Does My Daughter Dress Slutty?

Posted on: 11/29/12 3:01 AM | by Jonathan McKee

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Most parents of teenage girls all have one struggle in common: the consistent battle over wardrobe!

Two weekends ago I met with a handful of youth workers, and one of them was a mom of two teenage daughters. I, a dad of two teenage daughters, was immediately engaged when she mentioned how difficult it was monitoring her daughter’s wardrobe.

She divulged, “We finally decided, no Yoga pants out of the house.”

I laughed. “I just had the yoga pants battle last week with my daughters. We established, only if they were wearing a sweater that completely covered the butt. But then when they were trying on sweaters, the argument was Continue reading “Does My Daughter Dress Slutty?”

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Parents Publicly Shame Daughter

Posted on: 11/27/12 2:30 PM | by Jonathan McKee

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We’ve all been in that awkward situation where we witness a parent publicly discipline or even shame their kid.

How far is too far?

This CNN News report reveals one couple’s approach to disciplining their teenager:

(click here if you don’t see the embedded video)

So what do you think? Was this too much? Why? What did you notice? What should have the parents done?

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My Artistic Skills

Posted on: 11/26/12 3:01 AM | by Jonathan McKee

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Every year when we break out the Christmas ornaments… my kids start making fun of my baby Jesus.

Yes. I made it… when I was about 10 years old! It was a church ornament-making party and I made this amazing Baby Jesus ornament with my excellent, artistic, ornament-making skills!

My kids weren’t impressed. In fact, they’ve come up with some really mean names for this ornament over the years.

Come on… it’s not that bad… or is it? (note the curly-cue)

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Random Thankfulness

Posted on: 11/22/12 3:01 AM | by Jonathan McKee

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A simple and short post to share some of the random things that I’m thankful for this week:

  • Old fashioned chocolate donuts
  • The feeling 5 minutes into a kayak ride when you just notice the silence
  • Encouragement from a friend when I needed it
  • Fresh water… whenever we want it!
  • Chips and salsa

    • Continue reading “Random Thankfulness”

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Americans Multi-Tasking Watching TV

Posted on: 11/20/12 7:52 AM | by Jonathan McKee

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According to Nielsen’s newest 2012 Cross Platform Report, Americans average 34 hours a week in front of the TV. The intriguing part of this is the way they’re watching TV… with a tablet or Smartphone in hand.

Now that 58% of 12-17-year-olds and 74% of young adults have smartphones in their pockets, I guess it would be silly of us to think that they aren’t going to whip those baby’s out while sitting in front of the TV. Television shows are banking on this. That’s why Continue reading “Americans Multi-Tasking Watching TV”

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Soaking in Gungor

Posted on: 11/19/12 3:01 AM | by Jonathan McKee

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This past weekend has been exhausting… and refreshing.

I had the privilege of teaching once again at the National Youth Workers Convention (NYWC), this time in Dallas. I taught two workshops, shot three training videos and went to numerous meetings. As much as I actually enjoy most of these venues… I think my favorite moment of the entire weekend was a few minutes with the band Gungor.

I have to confess, I’m not a fan of a lot of Christian music. Don’t get me wrong. I like some Christian music, we even have a rule in our house where we only listen to worship music the first and last hour of the day. So we’re always on the lookout for good worship music.

My daughters and I “homeshare” our iTunes account so we constantly Continue reading “Soaking in Gungor”

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When Words and Actions Collide

Posted on: 11/15/12 3:01 AM | by Jonathan McKee

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What is evangelism really supposed to look like today?

Feeding the poor?

Knocking on doors and sharing the Gospel?

I’m amazed how polar Christians become when discussing evangelism methodology. Half the group is passionate about sharing the Gospel with words; the other half has boarded the very popular social justice train.

Which is the correct method to point people towards Jesus? With words… or actions?

In my Real Conversations workshop at the National Youth Workers Convention this year I’m asking this question, posting each extreme point of view on opposing walls and asked people to stand in the room where they “stood” on the issue. When I did this in San Diego, people stood all over the room.

One youth worker objected. “The question is misleading!”

I smiled. Sure, we tend to favor one or the other. But the answer isn’t Continue reading “When Words and Actions Collide”

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Happy Autotuned Thanksgiving

Posted on: 11/13/12 1:32 PM | by Jonathan McKee

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I’m not really sure how to react to Nicole Westbrook’s YouTube sensation, It’s Thanksgiving. If it were a parody… it would be hilarious. But this video is as earnest as Rebecca Black’s It’s Friday, over-autotuned just the same, and perhaps even more awkward.

The It’s Thanksgiving music video (produced by the makers of Rebecca Black’s It’s Friday) offers deep insightful lyrics:

Oh oh oh it’s Thanksgiving.
We, we, we are gonna have a good time.
The Turkey, Hey!
Mash Potatoes, Hey!
It’s Thanksgiving
It’s Thanksgiving

Seriously!

Take a peek.

The internet is full of haters who are blasting this video… that is not my intent. I just want to make a few observations about this music video as a youth culture phenomenon.

1.    Today’s kids wanna be rockstars… at all cost!
A generation who was raised watching American Idol, The Voice and America’s Got Talent all see the potential for stardom. I respect those who are willing to work towards a goal, but Continue reading “Happy Autotuned Thanksgiving”

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Raising Kids When Divorce Gets Ugly

Posted on: 11/7/12 3:01 AM | by Jonathan McKee

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I have a good friend who got married recently, and one of her wedding gifts was… two teenagers.

That’s right, she married a divorced man who has partial custody of two teenagers. My friend drove out to one of my parenting workshops and told me, “I better learn this stuff quick, because I skipped diapers and Sesame Street, landing right in the middle of MTV!”

It was this friend of mine who prompted me to provide some resources for parents who were raising their kids in divorced homes Continue reading “Raising Kids When Divorce Gets Ugly”

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