Have you considered there are a lot of 'good' parents who are working two jobs and are just trying to hold on to their own lives? And their kids are 'out there' with other kids watching videos, watching MTV, playing doom and Grand Theft Auto (now in its third version)
Media! Geeez why hasn't anyone here looked at what MTV Movies and Music do to all of our kids? Think of the awful tv ads for satonic and mass murdering movies!! Kids are watching these videos over and over. The top song/ music video right now is Slipknot "Duality". Go watch that video! It's theme is hopelessness and doom. IT'S BEEN THE TOP SONG FOR WEEKS!
I am quite frankly surprized more kids aren't blowing things up!
We (as kids growing up and parents now) didn't have the TREMENDOUS exposure to all this! Let's face it many people in our society do not have the financial or mental resourses to have hours of loving bonding time with their children ... so they rely on media.
We are screwed and it's getting worse!
YES, QUITE SO.
HOwever, my univ library boss did not have a TV all his kids growing up years. Would go to a neighbors to watch special things.
Also, if parents haven't taught their kids how to make discerning Godly choices before 10 years old, then they are in trouble.
Parents during the demonic years of Rome's rule with Ceaser as god were able to raise Godly kids. Many great prophets in the Bible failed to do so.
IT ALL DEPENDS ON ONE'S PRIORITIES. YES. IT'S D*MN HARD!
AND, BY GOD'S GRACE, I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHO STRENGTHENS ME. IF RAISING KIDS SUCCESSFULLY ISN'T ONE OF THE TOP OF THOSE THINGS, THEN SOMETHING IS DREADFULLY WRONG TO BEGIN WITH.
I've often pondered this issue of raising kids in an evil culture. I think I agree with Francis Schaeffer. I'd raise Godly rebels.
Devoted to God and cleverly rebellious against the Godless, demonic culture. IN IT BUT NOT OF IT.
Jews have been doing it successfully for centuries. Amish less well.
Those in churches which do not teach THE WORD and especially those in churches where the leadership and the majority of the congregation fail to ACT OUT THE WORD--likely are also failing at this crucial task of raising Godly children in a demonic culture.
It's not easy. I know it's far from easy. I've seen and had to deal with tons of the failures. I'm painfully aware. And I've also seen very few, relatively who've done it well and right regardless. But that does assure me that it's possible.
I just saw last night on the HGTV thing about the blind man that was single father to 3 kids--oldest a 17 year old girl. Wrote the TV remodeling group and was chosen. And the guy was incredible. Blind or not, he still went overboard doing what he could to help the crew remodeling his kids bedrooms. The MC lady said she'd never met a man more impressive as a man and a father than that man. Somehow, blind or not, he had succeeded with those kids in this culture. IT IS POSSIBLE.
It is NOT easy.
Maybe in many situations a triage decision has to be made. Some thing just have to fall by the wayside.
I think clean and order are good.
BUT I'VE LEARNED, CLEANLINESS AND ORDER are far from ALWAYS the priority.
Many times, It's worth asking, in 3 weeks, 3 months or 3 years, what will I care if I let XYZ go another week, month or whatever.
How can I involve my kid in this task in a way that affords us some dialogue time.
How can I share this problem with my kid in a way that draws us closer together?
Asking questions like that and doggedly digging up solutions is worth it.