Guarding Little Hearts and Minds, While They're Young

Just today I had some reminders of another aspect of my role as a parent. We watch over soo much of what our children are exposed to. With food allergies I'm watching what my children eat. One reason is for safety (defensive) and another reason is to make sure they are getting what their little bodies need!! Today I was listing what Lydia had consumed and calculating how much calcium she is actually getting (since she is still NOT drinking soymilk).

But while taking a mental break I let the kids turn on the TV... PBS Kids. All of a sudden Christopher just started bawling .... It was a totally different cry than just annoyance with his sister or frustration over something....he was clearly emotional over something.

Mr Rogers was on and one of the puppets in the Land of Make-Believe was upset and crying as well......although I can assure you that Christopher's tears were much more believable and bigger!!! I don't think what he was watching was harmful or unappropriated, but obviously Christopher was disturbed by it.

It was a reminder to me of how sensitive and mold-able these little guys are. And how I (as their Mom) need to be always on guard to protect and guide them.

I know some may think we've over protective when it comes to movies, shows, etc with our kids. But I remember how Anna tried to watch a Disney movie and was scared silly in the first few minutes!! Why have something that is supposed to fun and entertainment scare them (or make them worry)?
Brian and I went to a movie while we were on vacation last week. The movie itself was ok, but the previews really disturbed me. What we call entertainment and what we are feed through media can be soo TRASHY!! Violence and sexual scenes and jokes are rampant.....

I'm not so eager to have my kids exposed to these things so soon. There are soo many things I would love to have their little hearts and minds dwell on than what I see in many forms of children's videos, movies and shows. So my kids don't have a clue who Hannah Montana is...... by the time they go to college it totally won't matter :)

Let us be sure to guard our children's hearts and minds, while we can....while they're young.

"Whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue, and if there is anything praiseworthy - meditate on these things . " Philippians 4:8

And this is just proof that I do let my kids watch TV :) They love to snack and to watch a video:) Probably get it from their Daddy who loves a good movie and a late-night snack:)