I don’t know how many times I have heard this type of statement over the last 21 years.
Have my kids lived in a bubble? Sure. A well-constructed bubble. In fact, the longer I’ve been a mom, I realize that certain parts of that bubble have to become stronger and other parts I can let go.
Where I have strengthened the bubble:
The internet. Need I say more? It’s not the safest place in the world. So that’s why I was thrilled when my husband took the initiative last year to place even more restrictions and filtering with Covenant Eyes.
Time spent with family. When two of ours left for college, it became even clearer that their time with us was precious. When it’s family time, it’s FAMILY TIME. Nothing else. We’ve gotten very, very protective.
Where I have loosened the bubble:
Cultural experiences: After traveling lately, it became all too real to me that our kids can be too ethnocentric — meaning they need to understand how people in other parts of the world live and behave. To think that we have the only way of doing things over here in the United States is to be ignorant.
There is no protection of children's souls in being clueless, scared or ignorant.
Lightsabers: I remember clearly that when my oldest boys were 5, a family relative got them lightsabers for Christmas. I was simply appalled. No violent toys. No guns. No LIGHTSABERS for goodness sake! In the big picture, things such as these weren’t that important. Now, I have to say that Nerf guns and lightsabers have provided some of the most fun family time (see above) that we have had.
Given the choice between protecting them from nebulous effects of having certain toys and more family time, I choose family time hands down.
Bubbles are meant to be popped. By their very nature, they are not permanent. Neither is the time that our children are with us. As much as we would like to make them a fortress, we have to resist.
Yes, at the same time, we should be cautious about exposing them too fast, too soon. Stealing their innocence is just as much a violation of a commandment as any other, for which I do feel we are accountable before God.
So, bubbles? Sure.
Iron safes? Maybe sometimes.
