Oh the irony. Today as I was working in the kitchen while my boys were blasting tunes in the living room, I thought of the idea to write about why I like my teenagers’ music. As I began formulating a beautiful post in my head, my kids started playing the sound track from Lord of the Rings. This filled my shoulders and face with such tension that I thought I might say something unwholesome if I had to listen to it for one more minute.
So I guess I’d better say, I like almost all my teenagers’ music. I’m not sure why but for me, Lord of the Rings and Star Wars sound tracks are incredibly stressful tunes to hear in the background when I am trying to peacefully make a delicious lunch. I don’t even want to talk about it anymore.
What I do want to talk about is why I (mostly) like my teenagers’ music.
Why I like my Teenagers’ Music
The biggest reason I like my teenagers’ music is because well, I like my teenagers.
I determined years ago (without much effort, because I like my kids) that I will be my teenagers’ biggest cheerleader. When they are playing a sport, I will be there cheering the loudest. When they are on stage singing or performing, I will be the one in the audience with eyes glued, trying (unsuccessfully) not to cry. When they are working on a difficult assignment and the details finally click, I will be there first with a high-five, and then with a sigh of relief on their behalf. Whenever they are doing whatever it is that they are doing, I will be their biggest cheerleader.
Until they all get married and their wives step into that role. :)
So my teenagers’ music? You bet I’m going to like it.
Never, ever do I feel it is appropriate for a parent to say, “Kids these days” or “Oh, the music these kids listen to nowadays” or any such comment that alienates our kids from us and prevents them from wanting to share any part of their lives with us. Kids these days can be awesome, and so can the music they listen to. I delight in all my kids want to share with me, from their music to their musings.
More than once my kids have said, “Hey Mom, Lecrae (or Andy Mineo or Gawvi or KB or…) came out with a new song I think you’ll really like!” How honored am I that they thought of me?
So what if most of the music loudly streaming through our speakers these days is rap music? I never thought I’d enjoy it, but my kids love it and now so do I. In fact, I have learned that there is incredible talent in the presentation and fabulous creativity in the lyrics of rap music. Who knew? (Our entire family got 116 apparel for Christmas this year. These are some of our favorite artists. #notashamed)
Take time to listen to what your kids enjoy listening to.
If it isn’t clean or appropriate, obviously that’s a no-go. This is a no-brainer.
But learn to appreciate the style(s) of music your kids love. It provides many opportunities for great conversation and fun when you listen to music together. Alexa is our new best friend as she cranks out the tunes all day long that our entire family enjoys listening to together – from Christian rap artists to Lauve to Imagine Dragons.
As for Lord of the Rings sound tracks, I’ll do my best to be supportive. But maybe the boys can wait to play that one until I’m at the grocery store.