The Reformed Advisor

Tag: parents

Disney Show for Kids Features Lesbian Couple

Posted on February 3, 2014 in Marriage by

The Disney kids show “Good Luck Charlie” recently featured a lesbian couple in an episode that some loved and others did not. The episode featured the “parents” of one of Charlie’s friends that happen to be two women.

What is most concerning to me was actually articulated by Miley Cyrus as she praised Disney for the episode. She tweeted:

‘I commend Disney for making this step into the light of this generation. They control…so much of what kids think!

Ding ding! That’s the point. Disney has significant influence in the lives of children. To promote homosexuality to young kids watching this show isn’t appropriate. This is a subject parents ought to be discussing with their kids when the parents are ready. Sensitive subject matter such as this should not be forced into homes because Disney wants to make a political statement. Disney has now played their hand and let everyone know where they stand on this issue. I suppose we will see Disney advocate for marriage redefinition in the near future, perhaps with a new animated movie featuring two princesses.

I’m Definitely Not Abraham. Are you?

Posted on January 28, 2014 in Family by

I, like many people watched the History Channel mini-series “The Bible” when it aired nearly a year ago. I have not often been excited about biblically themed television shows. They tend to veer towards blatant misrepresentations after relying more on extra-biblical sources than the Bible itself. But this series, from husband and wife producers Mark Burnett (Survivor) and Roma Downey (Touched By An Angel) received much media attention and hype prior to the first episode for what critics said was careful attention to detail in staying true to Scripture.

As I watched the first episode I was pleasantly surprised and filled with promise that this could be worthy of the adjective used frequently to describe it on social media: epic. Of course it will be necessary to overlook the fact that everyone is speaking in a British accent. But I’m more interested in the series being biblically and historically accurate than employing the proper accent. (I do realize the historical inaccuracy of everyone speaking in the wrong accent. it’s just a detail that doesn’t bother me.)

States, Educators, Parents Abandon Common Core For Being Dumb

Posted on January 27, 2014 in Home School, Public Policy by

When Common Core was announced it was touted as the “fix” to an American education system that has been in decline for years. Without much review or investigation into the privately funded, federally promoted standards and curriculum, school boards began approving its implementation. That snowballed into entire states “opting in” to statewide use of Common Core. (It didn’t hurt that the federal government offered millions in monetary enticements to join the program.)

What has been the result of all the pomp and fanfare rolling out Common Core?

Helpful Tips on Combatting Entitlement in Kids

Posted on January 21, 2014 in Family by

Good, I’m not the only one that struggles with the entitlement mentality in my kids, or me. My earlier post on this subject generated quite a bit of feedback from many who are facing similar issues. At least I know I am not alone in this struggle to counter the selfish, materialistic culture we now live in each day.

As I heard the comments and thoughts from different people on the previous article I got to thinking about the specific things my wife and I do to discourage entitlement and encourage giving; both in our kids and in ourselves. So I thought I would share some of those things in an effort to pass on the tips and practices that have helped us. I hope these thoughts are helpful to you and something you can use to build on for your own family.

VIDEO: Mom Destroys Common Core in 3 Minutes

Posted on January 20, 2014 in Home School, Public Policy by

I’ve had a lot of conversations about Common Core lately. Unfortunately many parents don’t know how dangerous this once-size-fits-all attempt at education really is. Not onyl does Common Core dumb down America’s academic standards, it removes parents are the primary educator of children and replaces them with government. And don’t get me started on the complete lack of morals hidden in Common Core.

If you don’t know much about Common Core I encourage you to do some home work. Most states have implemented it, but many are now backing out because they see how absurdly awful it truly is.

Watch the video below of a mother in Arkansas that went to her school board and absolutely destroyed Common Core with one single math problem in less than three minutes. If this math problem from Common Core doesn’t give you an idea of how inadequate these “standards” really are, it might be time to head back to school.

If the video doesn’t appear automatically, please refresh your browser.

Would You Want Your 13-Year-Old Daughter Answering This Question?

