Raising “G” Rated Children in an “R” Rated World

 

iParenting

 

The necessary perspective

 

Luke 15:11-32

 

The availability of “power”

 

NASA Moon Landing: How Apollo 11 landed on the moon with computers weaker than your

smartphone (Sabastian Kettley, https://www.express.co.uk/news/science/1143593/NASA-Moon-landing-Apollo-11-computers-weaker-smartphone-NASA-news.  Accessed June 25, 2019)

 

Question #1: Who should “parent” your children?

 

Phil. 4:8: True, honest, just, pure, lovely, good report, virtue, praise

 

Question #2: How should we parent our children?

 

Deut. 6:1-11: Characteristics and consequences

 

Characteristics of parenting:

Distinct, diligence, dedication, determination, demonstration

 

Qualities or consequences derived:

God goes before, is gracious, gives abundantly

 

Question #3: When do you start parenting in relation to technology?

 

“Preschool”

 

Even at three years of age, a child is capable of learning that the flowers, the sky,

the birds, and even the rainbow are gifts from God’s hand. . . The Christian worldview. . . teaches that good and evil are determined by the God of the universe and that he has given us an unchanging moral standard by which to live (Dobson, James. Bringing up Boys. 249-250).

 

“Elementary school”

 

The most influential perceptual programming of the subconscious mind occurs from birth through age six. During that time, the child’s brain is recording all sensory experiences as well as learning complex motor programs for speech, crawling, standing, and advanced activities like running and jumping. Simultaneously, the child’s sensory systems are fully engaged, downloading massive amounts of information about the world and how it works.

 

By observing the behavioral patterns of people in their immediate environment—primarily parents, siblings, and relatives—children learn to distinguish acceptable and unacceptable social behaviors. It’s important to realize that perceptions acquired before the age of six become the fundamental subconscious programs that shape the character of an individual’s life… A child’s perceptions of the world are directly downloaded into the subconscious during this time, without discrimination and without filters of the analytical self-conscious mind which doesn’t fully exist. (Bruce Lipton, author of The Biology of Belief.  https://www.healyourlife.com/are-you-programmed-at-birth.  Accessed June 25, 2019)

 

Question #4: Where do you start parenting with technology?

 

Your home: Locations and times

Public places: Interaction and interpersonal skills

In times of “privacy”: “Protective” apps and programs

 

Question #5: How do you discipline via technology?

 

Be honest and realistic: Nobody, even your child, is not perfect

Be gracious with a “long term” perspective: The technology is not going away

Be clear, confident, and consistent: Establishing “parameters”

 

Question #6: Why should you parent so “differently” via technology?

 

Called to protect not imprison

Called to prepare not promote popularity