Be a vigilant parent
March 19th, 2009
In the past, the society generally reinforced the values we parents try to teach to our children at home. Not so in today’s culture.
We teach our children modesty, the malls are selling tight sweaters and ultra low rise pants.
We teach our children abstinence from sex until marriage, the media shows sex as common as dinner at Denny’s.
We teach our children to respect authority, TV shows depict adults as the brunt of humor – the bumbling principal, the clueless boss, the brainless dad.
Parenting today means we have to be attentive and on guard to counteract what our children are exposed to.
Here are some ways to be vigilant parents:
1. Find a group of like-minded parents. It’s great to be able to share ideas and information on what works and what doesn’t among parents who have values in common.
2. Know what and why you believe. When our traditional values seem “old-fashion”, be ready to explain why our beliefs are timeless and is best for us and our society.
3. Be informed of what life is like for our children. What are they watching on YouTube? What books are they reading at school? What websites are they visiting?
What else do you suggest we can do to be vigilant parents?
Comments
For me, part of being a vigilant parent meant making connections between the generations.
My children spent a lot of time with their great-grandmother before she passed last month.
I hoped to show them–this is where I got my values and this is why we act a certain way…because it works. Look at the wonderful person your great grandmother is!
It actually worked. They saw the reason behind the values and she got to share the wisdom she’d learned over the years.
We shall miss her terribly.
This might sound wierd, but hear me out. I taught both my boys (in conversation) from VERY young age to be cynical about media and advertising. I taught them that everyone has an agenda for them – everyone – from God right through to advertising companies (I could have put the devil there, but it’s the same thing essentially :))…
We’ve talked (for a decade now) about how some of those agendas for you are healthy and caring, some are downright manipulative and exploitative, some are tempting and deceptive, some are value-neutral and may match or not match your own agenda for your life. “In the end, boys, it’s your choice what you do about the messages your peers, your media, ads, and even your parents give you…but here’s what I suggest and why.”
Hope that helps the discussion. This is a very pertinent and relevant topic, Katy. And you start dealing with this when they’re 2, not 12 or 15.
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