Parent’s Corner

Teenage Workaholic, A Love Story by Cody Surratt:

Teenage Workaholic: A Love Story

Recently I taught a series titled "The Laws of Motion," which tackled what I believe to be one of youth's biggest problems: busyness. It's amazing that this generation is so busy, so involved in extracurricular activities, and has some of the highest grades of any generation, yet is also so stressed out! I'm convinced after meeting with hundreds of students and families that this generation is far too busy and their priorities are way off target. Let me explain.

Success = Love

If you look at our society, TV, movies, school, and even parents, they are all teaching that success is what is most important. Somehow we have equated success with love. At the end of the day every parent and student wants to feel loved and to share Love. So, since society has decided love comes through success (and I'm referring to financial success), then to be successful, you have to be busy. If you're going to get in to that college, you need tough classes and good grades; if you want to be that athletic star, you have to be on three different teams; and the list goes on and on. So the new equation is

Busyness = Success, and Success = Love.

But, what happens when we achieve all our financial and career goals and our marriages still fall apart? Or our kids can't stand being around us?

Or we are so use to being busy we turn into workaholics with no family values? Yikes! It's a scary thought!

Redefining Success:

What I believe needs to happen is we need to refocus and redefine what a successful life looks like. In 5, 10, 20 years what are your children's lives going to look like that is successful? I don't think any parent thinks success for their kids will be divorce, messed up kids of their own, workaholics, etc. But unless we start making Christ a priority and making our kids understand that success is a different equation: Success = Being a Fully Devoted Follower of Christ. When this looks like success, everything else falls into place.

Here are a couple quick examples:

  • Church attendance is the most important predictor of marital stability and happiness (Heritage.org)
  • Religious belief and practice contribute substantially to the formation of personal moral criteria and sound moral judgment. (Heritage.org)
  • Religious observant youth are less likely to get involved in Drugs or Alcohol (Allprodad.com)
  • Regular practice of religion is good for personal physical health. It increases longevity, improves one's chances of recovery from illness, and lessens the incidence of many killer diseases. (USA Today)
  • Church attendance boosts student GPAs (liveScience.com)

It is time that we redefine and refocus this next generation to what real success is. It's a huge task that lies in front of us, but you have the opportunity to make an impact, and you can start with your student.

Let's make this next semester be one that is defined successful by connections in Lifegroups, serving in our community and participation during worship.

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