They Might Not Appear to be Listening, But They Are

My older two kids are definitely at the age where they don't really want to spend time with me, don't want to talk to me, don't even want to register any sort of interaction with me.  Higher in their food chain than quality time with me are friends, screen time, and gossiping with each other.  I get that, and I don't get bent out of shape.

But I don't for one second doubt that they aren't still listening to me.  Sure, maybe I have to bribe them with a trip to Hershey.  But you best believe that on the way to and from, as well as circulating throughout, we had conversations.  They might have been one-way at times, but talk we did, about money and God and sex and cities and race and careers.

We talk about less deep stuff too, of course.  Not all conversations can be cranked up to 11 in terms of imparting important life lessons.  But, as their dad, I'm not their friend, so it's not my job to just chit chat about music and food and the weather.  It's also my job to offer straight talk, serious talk, "this is your life" talk.

They will tell you I haven't minced words.  I can't afford to; I know my time with them under my roof is short, and the stakes are high.  They will also tell you I am not deterred by headphones, eye rolls, and scoffing.  I know they don't want me to think they're listening.  But I know they're listening.