Texting to Your Teen’s Heart

Let’s take a glimpse into a day in the life of your teen. He might wake early, dreading the day ahead: he envisions massive amounts of school work, the high expectations of parents, teachers, coaches, friends, and his commitments with the drama club, music, etc. A sense of overwhelm has taken over before the waffle enters the toaster. He glances at his cell phone to look for a diversion, maybe some indication that the day ahead won’t be a disaster. He is looking for some fun. He expects that the message on his phone is from a friend. He reads the message, and it is from you. You’ve sent a message of encouragement, hope, humor or love. It could change the course of your teen’s day. At the very least he knows that you care about him and his day.

Congratulations! You just sent your first intentional text message!

Introduction

This book offers help to parents looking to find ways to connect with their busy, technology-focused teens. Are you struck by how little time you have to build a strong relationship with your teen? Do you want to inject more joy into your relationship? Do you see areas where your teen needs guidance?

Maybe you feel overwhelmed by the many difficult issues facing your family or discouraged by your relationship with your teen. This book is packed with information that will help enhance your relationship with your teen. If you and your teen already have a great relationship, then this will add a new depth of connection. If you and your teen are struggling, you may find that this will completely revolutionize your relationship. You will find tools to help you understand your teen more deeply, and with only a small investment of time truly revitalize your relationship. I have seen good relationships strengthened, and struggling relationships transformed.

“Intentional Texting”

Intentional Texting is a term I use to describe the commitment a parent or parent surrogate makes to send a daily text to a child he or she loves with the intention of communicating something profound.

I love the word “intentional” in this context. Intentional Texting is not a difficult or complicated process – but it is something to be done with care and attention. Our words matter. They have power. Do you remember messages of hate or hope from your childhood? Decades later there are words from my childhood that still ring in my mind. One of the great strengths of Intentional Texting is that it can be done carefully. Some of the conversations we have with our kids quickly spiral out of control into words we wish we could take back. Texting is different. While we are writing a message we can take our time and craft careful messages.

Intentional Texting need not be time-consuming. It will generally be a quick process.

Occasionally, our hearts may be burdened to send a message that communicates a subtle or tender subject and we might take some extra time to choose exactly the right words.

Intentional Texting is the perfect addition to the parenting you are already doing. You are already spending time teaching, disciplining, listening to, and coaching your child. Intentional Texting builds on the foundation you have laid with all the time and effort you have expended.

Finally, Intentional Texting is a counter-balance to what the modern culture is telling our kids. For example, we might notice that headlines and advertisements glorify the easy life, and promote sexuality. We may wish to address this by communicating to our child that hard work is its own reward, that modesty is beautiful, or that abstinence is not a choice you regret.

Intentional Texting is an opportunity to speak truth to our children with care, sensitivity and kindness.

Parents sacrifice daily for their children on multiple fronts. Parents invest money, time, energy and love in their children, but often those sacrifices are not noticed or appreciated. Remarkably, the techniques described in this book require the smallest of investments and generate tremendous returns. This book is a tool to guide a parent or a parent surrogate through the process of dramatically enhancing their connection with their teen through the use of a daily text.

This book includes: • The step-by-step process to crafting effective texts • Guidance on reflecting on your teen • A selection of the quotations that will speak to your child’s heart on critical subjects • Inspirational stories of the enormous impact parents have witnessed after utilizing this simple technique • Strategies to help you avoid pitfalls

Let’s take a glimpse into a day in the life of your teen. He might wake early, dreading the day ahead: he envisions massive amounts of school work, the high expectations of parents, teachers, coaches, friends, and his commitments with the drama club, music, etc. A sense of overwhelm has taken over before the waffle enters the toaster. He glances at his cell phone to look for a diversion, maybe some indication that the day ahead won’t be a disaster. He is looking for some fun. He expects that the message on his phone is from a friend. He reads the message, and it is from you. You’ve sent a message of encouragement, hope, humor or love. It could change the course of your teen’s day. At the very least he knows that you care about him and his day.

Congratulations! You just sent your first intentional text message!

Introduction

This book offers help to parents looking to find ways to connect with their busy, technology-focused teens. Are you struck by how little time you have to build a strong relationship with your teen? Do you want to inject more joy into your relationship? Do you see areas where your teen needs guidance?

Maybe you feel overwhelmed by the many difficult issues facing your family or discouraged by your relationship with your teen. This book is packed with information that will help enhance your relationship with your teen. If you and your teen already have a great relationship, then this will add a new depth of connection. If you and your teen are struggling, you may find that this will completely revolutionize your relationship. You will find tools to help you understand your teen more deeply, and with only a small investment of time truly revitalize your relationship. I have seen good relationships strengthened, and struggling relationships transformed.

“Intentional Texting”

Intentional Texting is a term I use to describe the commitment a parent or parent surrogate makes to send a daily text to a child he or she loves with the intention of communicating something profound.

I love the word “intentional” in this context. Intentional Texting is not a difficult or complicated process – but it is something to be done with care and attention. Our words matter. They have power. Do you remember messages of hate or hope from your childhood? Decades later there are words from my childhood that still ring in my mind. One of the great strengths of Intentional Texting is that it can be done carefully. Some of the conversations we have with our kids quickly spiral out of control into words we wish we could take back. Texting is different. While we are writing a message we can take our time and craft careful messages.

Intentional Texting need not be time-consuming. It will generally be a quick process.

Occasionally, our hearts may be burdened to send a message that communicates a subtle or tender subject and we might take some extra time to choose exactly the right words.