September 2009 Family Advocate

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Sheridan House Family Ministries 1700 S. Flamingo Road, Davie, FL 33325 (954) 583-1552 • shfm.org

A publication of Sheridan House Family Ministries 1 7 0 0 S o u t h F l a m i n g o R o a d • D a v i e , F L 3 3 3 2 5 • ( 9 5 4 ) 5 8 3 - 1 5 5 2 • w w w. s h f m . o r g

p arenting “social networking and the

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Your contributions are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law. A copy of the official registration and financial information may be obtained from the Division of Consumer Services by calling toll-free (1-800-435-7352) within the state. Registration does not imply endorsement, approval, or recommendation by the state. Sheridan House Family Ministries registration number is CH24786.

“If You Know What I Mean and I Think You Do”

rosem a ry ba r nes Please join us as we study God’s Word and learn how to Face Our Giants

Tuesdays, 7:00-8:30 pm Sept 15 thru Nov 17, 2009 Sheridan House Family Ministries 1700 South Flamingo Road, Davie, FL 33325

Register online at: www.sheridanhouse.org Or by phone: (954) 583-1552

Honoring Christ by serving the needs of children and families

September 2009

A Note From Bob -

September 2009 Prayer Calendar

The Use of Social Media Dear Family Advocate, This month’s issue of The Family Advocate touches on one of the more current issues affecting the family - the use of Social Media and how it affects our kids. The lingo and acronyms alone are overwhelming. However, when you peel back the layers of the technology, the same parenting truths are still in effect. We still need to battle for family time and fight the interruptions.

Our intent at Sheridan House is to come alongside parents by providing insight to the pertinent issues today’s families face.

To that end, our goal is to use social media tools to disperse a sound parenting plan that addresses these new challenges…from a Biblical perspective.

Sun

Celebration Banquet on Thursday, November 12th

Signature Grand Banquet Hall at 7:00pm

Golf Tournament on Friday, November 13th Palm-Aire Country Club (Oaks & Cypress Courses) 7:30am and 1:00pm shot gun start

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Please Pray for Residential Kids...

Alicia J.

Devin B.

Hailey H.

John H.

Jonny D.

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Ferdinand P.

Michaele M.

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Emma R.

I invite you to check out my new blog at www.P911blog.org which launches this month.

I will offer practical parenting tips, answer the tough questions, and discuss timeless parenting truths.

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Gregory D.

Today’s families are facing real issues and are looking for real answers. This blog will be current, relevant, and applicable. Sheridan House is here to help today’s parents and it is our hope that you will join us in the morning as we start the day together with a cup of coffee and www.P911blog.org.

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Ricardo M.

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Visit www.shfm.org/golf for registration and sponsorship information.

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Mario O.

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Hunter P.

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Alexis O.

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Heaven W.

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Dayton E.

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John V.

Savannah S.

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Jean L.

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Nashally S.

Angel A. M.

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Cassandra D.

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Angel F. M.

Brandon S.

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Sheridan House Family Ministries 1700 S. Flamingo Rd. • Davie, FL 33325 (954) 583-1552 • SHFM.org

Lenny G.

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Jordan B.

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Tatiana P.

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Alexandria H.

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Chris L.

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Alex S.

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Malik E.

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“If You Know What I Mean and I Think You Do”

By Scott Barrett

Our college age son has been home from school the past few weeks and I said something to him that he thought was funny (which is pretty unusual) and his response was, “LOL.” That’s what he actually said out loud.

Usually when people LOL me, it’s online, and they mean “laugh out loud,” informing me that I have amused them.

Call me old-fashioned, but if someone writes something that is funny and I feel the need to tell them that I thought it was funny, I’ll write what we people over the age of 40 call a “complete sentence.” For instance, “That was very funny,” or (and I realize I’m getting all English-technical here) “Ha ha!”

There is another term he likes to use when we play our semiannual video game on the computer which is he “pwned” me, meaning he has defeated me in battle by an extra-ordinary manner. How exactly “pwned” means that, I have no idea; but it does.

