Normally on Mondays I like to post a challenge to all of you, but since it’s a holiday (sort of) so I don’t have a lot of time to write, I am just going to share an amusing conversation I had with my 12 year-old daughter, Jenna, this morning.
The setting: My car. We are trying to find a radio station we both agree on.
Jenna: I don’t get why you like classic rock. I mean, I’m not saying it’s bad, I jut don’t know why you think it’s good.
Me: Really? Well, I don’t get why you think Justin Beiber is good.
Jenna: Don’t change the subject! Tell me what’s good about classic rock.
Me: So many things are good about it, but one thing is, it’s authentic and real… it’s written from the heart, by people who are rebelling against authority and the establishment, people who are feeling and expressing real emotions, like anger and rage and love and desire.
So, what’s so good about Justin Beiber?
Jenna: (A pause as she struggles for words.) Justin Beiber’s music is really catchy?
I suppose we will never really agree. I remember being a kid and thinking my parents’ music was so hopelessly old fashioned (Elvis Presley? I mean come on, it was the 70′s, there were so many better options than the old-timers station!).
I am reminded of another conversation I had recently, this one with my 10 year old son, Matt:
The setting: Our kitchen, while I am cooking dinner.
Matt: Mom, what is this music?
Me: It’s Rage Against the Machine, honey.
Matt: Well can you turn it OFF please?
During conversations like this, I really wonder where it was I went wrong. I raised these kids listening to the Rolling Stones and the Who and Neil Young! Wait a minute, are they rebelling against me? Is this their way of saying that I am hopelessly uncool, their way of asserting their independence from their old and out-of-touch mother?
Perhaps, instead of my usual music, I should start blasting Justin Beiber while I cook dinner. I bet they won’t like him so much after that.