THE FAMILY THAT DINES TOGETHER...

Hi Friends!

Today's "WTF?" © stevenn beck

From the moment my daughter was born I would have conversations with her. Of course in the early days I had to do both her part and my own part of the conversation (which I sometimes think may have been preferable: i.e.. think of it: no "DADDY! YOU'RE EMBARRASSING ME!" or "DADDY! PLEASE STOP TELLING SILLY JOKES!" etc etc. but rather a lot of "DADDY! YOU'RE SO SMART- YOU KNOW EVERYTHING!")

I would like to think that much of her later academic success is rooted in the fact that her mom and myself carried on age-related conversations whenever we interacted with her. In addition, by conversing with her as a fellow-human being - which of course she is - we provided her with a certain sense of security regarding her place in the universe. I know that - growing up - she felt that she was an important, valued and equal family member. Good! Job well done…

Flash-forwarding through the years to this morning: I went somewhere for breakfast on my way to the gym. There were 5 families.

The parents at each table were all busy on their cell phones. The children were either using tablets or their own cell phones. (Watching videos and/or playing games.) One older boy looked exceptionally happy while he looked at his tablet and he sat away from the other family members. (I assumed that he was watching some porn.) There was NO family interaction. NO discussion. And no one can tell me this was a one-time occurrence…

All I can say is: "WTF?"