Judge: “Are you speaking English?”

Defendant: “IDK.” Judge: “What?”

Defendant: “LOL! LMSO!” Judge: “Cut that out.”

Defendant: “K.” Is that where we’re headed as a society – acronyms in our verbal conversations? IDK (I don’t know), but I certainly hope not.

At this point our conversation turned a little more serious when he informed me of a few key acronyms that as a parent I should have been aware of 5 or 6 years ago. Better late than never, I guess.

P911 PA PAL PAW PANB

That resulted in a great conversation about kids (and those twenty somethings) and how they like to use acronyms in the massive quantities of texting they do with each other daily.

He started quizzing me with the easy ones, at first - just to see how far behind I was.

Parents are coming!

Parent Alert Parents are listening Parents are watching Parents are nearby

“BTW dad, IDK if you realize; you’re my BFF!” I was lost on his opening statement and obviously in over my head, not to mention worried at what he had just called me to my face.

BTW (By the way) dad, IDK (I don’t know) if you realize; you’re my BFF (best friend forever).

After a few more acronyms, in which I still had no clue of what they meant, he looked at me and said BRB (meaning “be right back”). He stumped me so bad on that one he was back before I figured it out, at which point he LOLed me.

Upon his return he shared a humorous blog post between a judge and a teenage defendant: Judge: “Do you understand the charges against you?”

Defendant: “YIU.” Judge: “Come again?”

Defendant: “I said YIU.”

As parents, I don’t know if we need a super decoder ring for texting acronyms or not, but I do think we should have the insight to know the basics of how our kids are communicating. When I was younger, if my father asked me who I was talking to on the phone, I was expected to give him a straight answer. Today as parents, we should not only be willing to ask our kids, “Who are you texting,” but just as importantly, “What are you texting?”… and JS (just stuff) is not a valid answer.

Back-to-School Wrap-Up

By Miriam Duame

With bright eyes and a huge smile that revealed his excitement, little 6-year old Benjamin proudly marched up to a volunteer greeting him and his mom at the door and exclaimed, “Today, I get my back pack!” There was nothing else we could do other than escort them immediately into the room where over 800 backpacks were on display. Overwhelmed and overjoyed, Benjamin captured the heart of every volunteer with his infectious smile and world concurring attitude.

Benjamin was only one example of the fun and excitement shared by hundreds on Saturday, August 8th, at the Sheridan House Backto-School event for single parent families. The morning began bright and early; and those waiting in line were treated to bagels and chicken biscuits from Offerdahl’s Cafe & Grill and Chick-fil-A. Once inside, the children were greeted by the famous “Mother Goose” and her face painting team. Kids were beaming with the colors of angels and the webs of Spiderman.

Next stop was the Sheridan House “Hair Salon” which turned out cool cuts along with balloons and lollipops! Not every kid was excited to get their summer hair cut short; however, there were many parents relieved to see one less budget item on their already tight account. The world class group of stylists present all volunteered their Saturday to help those in need and made the “Hair Salon” a true hot spot!

The last stop for the kids was to the backpack room where hundreds of colorful, high quality backpacks awaited their new owners. Each pack was filled with the necessary supplies for a great start to the new school year. In addition to the supplies, our friends at OneHope provided each student with a copy of the Book of Hope for their appropriate age level. Each book addresses several of the issues the kids will face along with Biblical truths on how to tackle them. All in all, it was a great day of laughter, sharing, hugs, and smiles!

Scott

Most importantly, we want to thank you, our donors, for your generous support. Without your involvement, this Back-to-School event for underprivileged youth would not have been possible. Hundreds of South Florida youth and their parents are not only equipped for the start of the school year, but also realize that people in our community care enough to help them in their time of need - all through the love of Christ!

For a more complete list of today’s texting acronyms and for clues as to what the defendant said to the judge, please visit our website at www.shfm.org/textacronyms

“And let our people also learn to maintain good works, to meet urgent needs...” (Titus 3:14).

