YouTube. What a phenomenon–loaded with information and a platform for upcoming star-hopefuls. At times, I’ve used the site’s biology, historical, or inspirational videos for teaching purposes in our homeschooling day. I’ve listened to a few songs posted and I’ve followed a link or two from a friend to a must-see video. But what I read about recently in a newspaper article about the trend of new YouTube videos, shocked me. Self-injury.

I knew there were graphic videos of all varieties posted on YouTube that I would never wish to view, but I had no idea of this glamorization of an issue that commonly plagues so many young people. Over 5,000 such videos were found by one psychologist and from just 100 videos focused on, the viewer count exceeded 2 million. Sheer tragedy is all that came to mind.

I think of all society’s teens and young adults struggling to make it through this difficult journey called life … many searching for answers. They need information to help and encourage them to travel in a positive direction, not give them more avenues to throw their hands up in defeat.

I know as parents we can’t overturn society’s access to these hidden dangers in an internet hub, but we can make a difference in our own families. A few years ago we chose to limit the YouTube access for our teen. It was a mutual decision we made with our daughter as we all recognized the dangers of such a wide range of information–completely unfiltered and accessible.

It’s not about isolating our children from the realities of this world, but instead teaching them positive tools to cope in life without barraging them with destructive choices displayed on a computer screen. Our daughter isn’t naïve to the realities as we talk about them openly.

There are no cookie cutter answers, but as parents we need to be informed. We need to be the source of information for our children. Society is ready to offer them a variety of solutions to their problems. Are we ready to teach healthy parameters and positive alternatives? Let’s get informed and be proactive.

“Choice not chance determines your destiny,” boasted a marquee as I drove past. I couldn’t agree more!

So often we think we are floating through life as a result of the circumstances that come our way. Not so. I heard Jerry B. Jenkins say at a writer’s conference years back, that life is 5% what you experience and 95% of how you respond to it. Very true!

No matter what we experience in life, it’s our choice as to how we respond to the rollercoaster in our lives. Each choice as well as the accumulation of those choices determines the trajectory of our lives.

What direction is your destiny heading?

With the launch of my new website, I’m excited for the new phase and season ahead of me. I always find it interesting that what I once thought was great, soon is outdated, in need of a facelift, and improving upon.

I find the same thing with parenting. I move along a certain path just fine and then my daughter goes through a new phase or I see an area of character development I can teach her to improve upon. Or what means of motivation works for a while, changes as she gets older and has a different focus. Parenting is never static.

My friends with more than one child tell me that once another child comes into the mix, what works with one, doesn’t always work with the next one. I guess it shouldn’t be surprising. As parents we’re constantly moving, growing, and changing gears. But isn’t that part of what makes the adventure?

When my daughter was young, these changes used to throw me off and frustrate me at times. I was such a planner and liked to know what’s up ahead. Over the years I’ve changed. I still like to see what’s on the horizon (if possible), but I’ve become far more relaxed in this journey and embrace each day as it comes enjoying the little things along the way. I’m more eager to try something new when one method isn’t working. I think it’s about letting go and learning along the way.

So whatever 2011 brings — a new website, a new perspective, a life change, or just a new approach with your kids, enjoy every moment. But don’t get too comfortable … things will change again soon enough.