Dear Reader:

Now I am really dating myself…but how many of you can recall having to wait to go on a date or outing until you found a dime in your purse to show your parent? I remember it well. Every girl of date-able age had to have that dime to use on a coin-operated telephone (inside a booth) in case of an emergency. (Defined by a wide range of mishaps.)

Soon the coin-operated telephones were replaced by credit cards and now even the booths are gone…the mid-eighties bade farewell to them in our country. The last country to, begrudgingly, let go has been England…after all the public red telephone booths are an iconic symbol of the country.

But don’t despair London travelers…the British have stepped up to the challenge…using good old creativity! These booths (or as the British affectionately like to call them- (“Red Telephones Boxes“) have been turned into food-stands, aquariums, inverted red sofas, libraries, toilets, and art galleries. (Just to name a few)

I love it when society steps up to create something new out of something old, especially lovingly old…in order to retain the history and story of the origin…that is the best kind of history…one that is always evolving.

I digress, however. As much as I fondly remember public telephone booths…it is the dime in the story that should have the leading role in its history. Many a baby boomer pre-adolescent and young teenager can re-tell a personal story on how that dime saved them from awkward social situations that could have easily gotten out of control.

But what about today? With all the new technology and widespread, available communication…how can young people find a way to get some help out of a sticky social situation they might find themselves in (alcohol, drugs, sex) without losing face with their peers.

The X-Plan. A friend of mine shared this new concept with me that she had received from her daughter. (Her daughter had also written a sweet note thanking her mother for helping her out of sticky situations, with no judgment, long before cell phones, IPhones, IPads, etc. came into existence.)

Here is an excerpt from an article showing you how the plan works today.

“To give our children a way out of sticky situations, we now have something called the “X-Plan” in our family. This simple, but powerful tool, is a lifeline that our kids are free to use at any time. Here’s how it works.”

“Let’s say that my youngest, Danny, gets dropped off at a party. If anything about the situation makes him uncomfortable, all he has to do is text the letter “X” to any of us (his mother, me, his older brother, or sister.) The one who receives the text has a very basic script to follow. Within a few minutes, they call Danny’s phone. When he answers, the conversation goes like this:

“Hello?” “Danny, something’s come up and I have to come get you right now.” “What happened?” “I will tell you when I get there. Be ready to leave in five minutes. I’m on my way.”

At that point, Danny tells his friends that something’s happened at home, someone is coming to get him, and he has to leave. In short, Danny knows he has a way out, at the same time, there’s no pressure on him to open himself to any social ridicule. He has the freedom to protect himself while continuing to grow and learn to navigate his world.

This is one of the most loving things we’ve ever given him, and it offers him a sense of security and confidence in a world that tends to beat our young people into submission…

………………..

So until tomorrow…Growing up is never easy but as parents we have to trust and have faith our young adolescents will make it through with God’s guidance, their parents’ support, and a loving community. Let’s be there for all our young people during this tough transition into adulthood.

“Today is my favorite day”  Winnie the Pooh

 My niece Bekah and her daughter, little Ady, came this weekend. Ady swims on a traveling team and the swimming meet was in Mt. Pleasant. So glad I have the other B&B side for just these occasions. Ady is quite a swimmer and continues to excel in this sport. Go Ady and thanks mom for supporting her with all the travel and planning that goes with it! Stay warm!