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"What are you doing this summer?" This question is often asked as the school year winds down. For some, the question awakens eager excitement for new adventures. For others, the question might induce anxiety over added responsibilities. Regardless, the summer season is full of opportunity and fun traditions.
This past weekend a quick trip to Central Oregon with my son ended in Sisters with a burger and fries and a shake at the famous Sno Cap Drive-In. We were getting a head start on checking the box of one of our annual summer traditions. The result was a father-son weekend with another valuable memory as we both grow closer to God and each other. While the trip was short and simple, the experience still required intentional planning. We budgeted for gas money, suspect nutrition, along with other needed supplies. We plotted our itinerary, making sure we used our limited time to its full. I imagine most families have similar stories that celebrate family time in the summer. In the same way, making plans to grow as disciples of Jesus Christ requires intentional planning as well. Meaningful growth and valuable memories rarely happen by accident. And while a blackberry milkshake may provide a spontaneous pleasure and perhaps conversation for a mild memory, growing as a family of believers has an even greater return. There are many resources available to make this a summer with no regrets. Here are a few that come to mind: The Action Bible Answers in Genesis Kids Focus on the Family Summer Adventure Kits Stand to Reason Apologetics Resources Bible in 90 Days Top Ten Books for Christian Teenagers Equally important as the content of the resource is the creation and commitment to a plan. As we enter the month of June, consider sitting down with your family and map out your summer. Consider both destinations outside of Salem and the destination of growing closer to God. "Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you!" (James 4:8a) A popular and healthy trend is moving among families of pre-teens teens called "Wait Until 8th." According to their website, the "Wait Until 8th pledge empowers parents to rally together to delay giving children a smartphone until at least the end of 8th grade. Let’s protect the elementary and middle school years from the distractions and the dangers of a smartphone. Banding together helps decrease the pressure to have a phone at an early age. Ten years old is the average age children get their first smartphone. You can change this!"
The founders describe how "parents feel powerless in this uphill battle and need community support to help delay the ever-evolving presence of the smartphone in the classroom, social arena and family dinner table. Link arms with other parents to wait until at least the end of eighth grade for a smartphone!" An effective starting strategy is for parents to begin having intentional discussions about their family media plan while their children are still young. Our kids grow up fast! Without a plan, often unintended unhealthy influences can be introduced into our homes. Presenting a thoughtful consistent plan to children early on can help temper future disagreements regarding the timing of smartphone ownership. Expanding these conversations with other families your children spend time with can also be immensely fruitful. So often we as parents feel like we are parenting on an island, combatting the secular culture on our own. Developing a community built upon similar values and principles is so helpful for encouragement and accountability. While our children may disagree with our strategies at times, their experience of receiving care, structure, and safety certainly transcends any selfish or hurt feelings. Still, it isn't easy. I value my personal "me" time and devices in our home allow others to be largely distracted and stay out of my way (I'm only human). But to combat this unhealthy reality, we have strict time usage and a restricted schedule on the smartphone I have entrusted to my 16-year-old son. Regularly he and I are forced to re-engage with one another in meaningful ways when his smartphone access has come to an end. Whether it is "Wait Until 8th" or some other strategy, failure to plan is planning to fail. Today's children require time reserved for play, inquiry, discussion, exploration, and dare I say, "boredom." As our friends from "Wait Until 8th" understand, "Childhood is too short to waste on a smartphone!" |
Adam Kronberger
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