Community Connect - Week In Review: "Quieting The Noise, What Voices are Your Children Hearing the Most?"

This week’s Community Connect event explored the topic “Quieting the Noise” with guest speaker Heath Miller. As director of Inside Out, Miller leads high school ministry and programming for Browns Bridge Church.
With a focus on the voices our children hear the most and the loudest, Miller provided practical tips for how the parents of today’s K-12th graders can take a purposeful approach to the people who “speak into their children’s lives.”
 
As parent voices start to wane, particularly in the teen years, children lean into and listen to other adults. They gravitate toward those that make them feel safe, show they care, provide ongoing support, challenge them to become their best self, show them respect and give them responsibility—at times even before they’re ready, and expand their sense of possibilities through encouragement. 
 
But never fear, shared Miller, because parents can influence who those people are. Sometimes it takes another voice to say the same things parents say about the most important things in their children’s lives—just in a different way. Being thoughtful about who those relationships are with requires intentionality, but in many cases those influencers may already be plugged into their lives. They may be teachers, coaches, family members, parents’ friends, employers and small group/church leaders.
 
On average, teens spend 20 minutes of true quality time with their parents each day. Given that, it’s important to start early and really know who and where their other influences come from. To that end, Miller encouraged parents to widen their circles by expanding their support systems and inviting others in, and to be sure to encourage and thank those individuals along the way for making a difference in their children’s lives.
 
Community Connect extends a big thank you to our local business partners, including Rick Tanner’s Restaurant, which catered this week’s dinner.
 
Be sure to save the date and join us for our next Community Connect event. It will take place Wednesday, October 30 at 5:30 pm at host venue Vickery Creek Elementary. This “must see” session led by Deputy First Class Jennifer Belafi of the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office will provide fresh insights into “Protecting Your Kids.” Visit our website to learn more about the session and speaker—and to register for dinner. $5 feeds the entire family, and childcare for ages 3 and up is free!
 
To view the full calendar of 2019-2020 events, visit www.westcommunityconnect.com.