The Duggars and the Evil Outside | TGC

Here’s a great article from The Gospel Coalition website about many parents’ desire to shelter their children.  It is easy to fall into a legalistic mindset that tells us that all of the problems we face as parents are outside our home.  How do you find yourself succumbing to this mentality?

The Duggars and the Evil Outside | TGC.

College Doesn’t Change Your Heart, It Reveals It | Desiring God

Here is a great article about fears that parents have in sending their kids off to college.  “As Paul Tripp might put it, it’s not that college changes your heart as much as reveals it. It isn’t the secularity, or the immorality that is to be feared. According to Jesus, it’s the propensity of our hearts to either want the wrong things or try to anchor themselves in the wrong places. All the while, Jesus is simultaneously the one we’re running from and looking for.”

College Doesn’t Change Your Heart, It Reveals It | Desiring God.

Top Ten Mistakes Christian Parents of Teens Make | Jeff Strong

So I came across this list recently and have to say it is very convicting.  On a professional note, it makes me sad when parents believe that sending their children to a Christian school is going to guarantee their Christian formation without any work done at home.  What do you think of this list?

 

Top Ten Mistakes Christian Parents of Teens Make | Jeff Strong.

On Stewarding Technology Well | Ordinary Pastor

Tim Challies linked to this article yesterday and I thought it was worth re-posting here.  While the article is written from the perspective of a pastor, the advice that he gives is worth thinking about for those outside the pastoral ministry as well.

My favorite quote: “When I say “no” to distractions on social media or the news then I am saying “yes” to those around me. I am saying “yes” to thinking, planning, meditating, or praying. Saying “no” is a powerful sanctifying work to a flesh that loves to be told “yes, you can have this”.

On Stewarding Technology Well | Ordinary Pastor.

The Beginning of Wisdom: Equip your kids to “say no” to porn

Yesterday I posted a link to an article talking about how several things, including porn, fall into the category of superstimuli.  Today I would like to follow up with a post on how, as parents, we should deal with the inevitable eventuality that our kids will encounter pornography.  This article from early May is a great piece of advice for parents wondering how they should prepare their children.  Two points to draw out: 1) start earlier than you think you will need to on discussions about sex, 2) have a culture of confession and repentance in your household.

Supernormal Stimuli: Your Brain On Porn, Junk Food, and the Internet

The website Lifehacker recently posted this article on Supernormal Stimuli.  It is an interesting look at some of the dangers of the most common temptations facing our kids and culture.  I particularly like the quote from C.S. Lewis towards the end of the article: “Only those who resist temptation know how strong it is.”  The author of this article has some good advice on ways to break our dependency and establish a more normal pattern of living.

Are You Teaching Your Children to Engage or Disengage?

A recently read this post: Distracted from Shepherding a Child’s Heart and was convicted about how often I am teaching my child that my things are more important that my conversation with her.   What is the flavor of your family interaction?  Are you teaching your children to engage or disengage by the way that you interact with them?

I especially love the conclusion to this article.

“The good news for Christian parents is that the spiritual health of our children is not ultimately dependent on our smartphone habits. Our close attention to them doesn’t create a new heart or a greater love for Christ. Salvation is of the Lord. Yet, parents are often one of the crucial means God uses to pass along His gospel. That’s why we should ask for the help of God’s Spirit as we seek to be faithful in this calling. There are no hard and fast rules for how often we should use our tablets, but we should at least make sure they’re not a hindrance as we seek to weave God’s truth into our everyday conversations.”

Talking to Your Kids About Porn

Talking to Your Kids About Porn

There is a new article at ByFaith (a Christian news site) that has some great information to help parents talk with their children about pornography.  Here’s an excerpt from the article:

“Parents are failing to notice and address this danger in a way that will protect their children. To give children unrestricted Internet access is like leaving them alone in a large city to find their way. No loving parent would even think of doing such a thing! But many parents are not realistic about the sexual temptation their children are facing. Some refuse to admit their children could be lured by sex at all, while others are overwhelmed and confused by the available technology. To make matters worse, parents rarely bring up the subject of sex, except to say, “Don’t!” or “Wait until you’re married.” This combination leaves children and teens confused about their emerging sexuality and vulnerable to the constant bombardment of sexual material.”

Family Worship and Its Benefits – Reformation21

Here is a great article about family worship.  This is an issue that I have not developed a good pattern for in my own family and something that I am working on being more faithful to do.  This article lays out a solid argument for the benefits and reasons behind establishing a consistent pattern of worship for your family.   Check it out: Family Worship and Its Benefits – Reformation21.

Do Unto Others — Everyone, Everywhere | byFaith

Here is a great article from byFaith about what it means to love our neighbors.  In the context of social media I particularly liked the following quote:

“Before clicking “publish” or “send,” consider what you would want said to you (or about you) and how you would want it said. Pray for a loving heart that looks to the interests of others. Then reread the draft and see if it still seems like the right thing to say.”

There are plenty of good tidbits to share with your kids as you talk to them about what it means to love one another.  Discernment often begins with thinking through issues before they pop up instead of reacting to what has already happened.  Hopefully this article will help.

Do Unto Others — Everyone, Everywhere | byFaith.