July 2010
CBC McKinney 
Generation "Y" or is it Generation "Why"??
by Christy Billings, MS, LPC
 

Move over Baby Boomers and Generation "X"ers, there is a new kid in town, Generation "Y." This new generation includes individuals born between 1979- 2003, today's young people. They are also known as the "Millennials,"  "Net Generation" and "Nexters."  Let's explore who makes up this generation and what are their characteristics, strengths, weaknesses.

 
The events of our world culture have shaped the members of Generation "Y".  Just as the development of the motor vehicle changed the world in the 20's and the "Great Depression" shaped the morals of individuals born in the 30's, digital technology has immersed Generation "Y." They have grown up being able to exchange information all the time and in all locations. Social networking is a standard form of communication and thus open sharing of information, photographs and other personal information gives the concept of "open lines of communication" a whole new meaning. Other historical events that have shaped their views and values. During the lifetime of this generation they have known a nation that has been at war, they have witnessed multiple terriost attacks to their country and their people, with the Twin Towers being the most notable memory of destruction. They strongly value safety and security.
 
Millennials are often seen as sheltered and over-indulged. As children they experienced an era that came with a great deal of encouragement and positive reinforcement. They have received trophies, ribbons and accolades for their efforts in sports, music, academics and often not just for winning, but for simple participation. This generation was enrolled in organized groups at a very young age, often beginning soccer, baseball, tumbling and dance at ages as young as 4 years old.

 

Parent Tip - The Middle School Years and School Relationships
 
Child:
  • Feels good about school
  • Is accepted by classmates and teachers
  • Is included in group activities
  • Joins school clubs, teams, or other school activities
  • Cooperates with school rules and routines
  • Responds positively to guidance from teachers
  • Seeks help when needed
 
Parents:
  • Help child feel confident about school (visit classroom, meet teachers before school starts)
  • Have expectations that match child's abilities
  • Provide help or guidance with school tasks
  • Encourage child's interests in school activities
  • Become involved at school (field trips, PTA)
  • Talk with child's teachers regularly
  • Encourage child to invite classmates home to play
 
When to Seek Help
 
If your child:
  • Is worried or fearful about school; refuses to go to school
  • Often has headaches or stomach pains on school mornings
  • Has problems with classmates, teachers, or school work
  • Feels "different," rejected, or left out
  • Acts out in class or on the playground
  • Likes to "hang out" with classmates who get into trouble
  • Gets "picked on" or bullied at school or play
  • Refuses to follow school rules and routines
  • Loses interest in school (grades, friends, activities) 
 
Or if you, as parents:
  • Observe that your child does not have friends or playmates at school
  • Get calls or reports from teachers with concerns about your child's behavior
  • Expect your child to achieve more than she seems able to do
  • Notice a change in your child's school performance, such as a drop in grades
     
 Attributed - Sir Francis Drake - 1577
 

Disturb us, Lord, when
We are too well pleased with ourselves,
When our dreams have come true
Because we have dreamed too little,
When we arrived safely
Because we sailed too close to the shore.

 

Disturb us, Lord, when
With the abundance of things we possess
We have lost our thirst
For the waters of life;
Having fallen in love with life,
We have ceased to dream of eternity
And in our efforts to build a new earth,
We have allowed our vision
Of the new Heaven to dim.

 

Disturb us, Lord, to dare more boldly,
To venture on wider seas
Where storms will show your mastery;
Where losing sight of land,
We shall find the stars.

 

We ask You to push back
The horizons of our hopes;
And to push into the future
In strength, courage, hope, and love.

 
 
We welcome your feedback
 
Like or dislike something in our newsletter? We'd like to know. Please email us at newsletter@cbcmckinney.com.
 
 
Volume 3 : Issue 7
CBC McKinney 
In This Issue
Generation "Y" or is it Generation "Why"??
Parent Tip
Sir Francis Drake Poem
Feedback
Marriage Tip
Verse of the Month
Quick Links
Exercise: Nurturing Fondness in Your 
Relationship - WEEK 7
Adapted from: 10 Lessons to Transform Your Marriage, by
John M. Gottman, Ph.D., Julie Schwartz Gottman, Ph.D., and Joan DeClaire; Three Rivers Press, 2006

"Have you ever had a gripe or an angry thought about your partner that you just couldn't release? Perhaps you had an argument and afterward you just kept playing that same negative thought over and over again in your mind. Or maybe you were feeling sad or angry for some other reason, but negative thoughts about your relationship kept coming up as well.

Our research shows that continually replaying negative thoughts about your partner can contribute to a downward spiral of distance and isolation in a marriage.

One solution is to train your mind to replace what we call 'distress-maintaining' thoughts about your partner with 'relationship-enhancing' thoughts. Doing so takes time and practice, but it's worth it because it can build feelings of fondness and admiration in your marriage."

We will feature a few of Gottman's tips in each of the next few newsletters. You may want to purchase a journal to write your entries in, or if you don't like writing just spend some time thinking about these topics and your ideas. It will take some time, but as someone once said, good marriages take time but bad marriages take even more time.


Here are this month's relationship-enhancing thoughts:

Think  Do
We have come a long way together. 
  
Make a list of all you have accomplished
as a team.
 
I think we can weather any storm together.
 
We enjoy each other's sense of humor.
 
 
  
Reminisce about having made it through a hard time.
 
 
Rent a comedy film. Watchi it together.    
  
Jesus said, "If you obey
my commands, you will
remain in my love, just
as I have obeyed my
Father's commands and
remain in His love.
               John 15:10
Quick Links
Find us on Facebook 
Join Our Mailing List
Copyright © 2004-2010 Center for Biblical Counseling, McKinney
1871 Harroun Avenue, Suite 300 ~ McKinney, TX 75069 ~ 214.585.4859