| "> | | | | them in a bubble until they're eighteen? Or do we |
| So your kids are getting older and you're worried | | | | allow them to experience and learn from the |
| about how to deal with the world outside your | | | | world? |
| door. When you open it, you're flooded with a | | | | This subject is much too large for one article. But |
| multitude of temptations...all inviting your children | | | | there's an important aspect to parenthood that |
| to join the new order of instant gratification. The | | | | was probably not passed on from our own |
| seduction is hard enough for adults to deal with, | | | | parents...because when they were parents, it |
| so how can the underdeveloped Christian mind | | | | wasn't as big an issue. |
| ever hope to resist. Especially when the don't | | | | The fact is, we're no longer living in a Christian |
| understand the serious harm some of these | | | | world...and we have to adjust our approach to life. |
| things can do. | | | | We can no longer rely on any sort of rating |
| It Starts with Example | | | | system from the entertainment world. We can't |
| Needless to say, it all starts with example. Johnny | | | | trust that our schools (even the Catholic ones) |
| might not buy into Mom and Dad's strict life | | | | are going to provide a Christian education. |
| policies, but he'll at least always remember it. It'll | | | | This means that you'll have to pay more attention |
| gnaw at the back of his conscience and continue | | | | and teach your kids what it means to be Christian. |
| to urge him towards holiness throughout his life. | | | | You have to make them realize that they are |
| And it works the other way too. A bad example | | | | different. They have to feel separated from the |
| from parents will always be an excuse for poor | | | | rest of the world. At first, this could mean |
| behavior from young adults. Think of how many | | | | something as simple as teaching them not to pay |
| times you've thought to yourself, "My dad used | | | | attention to the Jones's. But eventually, they need |
| to do it...it can't be that bad." | | | | to know their unique position. They are children of |
| But it Doesn't End There | | | | God...and that carry's responsibility. |
| Parenthood calls for more than example. After all, | | | | Telling them once isn't a cure-all. There has to be |
| many selfless parents have raised selfish (spoiled) | | | | a continuing reminder that our duty to God |
| brats. There has to be more. There has to be | | | | comes first. And of course, it'll only work with |
| some intervention. But how much? Do we keep | | | | prayer and example. |