Like many young people, when I entered my teenage years my tastes in music diverged from that of my parents as I began searching for sounds that resonated with my swirling thoughts and emotions.

My mom took the time to engage with me, not as critic of my current taste in musical form but as someone curious to learn. She would ask me what I liked and why I liked it. She would even sit and listen to the latest bands I had “discovered.”

Looking back I sometimes call into question my musical taste, but what I can’t call into question is the love my mom had for me. She made the effort to engage with me where I was regardless of what she happened to think about my music.

Oftentimes “parental engagement” is as simple and profound as taking a few minutes to talk to your kids about something they are interested in. Not because you happen to like what they like but because you like them. The action of taking a little time can speak volumes without saying a word.

Part three of a four part series on parental engagement.

Part 1 – Ben Carson: The Power of Parental Engagement
Part 2 – Parental Engagement: Research Says It’s Important
Part 3 – Parental Engagement – Music
Part 4 – 3 Tips for Parental Engagement