I thought about posting the clip here... but can't get myself to do it. I am struggling with how as a Jesus following mother do I protect my boys from this kind of garbage? I know the obvious answer is not to turn music channels on (and we don't usually, unless the boys are in bed or they are watching with us). Ty knows that if he is watching VH1 on Saturday morning for the video countdown and a Lady GaGa song comes on, he is to turn the channel, and he does! But obviously I can't control what goes on when they are at friends houses. I just pray that Jon and I are teaching them the importance of guarding their eyes from what they look at and guarding their heart and mind when they are not with us.
Now, I realize that some of you reading this might not agree with me, might think I am being over protective or just silly about the whole thing and that is okay with me. If you struggle with this, let me know... maybe we can bounce ideas off each other. If you think I am crazy, you can let me know that as well... I won't be offended! :)
5 comments:
I totally agree...this is something I struggle with. We don't ever watch music videos (I don't even like the music videos on the Disney Channel) but we do listen to a wide variety of music everything from contemp christian to current pop hits and oldies. I often cringe over the lyrics of some of our favorite pop songs when the kids are in the car. It is really hard trying to figure out where to draw the line. No matter how careful you are with what kids watch and listen to it seems they still see and hear everything! I get angry over commercials. I also would love to hear suggestions that other parents have on this subject. :)
Ok, so before I commented, I went to YouTube and looked for the video. The first one that came up was actually the whole song with all the words on the screen, the second one was the 30 second clip.
I too work really hard to guard my kids. I rarely listen to the radio around them because from a very early age, Maggie has had an uncanny ability to pick up on things she hears, and then repeat them back days later. It made me really careful about the things she hears and sees. We rarely watch the news with the kids around, and sometimes don't even listen to it in an effort to protect her.
Anyway, all that said, after having listened to and watched both videos, while I personally love the song, I don't think I would let my kids anywhere near it. The lyrics are just a bit to suggestive to me, and the video seems utterly inappropriate.
Maybe I go overboard trying to protect my child, but I feel like she gets enough bad stuff at school, so I try to give her as much good stuff as I can.
Anyway, that's my $.02!
I think about stuff like that all the time. As my boys get older (they are only 2.5yrs and 4 months right now) but I pray God gives us the wisdom to teach them and lead them to be grown men of God, and how to be respectful, resposible adults. How do we protect them from the world but still show it to them at the same time?
You and Jon have done a great job so far! Maybe you can help us who are just starting out? :o)
-Ashlee
There is such a hard balance teaching kids to be in the world - reaching out to those in need and to become of the world. While we are not called to be hermits and to hide ourselves in our "christian" box, as parents it's hard work this day and age trying to explain WHY they shouldn't look at certain things, WHY they can't see a movie all their friends saw or see a show all their friends watch. I remember my parents banning me from certain programs and we laugh about it today. BUT as I reflect, I am thankful that my parents protected my eyes - I saw enough on my own at friends homes and I see enough on commercials alone that stay with me. I think as parents all we can do is explain why we limit them. Why we don't want them to watch a Victoria Secret commercial. But I am convicted because maybe I'm not suppose to watch or listen to these things either - I mean do I really need to watch a Victoria Secret commercial so I can feel bad about myself all day long? Do I really need a catchy song by an artist that has sexual content to be in my head all day long. We can say it doesn't effect us because we're adults...but does it??? Points to ponder. I remember teaching our girls a purity class at our church youth group and the following verses, especially verse 23 stuck out to me. Proverbs 4: 21-27
23 Above all else, guard your heart,
for it is the wellspring of life.
24 Put away perversity from your mouth;
keep corrupt talk far from your lips.
25 Let your eyes look straight ahead,
fix your gaze directly before you.
26 Make level [b] paths for your feet
and take only ways that are firm.
27 Do not swerve to the right or the left;
keep your foot from evil.
"Above all else - guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life." God isn't playing around when it comes to the purity of our heart. This blog totally reminded me to work on this better - not just for my children but for my husband and also me as well. With a world that screams sexual freedom, it's gonna be a challenge to show them and teach them that a pure heart gives more satisfaction and true FREEDOM in the end. So if we have to change a music channel or show - it's worth it in the end. We might seem overprotective but they are surrounded by this stuff everywhere else - we should feel confident doing what we need to do to protect them at home and teach them how to protect their hearts when they step out. Thanks Suzie - good topic! - Laura Quinn
Suzie, I haven't seen the video, but I completely agree with you on this topic! You're an inspiration though. I am already on my knees about the culture my children will be exposed to as they are growing...and I'll have 3 girls!!!!!!
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