The Songs In Your Kid’s Headphones

Do you know what the number one song on the charts is right now?

Do you know what kids are gleaning from this song?

I always find it fascinating to discover what young people are listening to in their headphones. Sadly, most parents who interact with their kids about their music only ask, “That’s song’s not one of those EXPLICIT songs, right?”

In my parent workshops I encourage parents to approach the conversation a different way. After all, that EXPLICIT tag only tells you if the song has curse words.

Take the number one song on the charts right now, Timber, by Pitbull and Ke$ha. This song is NOT EXPLICIT because it doesn’t have curse words. So it’s fair game, right?

Try Googling the lyrics. Here’s Pitbull’s opening lines:

The bigger they are, the harder they fall
These big-iddy boys are dig-gidy dogs
I have ’em like Miley Cyrus, clothes off
Twerking in their bras and thongs, timber
Face down, booty up, timber
That’s the way we like to–what?–timber…

Nice and clean, eh?

So how should parents respond?

I’ll tell you how they should NOT respond… overreaction.

Instead, turn your overreaction into interaction. Parents have an amazing opportunity to use today’s music as a springboard to discussion. The majority of today’s young people really like music. Ask a kid about their music, and chances are, you’ll probably get them talking. This provides parents with an opportunity to listen and learn about their kid.

But parents should also feel free to chime in on the dialogue. That doesn’t mean turn the dialogue into a monologue (aka, a boring speech from Dad). This means, use questions to lead them to truth.

If you don’t know where to go with this conversation, don’t worry. TheSource4Parents.com provides FREE Music Discussions on their Music Discussions page. Right now, you can find full discussions for songs in the top 10 like Timber and The Monster. Each of these free discussion guides provide questions, scripture and a wrap up.

Do you know what’s in your kid’s headphones?

CLICK HERE FOR A PEEK AT TheSource4Parents.com’s
MUSIC DISCUSSION PAGE