The New Generation

Daughter- Why is the sky blue daddy?

(Dad rocks a little bit back and forth.)

Dad- (whispering to himself) Let’s see ….it has to do with Rayleigh scattering. How to explain that?

(Buzz. Buzz.) (Looks down at phone.)

Daughter- Daddy?

Dad- Huh. Oh right. Um.... no she would not understand.  Hmm…

 (Dad squirms a little bit.)

Dad- Well sweetheart, you see the sky is like a mirror. Yeah…. a mirror.  It is just a reflection of the ocean.

Daughter-Ohhhhhhhh

Dad- (Whispering to himself) I’ll explain it to her better when she is older. (Sigh.)

Daughter- Why can’t girls and boys play on the same sports team?

(Jolts up.)

Dad- (Stuttering.)Well you see girls and boys are different.

(Girl looking at her phone.)

Daughter- Different?

Dad- Well not different…. But a little different.

( Dad Squirms.)

Daughter- A little different?

(Buzz. Buzz.)

Dad- Well you will see when you are older.

(Buzz. Buzz.)

Message for Readers

I want to start with saying that this little skit is not an attack on fatherhood. This does not happen in every father/ daughter relationship or parent/ child relationship for that matter. However, it does help illustrate what I am trying to get at. I find that communication between a parent and their child is becoming a lot harder.

This era has children AND parents texting while talking to one another. Eye contact on all levels decreasing. Parents shying away from tough topics, from what I can only infer as a lack of communication tools on their part.

In the skit, the dad makes excuses for not really delving into the real facts of his daughter’s questions.  In addition, the daughter’s constant glance at her phone makes it so she doesn’t truly listen to all her father is saying. I would imagine if she did she would ask follow up questions, and pressure her father to give more concise answers.

I find the communication between the past generation and new generation so important. There are so many lessons to be learned and taught. What is going to happen to this new generation if these lessons can’t/aren’t being handed down?

I’d totally love to hear if any of you have any input about what is going on in regards to communication.