Posted on January 20, 2014 in Sexuality by

As a parent I have the responsibility to teach my kids certain things about life. Among those things which I am to be the primary teacher for my kids are morality, theology, and manners. I don’t believe it is anyone else’s responsibility to impart this vital information to my kids and will not allow anyone else to obstruct or interfere with my responsibility.

Another very critical issue for which I believe I am primarily responsible for teaching my kids is sexuality. Some might be tempted to believe it is a school’s job or the government’s job (same thing) to teach children about sexuality when the truth is that it is a parent’s responsibility. Now, it is true that some parents have abdicated this role in their children’s lives to others: school, government, church. But this does not negate their responsibility, and creating alternative streams for education only further allows parents to be negligent rather than encouraging them to step up.

How to Deal With Entitlement in Kids…and Parents!

Posted on January 16, 2014 in Family by

And many of us want to give our kids every advantage, we want them to have everything we didn’t have growing up, so we struggle with giving our kids the latest and greatest of everything. One by-product of our sincerely good intentions is a generation with an entitlement mentality believing they are owed anything and everything. Those items we would have described as “wants” and “privileges” when we were growing up are now called “needs” and “necessities” by our kids. Something went wrong.

If Home School Students Do Better Academically – Why Criticize?

Posted on January 15, 2014 in Home School by

It’s not surprising to me that people are choosing to home school their kids rather than send them to one of the nation’s many failing public schools. Try as they may, everyone from lawmakers to talking heads openly criticizes anyone who considers home schooling, yet the trend continues to grow. One lawmaker in Ohio even proposed a bill that would require social services investigation, background checks, and approval before parents be allowed to home school.

At one time the majority of people that home schooled did so for religious reasons. These families wanted to instill certain religious convictions in their kids that would result in a worldview based on their religious beliefs. And while many continue to home school for that same reason, it seems many others are choosing to home school for academic reasons. (A small percentage chooses home schooling for safety reasons.)

I’ve spoken before (here) about the fact that home schoolers almost always fare better academically than their public school counterparts.

The Definition of Marriage is More Than A Defintion

Posted on January 10, 2014 in Family, Marriage by

The definition of marriage is not just an arbitrary conglomeration of words with no meaning. But that is exactly what those seeking to redefine marriage are trying to make it. Opponents of traditional marriage believe the definition is too narrow and exclusive, so they are seeking to broaden the definition in order to be more inclusive.

The problem is that by broadening the definition of marriage, these self-titled liberals and progressives would also erase any actual or perceived definition of marriage. Marriage is inherently the union of one man and one woman for one lifetime. For example, the Webster online dictionary defines marriage thus:

A Hurried Life is Hard on a Family

Posted on January 7, 2014 in Family by

There’s an old saying I’ve heard all my life which says, “If Satan can’t make you bad, he’ll make you busy.” This sly strategy has effectively rendered the life of many Christians null and void. While inspiring authors like John Piper say “Don’t Waste your Life,” and visionary pastors like David Platt call us to be “Radical,” and respected leaders like Francis Chan push us toward a “Crazy Love” for God; Satan pushes us toward the breaking point with calendars so full they rival presidents and pop stars. Click here for 5 characteristics of a hurried life.

To say that we are “hurried” is perhaps a great understatement; hurried would be an improvement for most people today. Between strenuous workloads for mom and dad that produce less and cost more, school activities, community activities, sports, fund raisers, and the typical errands of life; we are far more than “hurried.”

And sadly, many people don’t see the hidden dangers of their hurried lives; or the consequences a hurried life has on children. Most notably is the negative effect on family a hurried life produces as each member of the family becomes a “ship in the night” passing by daily without more than a few minutes of interaction. In fact, one recent article I read says that in the very near future new homes won’t even include a dining room because they will be considered “unnecessary.” Yet we read in Deuteronomy 6:6-9 that one of the main times of teaching our kids occurs when we “sit down in our house” to eat. Click here to read about how to lead even when life gets busy.

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