For a little while now I’ve been thinking about doing an episode about the movie Encanto and have a chat about our kids and media consumption. Then last week I had the most amazing breakfast - it was amazing because it was at a cafe, it was kid-free and it was with quality friends. And while we were enjoying our breakfast we started talking about Encanto and our kids and media consumption. It felt like it was time.
So in today's episode we’re going to focus on our kids and media consumption, and in the next episode we will look at witchcraft in kids movies with a focus on Encanto, The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe and The Princess and the Frog. So keep an eye out for that one.
Ok, now before I start: this is not a bible study, this is not a parenting course, this is just a one sided conversation intended to help us to think a little bit deeper about what media we as Christian parents let our kids consume. This is not intended to be a judgment on your parenting choices. Let’s just talk about it.
To start; I know that not every Christian parent lets their kids watch movies, TV or perhaps not any screen at all. And are some Christian parents who are happy to let their kids watch pretty much everything and anything. I fall somewhere in the middle. Like I said; I’m not here to judge either way - it’s your family, your rules. But I do hope that, no matter what side you fall on this issue, you will get something out of this episode.
So, I let my kids watch TV shows and movies. I don’t let them watch everything out there - we watch mostly G rated content and sometimes the big kids will watch a PG movie - it depends on what it is. But, is it ok for me as a Christian parent to do that? Or am I being too strict?
I know that there are pastors who would probably teach that christian parents should not let any media into the home, or perhaps only 100% Christian content. Some might say it’s actually good to let your kids be exposed to the culture of the world. I’m not a pastor so I’m not going to draw any line in the sand here but what I will say is this: it’s not ‘Christian’ to not let your kids watch any media at all, and it’s also not ‘Christian’ to let your kids watch whatever they want. ‘Christian’ is being a follower of Jesus and a receiver of His gospel. Still, as Christians, we should use wisdom and ask the Lord for guidance on this issue.
I mentioned earlier that I’m somewhere in the middle on this subject. What does that mean? Being in the middle ground for me means that my kids do watch Christian content but I also allow them to watch secular TV shows and movies, just not everything and anything. There are a few reasons why I’m a middle-grounder so why don't I just lay them out for you:
I want my kids to be ‘in’ the world, but not ‘of’ the world, be part of the culture but not shaped by it.
I want to help them understand non-christian worldviews
I want to use the secular TV shows and Movies they watch as a tool to help reinforce our families biblical worldview
I want to protect the innocence of their minds for as long as possible.
That might seem like a tall order but that’s what I want for my kids.
I want them to be able to relate with their peers, to understand where their non-christian friends are coming from. I want them to see the gospel in Encanto (more on that next ep) and I want to shield them from things that would take away some of their innocence.
I am so aware that my time with my children is precious and fleeting. My oldest is going to be 8 this year and I can already picture him as a teenager, finishing high school, getting a job and then moving out of home. And tha
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