Friday Night Parents

Screen Addiction was the topic for Friday Night Parents on 13th November 2009, 7.30pm. On the sofas upstairs at the Vineyard Centre.

Many children and young people (not to mention adults) spend huge amounts of time zoned in to their screen devices. This seminar looks at the psychology of why screens are so seductive, and conversely the good things about online interaction. Then some suggestions for both proactive parenting and self-management drawn from recent psychology research, but presented in straightforward everyday language and with a faith perspective. Discussion will centre on sharing practical strategies for parenting, with the opportunity to share experiences and learning within the group.

Leading this topic is David Wallace, an IT professional who has spent several years researching and implementing the latest social network and collaboration technologies (similar to Facebook and Wikipedia) in large companies. As a parent with two tweens in a household of many screens and as a heavy screen user himself he is well-acquainted with the issues of screen addiction.

Note that the previously advertised D'fuse session will happen at a later date

All parents want to do the best for their children and at some point in every parents life there may be a time when advice, information and support may be welcome. The opportunity to meet and talk with other parents in a group situation can help to make the job of being a parent easier. Parenting is arguably the most difficult and important job in the world, but one for which people are often least prepared and supported. Each year seems to bring fresh challenges.

Friday Night Parents is an occasional event for parents of tweens and teens, meeting 2-3 times a term on a Friday night (it coincides with a youth club in the same building, but is not restricted to parents of young people in that group). Through the Vineyard locally we have access to quite a range of potential speakers and discussion leaders - parents of children older than our own and experienced professionals from a range of disciplines. And/or we might prepare this kind of topic among ourselves or use DVD input. We'd see this as being useful to everyone, whether or not they share our faith perspective. Please consider yourself invited to any you find interesting or to the whole series. There is no charge.

On the sofas upstairs at the Vineyard Centre, 5 Sheepscar Court, LS7 2BB.

Typical evenings include

Light refreshments
A short talk or story of the experience of other parents (perhaps 40 mins)
Discussions on issues relevant to parenting tweens and teens (perhaps 40 mins)
A prompt finish at 9.30pm

David Wallace, 12/10/2009