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