JM2C (just my two cents),

parenting and the “social networking child” Pages

Dr. Bob Barnes has posted a note. a few moments ago Comment • Like We’ve been receiving more and more questions on the topic of “social networking” and, more specifically, many parents have asked whether or not social networking is a bad thing for their kids.

When the topic of social networking comes to mind, most parents assume that we’re talking about Internet sites like Facebook, MySpace, & Twitter, not to mention the mobile technologies which allow kids to keep in touch using a little device they carry in their purse or back pocket.

It’s important to bring some clarity to the definition of this topic. Social Networking is not new! It has been going on since the beginning of mankind! Social Networking happens when two or more people get together to discuss experiences, give and receive advice, or introduce others to a community of people.

The folks at The Coleman® Company, who make outdoor equipment, have a cute commercial claiming to be the “original social networking site.” Who doesn’t have a fond memory of sharing stories with friends while sitting around one of their lanterns? They credit their lanterns for bringing people together for decades.

The Internet and the rapidly expanding tools like Facebook, Twitter, or even simple text messages are changing how we communicate. These tools are collectively Social Media. The bigger issue at hand is not whether social media is good or bad; but rather to what extent should we allow the use of this new social media in our individual family’s life?

Status Updates Photos Links

Among the many tools on the Internet, Facebook is probably the most popular with more than 200 million active users worldwide.

Developed by a Harvard student looking to network with his peers, it is one of the fastest growing and best known sites on the Internet today. Perhaps many of you have found this networking tool to be fun and interesting.

Facebook is a great way to connect with friends and former classmates. As enjoyable as it is for the majority of its users, there are some people (both adults and kids) who spend countless hours every day posting every seemingly minute detail about themselves on their Facebook page while blasting tons of nonsense to their “hundreds of friends” over the web. One has to wonder how much of their time spent “updating their Facebook status” could be spent communicating with their immediate family and their Father in Heaven.

Today, we have reached a point where parents are making the joke that the only way they can communicate at dinner with their kids is by texting or posting on their Facebook page (while sitting at the same table)! That statement, although it may be a bit exaggerated, is so sad and yet it gets lots of laughs.

We have incredible access to instant electronic communication, but most of us haven’t yet figured out the balance for ourselves or the boundaries for our children and teens.

Here are some helpful steps for each family to figure out the “communication balancing act.”

Dr. Bob Barnes has posted a link. a few moments ago Comment • Like

http://p911blog.org/

View all 8 comments... 87 people like this.

Amy What a great resource for parents with teenagers!

Chuck I recommend checking it every day!

First, recognize there should be concentric circles of relationships in each family member’s life with God in the center and the immediate family as the next circle. Those are the people who should receive our undivided attention. The next circle out might contain some of your very closest friends and relationships. Even those, however, need boundaries. The outer circles are where your acquaintances, classmates and business associates should reside.

media tools can become a great help. With this technology, we can reach more and more people with the casual and relaxed aspect of communicating and keeping in touch. However, we can’t allow those in our outer circles to monopolize our reserved time and attention away from those in our inner circles.

If you find the kids, or yourself for that matter, devoting endless hours to maintaining network connections through social media tools, it’s time to step back, prioritize, and draw some concentric circles of your relationships. Parents can’t expect the kids to cut back on the social networking any more then we can expect them to cut back on television or eating cookies. It’s the parent responsibility to set the example and set the restrictions.

Next, we, the family leaders (parents), need to decide the frequency and manner of communication that is acceptable. During one’s personal quiet time or when the family is together, all other distractions (including phones, email, Internet, and other electronic devices) should be turned off. This will validate the importance each person in the innermost circles holds in our lives, and will allow us to listen not only with our ears, but also with our hearts. They deserve our focus and intimate time.

From the album: parenting and the social networking child

by Dr. Bob Barnes

As we make our way out through the circles of relationships, this is where those social

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