I'm Gonna Hold My Breath

Grounded

Remember when the word grounded struck fear in us as kids. It meant we could not go outside and play. We could not ride our bikes, hang out with our friends, play in the ditch or whatever outside activity we chose for the day. Grounded still has the same meaning but is totally different in application for today’s generation. To get grounded today means you get your cell phone and video games taken away. Today’s generation is content flopping on the couch all day playing games and texting.

I recall reading a study about the growing concern for today’s generation and their lack of social skills. Their primary form of communication is electronic. Behavioral scientists are seeing signs of social disconnection in kids in their teens. Their communication skills are lacking, they are lazy and lethargic, they are missing dynamic interaction skills with people and just becoming reclusive and content as long as they can text and play video games. Heck I’ve seen people text each other in the same house rather than have a conversation. I’m sure they would be quite happy interviewing for a job over texting. Personally, I believe electronic communication to be the number one reason for miscommunication.

For all the parents out there, I’m proposing a radical change in how you ground your kids. I still think you should take away the luxuries like cars, cell phones, and games, but I think another stronger step needs to be added. The next time you ground them, why not require them to do something social and outside of the house. Help an elderly neighbor by just spending time talking with them or maybe mowing their yard. Spend time with the parents of a friend learning about them and their lives. Have them say hi to strangers in the store. Require them to document, yes on paper with a pen, what they did, who they met, and what they learned. A number of positive things come out of this exercise. They are off the couch. They are meeting new people. They are potentially helping someone. They are working on communication skills. Overall, they are giving back and contributing to the world rather than just taking from it all the time.

Grounded! Make it mean something.

Rodney - I'm Putting Myself in Timeout