The other day I went into my daughter’s room. Often she invites me to sit on her bed, then she gives me an update of her day or we are just there next to each other; each writes or reads her manuscript.

Again, I was looking forward to her so much, and didn’t pay attention to her wanting her peace. So she said, “Not now, later.”

I ignored that at first.

She then asked harmlessly, without me being able to guess what followed:

“Do you want to know what I’m doing?”

I, relieved that she understands me and at the same time curious about her answer, said “Yes” with joy.

My daughter knows how to build tension. So she turned her laptop towards me and typed this question into Google, so I followed exactly what she was doing:

“How do I get rid of my mom?”

I looked at her in surprise. She laughed heartily and added:

“Mom you know, there are answers”

I understood them. We both laughed again, and I respected their privacy.

Although our anecdote caused laughter in the family, this situation reminded me that it:

– it has never been easier to ask questions anonymously and get the answers.

And for this reason, it is more important than ever to think about what answers we give young people, as in this example.

Of course, I was curious and then looked up what questions and answers there are in this context.

In my last live broadcast with Rahman Jamal, he also emphasized the importance of not leaving the field (such as social media) to others who may convey different values.

Nor can we forbid our children to search for their answers on the Internet, but we can be close to them, so that they prefer to receive these answers from us or even need to ask such questions.

When it comes to that, whether online or offline, then I am asked, no matter to whom, to take responsibility for my messages and answers as well as for solutions.

Diversity and responsibility go hand in hand. There is no WE when we blame. Everyone can take the first step towards a new WE.

All the more I was happy about this statement this week from a reader:

“Susan, you write in such a way that I, as a German, don’t have to be ashamed. I feel invited to join the discussion. I was not aware of many things.”

And Rahman Jamal has also succeeded in doing so with his book “Der Mann ohne Muttersprache” (The Man Without a Mother Tongue). More on that next Sunday.

Do you also leave the field to others?