Amanda Lamb: In conversation

I think if I were asked to define this moment in history, I would define it as a time when everyone is in conversation. We are in conversations about race, about health, about politics, about the economy, in ways that we never have been before. These conversations are spanning generations—and it's healthy.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not talking about vitriolic rants on social media where people bash one another and refuse to listen. I’m talking about real conversations—conversations where people listen to other points of view and are truly open to changing their own opinions.

Let’s face it, many of us have been sleep-walking for a long time, riding the wave of our American dream, working hard, playing hard, filling our calendars, filling every moment of our lives, without stopping to consider much of anything.

But the pandemic has forced us to slow down, to remember what it was like to have real conversations with people, not just exchanging a few text messages here and there. And, the protests sweeping the nation regarding racial equality are also forcing us to take a critical look at our country and have tough conversations that are long overdue.

So, what does this have to do with parenting? Everything.

For years, my friends have said: “My teenager won’t talk to me at all.” I’ve been there too. It’s true. Sometimes teenagers seem like islands that can’t even be accessed by boat.

But right now, in this moment, they are in conversation with one another about the events going on in the world. All you have to do is look at social media. As adults, we should take the opportunity to join the conversation with them. Ask them how they feel about current events. Are they concerned, curious, afraid, hopeful, hopeless? I guarantee you they want to talk about it, and in the end, you might even learn something.

Let’s model what it means to listen, to learn, to engage. Our children are watching us. I’ve said this before, but I will say it again—they are sponges soaking up everything we do and say. Never before has it been more important to tell them we may not have all the answers, but we’re willing to listen ...

Amanda Lamb is a mom of two, WRAL reporter and author of several books including some on motherhood. Find her here on Mondays.