Parents walk a fine line every day in the quest for balance in the home. That’s especially true right now, around the holidays, when we want our kids to enjoy themselves to the fullest but without jeopardizing their physical, emotional or spiritual well-being.
For example, we don’t want to deny our children sugary seasonal treats, but we realize that a steady diet of Christmas cookies won’t benefit anyone but the family dentist. Sledding down steep hills? Fine, but it’s probably wise to avoid the ones that empty into traffic. We’re not spoilsports; we’re just striving for balance. If I’ve learned anything in my years of talking with parents about media discernment, it’s that healthy families apply healthy boundaries.
I’ll never forget the time my wife and I took our baby girl to The North Pole. No, not the North Pole. This one’s a theme park here in Colorado with all sorts of rides and activities based on Santa’s workshop. Reindeer. Elves. The whole ball of snow. Anyway, we wanted to take our toddler to the park and show her a fun afternoon. The very first ride to catch my eye was essentially a great big wheel lying on its side, wide chairs dangling from the edges. Pretty harmless, right?
I thought, “If it doesn’t go too fast, this might be something we can go on together.” However, since I hadn’t seen the ride in motion, I figured I’d better investigate. So I scrambled through the turnstile, climbed aboard and latched the safety bar. Before I knew it, the wheel was spinning at breakneck speed. Then a hydraulic lift kicked in and hoisted the whole thing on a 45-degree angle. Two thoughts entered my mind: 1) Boy, am I glad I checked this out first, and 2) I hope this thing stops before I hurl on all those moms and dads down there waving at their kids.
God used that experience to remind me about the quest for balance that all responsible parents struggle with. No matter what our children may think, we are not opposed to them having a good time. After all, that’s why I took my daughter to the amusement park in the first place—for her enjoyment. But if there’s any chance that our kids’ fun might put them in danger, it’s our job as parents to check it out first.
The same goes for music, movies, television and other forms of entertainment. Pop culture is a wild ride beckoning our children. Virtually anyone can climb aboard. No age limit. No height requirement. And as parents, we have to give it a thorough once over if we expect to establish logical, loving limits in our homes. Proverbs 3:21 implores, “My son, preserve sound judgment and discernment; do not let them out of your sight.”
Have you ever had a close encounter with entertainment that looked safer than it really was? If you’re a parent, what are some ways you “check out the ride” in your home?
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