorway that fits in the palm of their hand. Many teens own a smart phone. Those who don’t own one generally want what their peers have, and moms and dads don’t enjoy being the bad guy. What’s a parent to do? Is Continue Reading
How to Turn Online Outrage into Something Helpful
Ever run across something on social media that you find to be both super annoying and grossly inaccurate? (Like, all the time?) My general stance with regard to social media is, "Don't engage with the outrage." There's enough toxicity out there already. If I'm going to contribute something, it needs to add value. It may offer a challenge, but it should ultimately encourage someone as well. Last week, I had the opportunity to put this into practice. I'd been seeing a cartoon passed around on Twitter of a man holding an umbrella over the belly of a very pregnant woman, as though Continue Reading
How Listening to each other’s Stories helps Heal the Wounds of Racism
Five-year-old Jamé was excited. This was going to be her first show-and-tell. Although not outgoing by nature, she looked forward to showing off her indigenous heritage to her classmates. On the big day, Jamé proudly put on the pink jingle dress her aunt had made for her. She wore moccasins and put a feather in her braided hair. To show the other children what powwow music sounded like, Jamé brought a little CD player. Too shy to dance, she simply played the music and then explained to her classmates what she understood about Native American traditions. This should have been a Continue Reading
Why My Definition of “Hater” is Changing (and Yours Might, Too)
I was trying to finish a task at work, but my introvert brain kept getting derailed by a phone conversation in the adjoining office. I closed my door so I could concentrate. This wasn’t the first time I’d done this, which is why my extroverted co-worker remarked, “You close your door because you hate me!” Somehow, her joke didn’t come across as humorous. If I need space, I “hate” you? Really? Like that scene at the office, the label “hater” in our politically correct culture is thrown around far too quickly—ironically, often by folks who otherwise object to name-calling. What Continue Reading