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Communication is Key
Dear friends,
My seventeen-year-old son attended our volunteer gathering with my husband and I last week. We watched a documentary called “ Digital Cocaine,” by Brad Huddleston depicting the addictive nature of technology and the ill effects it has on the brain, especially the developing brain.
I noticed my son had his phone out the entire time and found out later he was taking notes. On the drive home my husband asked him what he thought about the movie. He said, “well since you asked, I took notes and have several things to share.” My husband and I looked at each other and thought, “Oh boy, here we go.”
As a youth who has grown up in this age of technology, having cell phones and computers at their fingertips, not knowing a world without it, he had some very strong opinions that contrasted with the documentary and was very passionate about sharing them.
My human nature wanted to defend the documentary that lined up with my own beliefs, but decided to just listen and hear him out. It wasn’t that I agreed with him, but I wanted to show him respect and value him and his opinion. The drive home was more than 30 minutes and he easily filled that time as he had jotted down lots of notes!
My point of this story is my husband and I had to learn this parenting technique. It didn’t come natural, especially with a very opinionated, strong-willed child. There were many years of arguing and disconnection simply because we tried to talk AT our son telling him our opinions and demanding agreement. We have since started talking WITH our son, listening to him and thanking him for sharing. This doesn’t mean we always agree or that he gets his way, it simply means we hear him and don’t dismiss what he has to share.
This was a hard lesson, but well worth it. We realized the connection and the relationship was stronger by simply listening. Don’t get me wrong, if he tried to convince us or debate an issue that put him at risk or in harms way, we absolutely put our foot down and gave a nonnegotiable answer. However, we are finding he, along with most teens just want to be heard and know their opinions have value.
We train our volunteers to be “shock proof” when students share something totally against our opinions or message. We are there to first, connect with the students and build rapport, and second to give them this positive message of healthy relationships. We can’t have them shutting down on the first day or they won’t hear anything all week.
We’ve included a great parent resource this month with more ideas on this topic of connecting. If you or someone you know is in the heart of raising a teen, maybe you could share some encouragement with them today. Communication is key in any relationship and our communication style with our youth is imperative if we are going to connect with them in order to guide them to their full potential.
Be blessed,
Sandy Sorrells
Development Director, Pure Initiative
Staff Update
And then there were four....
We are excited to introduce our newest staff member with Pure, Peggy Waggoner. Peggy is a retired English teacher and has joined our staff part-time to handle all the scheduling. As a former teacher, Peggy is the perfect fit for the scheduler position.
With the expansion of our programming and additional requests from new schools, this position became a necessity. She will be communicating with all of our educators, confirming schools and dates, scheduling volunteers, as well as preparing all materials and supplies needed for the classrooms. Please help us welcome Peggy to our team!
Peggy Waggoner, Pure Scheduler
Mid-Year Volunteer Gathering
A big thank you to Chris & Lisa Perry for opening your home for our mid-year gathering for our volunteers and families. They provided dinner and we watched an enlightening documentary on technology and its effects on the developing brain.
It’s our goal to appreciate our volunteers and provide continuing education with relevant information to help us all understand and connect with our youth in a more meaningful way.
It was a great night of fellowship, sharing stories and learning from one another!
WISH LIST
Laptops Needed (new or used) to run Power Point in Classrooms
Presentation Clickers
USB's
Laminating Machine
Student Packet Sponsors
Gift Cards to Office Depot & Staples
Classroom Instructors and Helpers
Training Date for K-2 Curriculum
Solutions (child abuse prevention program) for K-2 will be presented in every Greater Clark County Elementary School this spring and we could use some additional instructors. This program consists of a parent night and two days of classroom instruction. All training and materials will be provided.
The training date is Tuesday, 12 from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at the Pure Community Building, 1858 E. 8th Street (corner of Ewing Lane & 8th Street), Jeffersonville.
If this is an area you feel called to serve, contact Shari at 502-523-0535 or Director@connect2pure.com to secure your place in this training. School presentations will begin in March.
We believe instilling value and worth at this very young age will move closer to our vision of transforming our communities by creating a culture that embraces sexual integrity and respect for life. We'd love to have you join our team.
Be sure to share us with your church!
If would like to host Pure Design for your youth group, or to learn more or to be trained to facilitate, email puredesign@connect2pure.com.
Parent Resources
How to React When Your Teens Shock You
Blog Post by: Shaunti Feldhaun
At some point, as your children are approaching, or in adolescence, they will start pulling away from you and try to become their own person. During this time, they will likely say things you won’t want to hear , and your tendency will be to freak out. Try not to let them shock you! Try this instead:
Click here for full article.
7 Ways Predators and Porn will Target Kids in 2019 - Be Prepared Not Scared!
by Kristen Jenson and Vauna Davis | Proactive Parenting Tips
It’s time to be prepared, not scared. Armed with current intel on the current ways pornography and predators target children, you’ll be ready to protect your kids in 2019.
Click here for full article.
Digital Cocaine by Brad Huddleston
In Digital Cocaine, Brad Huddleston will replace your confusion, hesitancy and fear as it relates to the digital world with the facts that can make you and your family safer and more secure.
Whether it’s gaming, pornography, cyberbullying, or the decline in grades, you’ll get a look inside your wonderful God-designed brain to understand how it interacts with the exploding world of digital communication and how you can keep your family safe.
Click here for a preview of his Ebook
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