So many kids these days aren't getting to enjoy their childhood, and I'm not sure why. Is it the parents? Is it the kids they go to school with? Is it their older siblings? Is it because they're just propped in front of the TV for hours on end while their parents watch TV shows and that's all they're exposed to? Regardless of the reasons, we've already decided to not have cable or satellite television, and I've decided to TRY to listen to my soundtracks, Disney music, classical music , or even classic rock whenever I'm in the car with my kids as much as possible when they get old enough to pay attention and understand the lyrics (I'm already having withdrawals just thinking about it, so we'll see how I do with this...). We also want to read the classics together as a family, such as the Narnia series, Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan, The Hobbit, Harry Potter (they count as classics), the Fudge books and Ramona and Beezuz by Judy Blume, The Wizard of Oz...any others?
(Stepping off my soapbox)
What are your opinions on this subject? And are there any other things we can do to protect their childhood? Am I making a big deal out of nothing?
We used to read AA Milne's Winnie the Pooh books. I love how they teach about acceptance and working together to solve problems. I know at our house, my girls have a wide diversity in their musical catalog. They can just as easily sing Bon Jovi as Winnie the Pooh or Hairspray, Taylor Swift as Barney or Eclipse. I know this comes from having brothers so much older. We have been lucky that the boys have never chosen to use music as a form of rebellion and have really helped us make sure that suggestive, violent or other inappropriate music is not in our home.
ReplyDeleteI have a few thoughts for you. I have a sister that lives in Montana. She and her husband decided that they would choose for their children. They weren't allowed to watch tv, did not own radios, they weren't allowed to go to public school. When they became teenagers, they rebelled and went off on their own directions. The deep end, so to speak. Derek and I have chosen to limit what radio we have in the house, we don't have cable tv, but some approved movies are available in the house, and they attend public school. What we have done is, to provide them with rich spiritual experiences, opportunities to learn about their ancestors, church on a weekly basis. As you know, our daughter is struggling. She is not off the deep end, but she is wading in shallow waters. Our job as parents is to guide and nurture, but ultimately to love them unconditionally whatever they choose. Heavenly Father knew them first, and he knows what they need to return to him. If you and your husband pray always for guidance, you should be fine. Hopefully you should never have to experience children who stray. If you do, keep praying.
ReplyDeleteYou are so NOT making a big deal, it really is a huge deal. I completely agree with everything you just said. We made the decision before we were married not to have cable, and we never miss it. Media is really scary these days. Can't be too careful.
ReplyDeleteCharlotte's Web and Stuart Little are always good books for kiddos.
1. Blow up your T.V.
ReplyDelete2. Throw away the paper.
3. Move to the country.
4. Build you a home.
5. Plant a little garden.
6. Eat a lot of peaches.
7. Try to find Jesus on your own.
--John Prine
I plan on doing some Shakespeare reader theaters with the kids when they are old enough, but even Shakespeare you have to be careful because he was so dodgy. I think that is a good point one of the earlier commenters made, that we have to teach them correct principles and let them govern themselves rather than forcing or coercing.
ReplyDeleteWe let our kids watch up to two hours of tv a day, and just do netflix streaming. I like that because I can still filter what they watch and see what they have watched if I am in the other room. I also try to talk through things if something scary happens like gothel's death on Tangled, and say, remember this is just pretend. I think parents need to point that out about media images, too. Remember, those ladies are heavily photoshopped, etc. I think it is important for kids to remember that in order to have a healthy self image later. Especially girls.
Thanks for the comments, everyone!
ReplyDeleteI feel the need to clarify some things: we have no intention of forcing or controlling our children, simply doing our best to teach and provide them with the things they need to live a happy, healthy life.
I didn't mean that we'd have no TV, just not cable. We have Netflix and Hulu, so that like Jen said, we can monitor and filter what we watch. I'll be the first to admit that I love watching a mindless TV show at the end of a long, tiring day. I think it's important for a mothers' sanity to be able to put a movie or show on for her children so that she can have some time for herself. I was referring to the parents who leave the TV on all day and the whole family just sits in front of it, no communication, no affection, no nothing.
In my opinion (which by no means is important at all), I think it's fine when little kids sing these songs and have no idea what they're talking about. It's when they're old enough to know exactly what they're saying and understand what it's about that is saddening to me.
I'm honestly not accusing or berating anyone. I was just musing.
I agree with what you said and know exactly what you meant cuz I was there and we had this conversation :) haha but I just thought I'd say Amen again, because I agree so so so so so much that those songs were a little too much and i know what you mean about no forcing or controlling just doing your best to teach and provide etc, because it's not that you wanna force anything I didn't get that at all from your post--but from my perspective i agree it's extremely sad, that some of those girls, probably not all, but some, (sorry about all of my bad punctuation) will grow up thinking that being sad and lonely and writing songs about it is the ideal, and furthermore that being sad and lonely or getting up close and personal with people at clubs who don't want the music to stop is totally normal---when in fact, Heavenly Father never wanted our spirits to feel like that is normal. I think the ultimate, is to create a home where the spirit is always felt, and if there's music or movies which take that spirit away then it shouldn't be there. Kids have to learn to recognize the spirit, and the peace it brings, and that way when they do hear the songs and see the movies that they will inevitably be exposed to, they will recognize that those things don't feel right, but that the spirit they feel at home does. Anyway, that's the drift I caught, haha and I also think you're brilliant and you and justin know what you're doing. In fact, one day our kids will have to hang out. Cuz i know they'll be a good influence :)
ReplyDeleteYou are definitely NOT making a big deal out of nothing!! I completely agree with you! Jeremy and I might be considered "extremists" in this area, even by family members and friends lol. We haven't listened to the radio in forever (we occassionally listen to some country though) it's pretty much all church, classical, EFY music. We don't have any t.v. and probably never will, and we got rid of every movie that had anything innappropriate in our house and promised each other that we wouldn't support movies in the theaters that weren't up to our values (which basically leaves PG nowadays...). Every couple/family has to make their own choices, but we decided that if our kids can't watch certain movies or listen to certain music...why can we?? We feel really strongly about this too, so, just know that you two are not alone and you are NOT crazy!! Kids are trying to grow up way too fast and missing out on the innocence and light-heartedness of childhood, it's sad. I hope we can make a difference with our children! :)
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