It's pretty simple, actually - I call it deliberate parenting. Those who have read my book, "30 Ways in 30 Days to Save Your Family", know that I believe every parent has the opportunity to save their children from becoming slaves to porn addiction, teen pregnancy, shattered relationships with you, and a life of mediocrity. The first step is realizing that the world has changed. Gone are the days of pleasant entertainment designed to foster strong moral values and strong families. Even Disney can not be trusted. It has become the number one producer of sexual role models for our young girls - they have become masters of deceit in creating seemingly innocent, fun, cute starlets that our little girls love to emulate, and then morph them into trampy women whose lives center around their sexual power.
As Dr. Gushta explains, it actually starts with very young children, "The media have continued to push the boundaries in children's entertainment. Today it often wears a patina of childish play and silliness, but underneath, its humor is strictly adult, as signaled by the trademark of double entendre. She also warns, "However, it's not just sexualized content for which parents must be alert. They must also be on the lookout for the worldviews that are subtly slipped into the story."
The second step is to stop being so lazy when it comes to entertainment. Take the time to read honest reviews of programming content by visiting sites like MovieGuide.org and PluggedinOnline.com. Stop depending on shows that self-proclaim they are "family friendly" and instead, watch programming yourself so you can decide what is truly family friendly. Install a reliable internet filter; view your child's internet history.
Most importantly, replace much of the time your children are spending consuming entertainment with time spent with you. Talk to them about your values, and how your desire is for them to be young men and women known for their goodness, grace, purity and love for others. Paint a vision of they type of human being you want them become, and deliberately remind them on a daily basis of the high value God places on them as individuals.
For practical weekly tips and encouragement in this vital battle for your children, I invite you to subscribe to my free weekly e-newsletter at HowToSaveYourFamily.com.
Each week I provide resources and information to help you strengthen your relationship with your children, grow their faith in God, and equip them to tower above the pop culture.
When left alone, your children will be manipulated and consumed by the selfish and narcissistic values pervasive in today's entertainment arsenal. With your daily, deliberate assistance, they will become wise, strong warriors who are equipped to recognize the lies, and defeat them at every turn.