Father's Day is this weekend, so I've been thinking about what it means to raise kids these days in a world anchored on such non-anchorable things such as tweets and texts, hoots and hot-spots. And frankly, I think I have no clue. But a smart, smart friend of mine who is a divorced father, recently wrote in his blog some stuff that seems very much like wisdom to me, and I want to share it.
Eli writes that parenthood is a lot like training for a marathon, but the best advice he ever received was from a guy in Iowa who said to his daughter during an all-too-familiar teenage outburst something along the lines of this: “You know, I’ve never had a 16-year-old daughter before and you’ve never been 16 before either. So we’re both in uncharted territory here. But, I think if we listen to one another, work together and treat each other respectfully, we’ll get through this just fine.”
I think the part that resonates with me is the old guy's remarks about listening, working together, and treating each other with respect. And of course, I like the idea of "getting through this just fine." As far as college admissions is concerned, the advice is equally solid. Listening to your kids, working with them, and treating them with respect will take you far. And, by the way, it's perfectly okay to remind them that the same advice applies to the way they talk to you as well.
I know it's summer and that a good deal of the energy devoted to thinking about where kids will apply to college is on hold right now, but in the fall, everything will feel more imminent--because it will be. Today, just enjoy the fact that this weekend is Father's Day. And moms and dads everywhere: Good work!
If you'd like to read Eli's blog in its entirety, check out: http://eliphoto.wordpress.com
Thanks.
John
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