Jun
30
2009

Roger Butner
Thanks to David Dixon of Smart Parenting (via Twitter) for bringing this short, very practical article to my attention. I have long encouraged parents to be very pro-active in engaging television and other electronic entertainment with their children. In fact, this was the topic of my doctoral dissertation – long ago and far away. I [...]
Tags: adolescence, media, parenting, teens, twitter
Jun
29
2009

Roger Butner
I recently referred to teens and tweens in a Twitter post, and promised a forthcoming blog post on why I hate the term “Tweens.” Here it is. If you are easily offended, you might want to stop reading now. If you think it is cute to pose your pre-teens as little adults, but do little [...]
Tags: adolescence, culture, parenting, teens, texting, twitter
Jun
26
2009

Roger Butner
Parents, if your child has a cell-phone, or if you are thinking of allowing your child to have a cell-phone – you really need to be aware of the power of this electronic portal. You may think, “But, it’s just a cell-phone. What’s the big deal?” Let me assure you, it is a big deal. [...]
Tags: adolescence, culture, media, parenting, teens, texting
Jun
25
2009

Roger Butner
This year was the first time I have ever really followed the College World Series. What a great year to start! Of course, I got into it because the boys from Baton Rouge were headed to Rosenblatt. And I’m so glad I followed the whole series. It was a really wonderful experience for me and [...]
Tags: culture, discipline, friends, the journey
Jun
24
2009

Roger Butner
“Unmerited favor.” For some reason, I remember that being the classic simple definition of grace I have heard over the years of my religious experience. I would always smile and nod, and offer my intellectual agreement with this two word explanation. But truthfully, “unmerited favor” just doesn’t connect with me in any real-life kind of [...]
Tags: adolescence, HOPE, parenting, teens
Jun
24
2009

Roger Butner
A friend shared this video with me, and I am so glad to have this forum to share it with you.
Tags: freedom, the journey
Jun
23
2009

Roger Butner
Sometimes I feel like I have to face life and its struggles all alone. Sometimes I isolate my self by believing I have to do it all on my own – and then I really feel alone. And I know there are many others feeling this way. I hear it in the pain of teenagers. [...]
Tags: HOPE
Jun
20
2009

Roger Butner
Thanks so much to Trey Morgan for sharing this one with the blogosphere!
Tags: manhood
Jun
18
2009

Roger Butner
Okay folks, here is a serious slice of American adolescence today. I haven’t seen the show yet, but guess what new series is running on MTV now? “16 and Pregnant” If you find this troubling in any way, I recommend reading the books by Ron Luce and Chap Clark posthaste, and practicing what they preach. [...]
Tags: adolescence, culture, media, parenting, sex, teens
Jun
17
2009

Roger Butner
As I continue on my personal and professional quest for how to have the best possible marriage, I got a great lesson yesterday. It all started with a phone call… Well, actually, it started before the phone call, as you will see. I had just left a meeting with some friends where I had told [...]
Tags: HOPE, marriage / relationships, personal responsibility