As a parent, I have found teachable moments all over the place. From nature to movies, there are object lessons all over if you are looking for them. Of course, then there is the idea of intentionally allowing your kids what I will call “fringe content,” in order to avoid being militant and to intentionally build discernment.
I have encountered parents that are deathly afraid of their children hearing anything outside the realm of scripture, especially if the myths involved engage in activities in direct opposition to the instructions in the Bible. I grew up with friends whose parents made these decisions for their children, and I currently have contemporaries that strive to strain out any myths that are not completely “accurate” from reaching their children… including Santa Claus! What I have noticed is that when the kids get a taste of the myths beyond their parents walls, they fall for them as if they were truths.
I understand the desire to protect your child, and I highly respect that aim. I would alternatively like to suggest that one of the best ways to protect the mind of a child is to strengthen it, and nothing works better at strengthening, than adversity. Where does your child go to know right from wrong? Who do they seek out when the encounter a question about truth, or justice? Their hero! That’s you! …and You have a far greater role than you imagine.
When my kids were younger I made a diligent effort to screen all content before allowing my children to see it. You as Dad along with their mother (should) know your kids better than anyone and get to decide what is appropriate and what is not… and when. DO THIS. I have often had the conversation that, “it is our job to raise you, and just because “Billy’s mom” lets him watch or see that, doesn’t mean that we have to approve it for you too.” Then as they got older, I defaulted to a rating’s age recommendation if I hadn’t seen the film, or TV show, as well as reviews from places like pluggedin.com. I distinctly remember a conversation about “just because you’ve seen the rating before doesn’t mean you can again until I have seen it.”
Allowing certain edgy influences, at appropriate ages, will strengthen their will to seek the truth, especially if you talk about it – and you can start the conversation because you allowed that influence to be there.
THIS IS VITAL:
The follow-up conversation is gold! It will allow you to understand how they see the fringe things that life can bring at them, but that are different than how you taught them to live and point that out – that you taught them differently. It will open up conversation like nothing else. This is where you will inherently teach them to be discerning. But remember it is vitally important to have those follow-ups, because otherwise you are letting the fringe content teach your children, and hoping that their discernment is good enough…
Overall, however, I advise that you not be afraid to use ‘stories,’ movies, or myths to help your children understand the truths about life. Just make certain that you discuss how those stories may differ from the truth that you are teaching them.
Speaking truth, in a world that is trying to teach you that truth is in the eye of the beholder, I want to comment to you holding truth up to God’s Word as a measuring stick. It is very beneficial to share with your children opportunities to use the “measuring stick,” because you can oversee the growth of their discernment and guide it accordingly. The concept that I’m standing between is that truth comes from God’s Word, even if man made myth uses it for their superhero stories, and you can point that out time and again when you are sharing this experience with them. You can also point out when it veers from what God’s word says. Did you know that God created men to be heroes? That’s where the concept for these masked avengers comes from, and as a father He made you to be a hero.
“WE ARE MEN OF ACTION…”
Dad… I challenge you to get discuss with your kids the content that they are looking at right now. In what ways is it God-honoring? Is it good vs evil where good wins? character building? Search for a redeeming quality – if it doesn’t have any, should they be engaging/watching it? Then, ask them, what parts are not God-honoring, and how? Point out how media often can influence the way we look at important parts of life, and tell them you love them enough to do your best to protect their mind from things that are not the truth of the life God has given us.
You can do it! Open the lines of discussion on what your kids are allowing into their eyes, ears, and lives!