Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.
- Proverbs 22:6
Do you know that Bible verse?
Parenting can be hard and it can be trying.
But that verse up there? It's a promise worth hanging on to.
One of the most controversial intra-family decisions we made as parents
- Proverbs 22:6
Do you know that Bible verse?
Parenting can be hard and it can be trying.
But that verse up there? It's a promise worth hanging on to.
One of the most controversial intra-family decisions we made as parents
was to decide not to own the much loved Disney movie The Little Mermaid.
This was a decision we made just for our family
and I have no judgement for any one else about owning it or not.
This was a decision we made just for our family
and I have no judgement for any one else about owning it or not.
The Little Mermaid fairy tale was one of my personal favorites growing up.
The Disney movie is lovely ... Ariel is delightful ... the music is fabulous.
And yet ... there was the example of rebellion against parents,
intentional disregard for their guidance,
and a complete escape of all negative consequences
that seemed to me way over the top in this particular movie.
So, I decided we wouldn't own The Little Mermaid.
It wasn't a boycott - I just didn't want it playing in a continual loop in our house
(because that would have happened!).
It wasn't a boycott - I just didn't want it playing in a continual loop in our house
(because that would have happened!).
We watched it several times. It wasn't forbidden - we just didn't own it.
The kids knew my reasons, and they didn't really agree (naturally)
but they were so busy watching the many other Disney movies we did own
that it really wasn't that big of a deal to them.
They did, on occasion though, give me a hard time about it,
especially as they got older.
It was fairly good-natured teasing, with an occasional roll of the eyes
and a "there goes Mom with her weird boundaries again."
especially as they got older.
It was fairly good-natured teasing, with an occasional roll of the eyes
and a "there goes Mom with her weird boundaries again."
My sweet girl is now 15, and she recently watched the Little Mermaid.
Completely awash in a wave of nostalgia,
and frankly expecting only a happy review of what a cute movie it is,
I asked her if she enjoyed it.
Completely awash in a wave of nostalgia,
and frankly expecting only a happy review of what a cute movie it is,
I asked her if she enjoyed it.
"You know what, Mom?" she said, thoughtfully.
Long pause ....
"Okay. I see why."
I felt like Neil Armstrong on the moon.
It was a small step that bodes great things.
I felt like Neil Armstrong on the moon.
It was a small step that bodes great things.
This isn't a blog post about whether or not you should own The Little Mermaid.
It's just one to say that when your kids tell you they understand the "parental" things you did ...
it's worth the wait, and it feels pretty awesome.
How about you?
Is there an unpopular parenting decision that's come full circle for you,
or are you waiting for God's promise to come true?
I'm sharing this post at the Grace at Home Linky party at Imparting Grace ...
click below to come to the party!
How about you?
Is there an unpopular parenting decision that's come full circle for you,
or are you waiting for God's promise to come true?
I'm sharing this post at the Grace at Home Linky party at Imparting Grace ...
click below to come to the party!
I totally agree and love this post! We cling tightly to that vs. in Proverbs! Our children are still young but my husband and I have made decisions about which games will not be downloaded on our ipad (even though their entire class plays them) or which shows they will not watch (because of rebellion against parents). We sit down and explain to them why, and it seems even at their very young age, they understand. So thankful you stand up for this... I loved this post! Thx for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteKendra @ www.joyinourhome.com
thank you, Kendra … it's a very hard line to hold, that's for certain, but worth every single minute. If I had it to do over again … I'd hold it longer. Hang in there, you'll be so glad you did!!
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