This crazy world has gotten crazier. I mean, we know things will be bad but at the same time we question how it can possibly get worse. And yet it does.
Children innocently play, unaware of the pain and destruction around them. Well…they live in their own world of destruction.
We wonder what kind of world they will grow up in, and how to prepare them for it.
Our instinct is to protect them from the news. Keep their childhood innocent and carefree. But are we doing them a disservice by shielding them? How much do we share?
Maturity And Understanding
Young Minds
There’s a fine line between “informing” and “scarring.” Obviously, very young children lack the reasoning and fortitude needed to understand deep issues. They need to feel secure.
We have ages 22 to 2, so our youngest are exposed to big topics just by being around our older kids. They pick up on our conversations, even when we filter what we say. Every conversation is their business.
It allows us opportunity to casually explain what’s going on and to answer questions without it feeling forced. More often than not, they get bored and run off. Sometimes questions are asked hours or days later.
Families that don’t have a wide age range have more control over what young kids hear, but the opportunity to either shelter or prepare can be found in the details.
For example, can I guarantee nothing bad will happen? Am I positive no one will break in, or that I’ll come home from the grocery store, or that no one will hurt us?
No.
I promise my kids that I will do everything in my power to prevent those things.
More importantly, I emphasis God’s love and protection, and remind them that bad things do happen but that God will always use those bad things for something really good if we let Him. I tell them true stories of horrible situations that God miraculously turned into something awesome.
Being honest allows them to accept that no one is immune from the pains of this world. It helps them to be more empathetic. They know children are starving. They know families are torn apart, and that people are tortured for their faith. Details aren’t necessary, but they know evil exists and that we don’t have to fear it. They know life can be painful, but that our Hope is beyond everything that happens on this earth.
Mature Minds
Even older kids can be minimally aware of what’s going on, depending on their use of technology and the friends they have.
We’re a techy family, and have plenty of interaction with those outside our church, so our older kids are aware of what’s happening in the world.
They hear a wide range of views, and I appreciate that. We discuss and think through the different sides. It makes us look deeper into the Bible, and solidifies our world view.
They are better prepared to counter arguments because of this. They learn to be slow in coming to conclusions, to research trustworthy sources, to think for themselves, and to respect other’s opinions.
Sheltering And Over-informing
To be clear, both are extremes. We shouldn’t expose our kids to every evil out there, but we can’t downplay its presence, either. They won’t be prepared to stand strong in its face.
It’s dangerous to assume all humans have the same moral code, care about others, or will do the “right thing” if given the chance.
Sin is very real and Satan is out to destroy. I want my kids to know that it goes far deeper than bad words and middle fingers.
Jeremiah 17:9— The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?
The Quirky Tribe 