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It's natural, like sin is natural, to be a hypocrite. We spend our lives growing (and groaning) in Grace to lessen the frequency and degree by which we subtly lie with our behavior by conflicting what we have declared and what people know by our beliefs how we are "suppose" to behave.Technology and parenting is no small matter. It's huge.
So, grandson, Taylor, gave you a video last week. So-so compared to profession adult video, but the core of his message was, "Don't get caught by spending too much time on the computer."
GROUNDED!!
It was somewhere after "the chat" (note: face to face, not texted) that Dad and Mom recited the current version of "This is going to hurt us more than it hurts you." Riiiight! That's a discussion on hypocricy for another time. Now Dad was going to monitor keystrokes, Mom was going to have to assure that online homeschool was on the screen, nothing else. Not "bad" things, but way too much good things. It's part of growing up to know the dif.
This is grandfather hypocrite speaking. I'm 600 miles away, but next door. Sorta. I'm online for the book--well, SUPPOSE to be--all day long. Then, how's come it's not done? Because I get sucked in, too. I say I don't, of course. Then how come this post? So now we have an interesting generational leveler: Internet (and sister smart phones, texting, et al). I'm, technically five generational cultures away from Taylor; 58 years. Mom and Dad have said things to me (Matt is co-author of Generational Fathering) by way of thinly veiled snide remarks. I pretend I don't notice Cari's eyes roll with a slight, knowing, devastatiing grin, the kind people who know the truth can do when a loved one is, well, "fibbing." Same eye roll from 25 years ago, but different content.
Now we're back to technology as master and slave. Taylor has become the slave. Popi, too, but no one's watching, and I can alway stay up late to get my work done. So, let me ask, dad. Have you considered and do you fear the impact of technology-driven social connections. If you're a young dad, it's probably ok, you have come through the thickets. Older and "grand" dads have to take the initiative to be part of the solution, vice part of the problem by not know.
OK. Next step. What's the logical fathering conclusion? Remember, enduring truth supporting godly behavior is legacy. But, it's gotta be monitored. That's life. Even this marvelous kid who just passed through a Year of Passage, studies the Bible with his Dad each Tuesday morning need to be monitored. They don't always do what you EXPECT, they do (or don't do as in "time online") what you INSPECT.
It's gentle proposition that ends this where we began: GROUNDED because, "It's natural, like sin is natural, to be a hypocrite"...and it's cousins...getting away with just a little bit, pretending to be on a homeschool sight, going where you know you shouldn't go."
DID YOU THINK I WAS JUST TALKING TO TEENS AND KIDS? NOPE THIS IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY SCOLDING POST. (Now can I get back to writing the book?)