On March 26, the Niagara Catholic Parent Involvement Committee (formerly Niagara Catholic Regional School Council) held its 13th Annual Catholic School Council Spring Convention. The keynote speaker was Teresa Tomeo, a veteran broadcast-journalist, author and syndicated Catholic talk show host. The focus of Teresa’s address was “Raising Children and Social Networking: Silencing the Distraction and Getting Closer to God and Faith.”

Teresa had much to say about the influence of the media in our digital age. With instant access to information, the media has a greater influence than ever before on what we see and hear and how we interpret that information. I listened to Teresa’s message with my parent ears and my parent heart because I want to help my family navigate through the mixed messages of a society that too often panders to the lowest common denominator rather than rising up to the highest levels of truth, honesty, integrity and compassion. Our children are bombarded every waking moment with images that make them question their own goodness. “Do unto others before they do unto you!”, “Get it all and get if fast!”. With the proliferation of YouTube, kids believe that their own 15 minutes of fame is only a click away. They believe that almost anything posted on FaceBook or Twitter must be true because “everybody” is talking about it.

Teresa very wisely reminded us that “Moms and Dads matter!” Parents make a difference in how their children absorb the world around them. She reminded us that the media is not all bad and new media is a powerful and positive tool. By bringing media (TV, movies, newspapers, internet) providers into our homes that promote truth and morality we can give our children balance and perspective. Teresa spoke of 3 questions that we as parents need to ask ourselves:
1. How do our media habits impact our relationship with God?
2. How do our media habits impact our relationships with family?
3. What can we do about media influence?

The gist of her response was this: “As parents, we are the primary educators of our children. Both church and school are there to offer support but when our children are seeking answers and looking for truth they will come to us first.” When God’s truth is our truth and when we speak that truth from a place of love, the answers are clearer.

In relating this message to my own parenting I think about how different my daughters are. They often seem to be polar opposites in their thinking, their perspective and their methodology, yet in they will both achieve their goals because of the path they take. They have been exposed to both the best and the worst that the media has to offer because I have not and I will not blindfold them from what is out there in the world. They know how to distinguish trash from truth and when they are unsure we talk about it. I am present in their lives. I am there for them. I listen to their questions. I count on God’s truth to clear the path for them. They will find their fame and fortune because they work hard with honesty, integrity and compassion. They take advantage of opportunities not people.

I just received an unexpected card from my daughter Nikki. It could not have come at a better time. Apparently this coming Sunday is Mothering Sunday in the UK and she wanted to share that with me. The front of the card reads “Wherever I go, whatever I do, knowing you’re there for me has always made the difference” Inside, among many loving words she wrote “… Thank you for listening…”

Thank you Teresa Tomeo for speaking out loud the truth that God speaks silently in my heart. Thank you for reassuring me that what I do as a parent matters in the lives of my children. Thank you Nikki and Sam for confirming that same truth through the way you have chosen to live in this digital world. Most especially thank you God for the strength to break through the noise so that I can listen and find your love in the silence.

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