How to Navigate Modern Culture

With cultural change and confusion swirling, Mary Ellen and Ginny take on the timely topic of protecting our children's innocence in our increasingly crazy culture.  

 

Their advice, steeped in love and tested through experience, can build your confidence and help steer your decisions to the moral high ground in today's most challenging times. Join them as they help you chart a virtuous path for your family. You won't want to miss today's show.

 

How to Navigate Modern Culture While Protecting Children's Innocence 

 

The idea for this episode came up at the end of June, the month now branded by many stores, corporations, even brick and mortar schools as Pride Month. But the co-opting of a month is only one of the moral hazards that threaten childhood innocence in our contemporary culture.

 

The Problem

• Language in movies, podcasts, and political gatherings is often filthy or worse.  
• Anti-American sentiment, which dominated college campuses for decades, has seeped into kindergarten. 
• Patriotic fervor is hard to find. Crowds no longer stand for the national anthem or cover their hearts with their hands.  
• Military recruitment is down as preferred pronouns are valued over patriotism. 

 

The Solution - The Three P's

In today's podcast, Mary Ellen and Ginny discuss how we can protect our children's innocence and provide a roadmap for you to navigate our culture. They start with prayer, then add the importance of teaching patriotism, and finally, bring it all together with the virtue of prudence. 

So how do we navigate our family – our kids – through this troubling time in history?

First, with Prayer 

As always, prayer comes first. We have to make religion the center of our homeschools.  

• Our children need to know God's law - their catechism.
• A Brilliant Solution - the 6th and 9th Commandments.      
• It has to be presented in an age-appropriate way.   

Second, Patriotism

Teaching our children that the United States is a beacon of freedom to the world is not pretending it is perfect. Heaven is perfect - no man-made place can be.  

• Present US history with its flaws but also with its accomplishments.  
• Attend patriotic events: parades, fireworks, special Masses, band concerts, etc.
• Watch movies that highlight our nation's heroic past.

Finally, Prudence 

Before you take your kids anywhere these days:

• You must check websites before you go.
• Being advertised as "family-friendly" events does not make them so.
• Museums, etc., may showcase agendas in conflict with your family values.  
• In June, you are practically a prisoner; you can't take the kids to a department store unprepared.
• Beware of subtle influences in movies and television that normalize errant behavior.

Electronic Devices are a huge part of the problem. Strongly consider flip phones with no internet access. If you get them smartphones, find software programs that prevent bad content on devices, or alert you when kids try to access it.

Find Your Tribe A close-knit group of like-minded friends can make a big difference.

* From Ginny - Rotate Sunday morning brunch after Mass among a group of families:

• Your house is usually clean on Sunday.
• Brunch only requires doughnuts or bagels, maybe a fruit tray.  
• It’s a great way to socialize and celebrate the Lord's Day.
• Ginny's group led to summer Sunday get-togethers in a centrally located park

* From Mary Ellen - Friday Night Gathering option:

• Rotate homes to gather for Pizza and Rosary.
• A Dad might lead a little song for the kids to learn between decades.
• These activities can lead to long-term friendships.

With Conviction (the Secret Sauce)

We have to pray for the strength to remain steadfast. Raising our children in a wholesome and religious environment is not optional; it is a mandate of our Faith.

And Always Add the Ingredient of Charity

1. Evangelization starts with heroic charity.
2. It is NEVER wrong to be kind.