Judging Media

I've had so many thoughts I could blog about (did you know blog can be a noun and a verb?): where to start? Time for sit down activites is decreasing with the beautiful weather ( Not a complaint!)

I am not a music person. I just never think of listening to it, except in the car. And all we listen to are kids' CDs: scripture memory songs mostly, Psalty, Veggie Tales. I sometimes desire a bit more sophistication in my music, but the music has paid dividends. H knows about 2 dozen Bible verses, she thinks about them and applies them to her life. Some of the verses are ones I teach her in our morning Bible time, but the ones that stick, are the songs. I've even learned some new verses and K knows at least seven. Of course the real challenge is remembering the chapter and verse.

Lately, as H has been asking about Hannah Montana, I've decided I need to at least be aware of the pop culture. I don't know what kinds of kids I will have but I bet one of them will want to read the latest book series or listen to the latest music star. So my goal in the next two weeks is to learn about Hannah Montana and her music. I also need to check out High School Musical. I know I am in the minority, but I don't think girls of six should watch shows about dating, even if they are "clean." I could take the approach of forbidding all such wordly programs, but I suspect a flat out banning would incite rebellion. H understands what God values and what we value, so far. If I tell her a show had kids who don't treat each other nicely or that who don't honor God, she is content to not watch it. I should pray that her acquiescence doesn't change soon.

The question I am trying to answer is: do you think as believers we should explore pop culture so our kids aren't totally confused when other kids talk about something? Or should we just sing our scripture and let them discover on their own? I guess I am leaning toward exploring the current culture so I can train my girls to make Godly choices, and so their ignorance doesn't lead to silent confusion in peer groups. Of course, this parenting thing is all new to me, I'm open to suggestions. I've asked a few moms of middle schoolers about this subject and they just take a que sera sera approach, hoping that their children won't be interested in the pop culture. Am I thinking too hard again?

Now K, I might need to learn about the Parental Control buttons for her. She likes to experience things. And FYI: my favorite scripture memory CD is Steven Curtis Chapman's Hide'em in Your Heart.