Catholic parenting is my passion.
Over the past five years I’ve been called overprotective and
out-of-touch. I’ve been informed that I
must allow my children to grow up in “the real world.” I’ve heard the constant refrain “they’re
going to be exposed to (this, that, and the other thing) eventually,” as if I
don’t know that. But what I also know is
that it is my responsibility as a parent to be vigilant as to the manner and
timing of my kids’ exposure to those elements of today’s culture that seek to
prevent me from achieving my parenting goals. My hope is that by allowing my
children to be pure of heart and mind for as long as possible, they will build
both the mindset to recognize the perversity that pervades modern culture and
the critical thinking skills they’ll need to successfully battle it.
Much of what I’ve learned about parenting has resulted from my
own mistakes. I think I’ll start by
sharing the parenting goals my husband and I set about two years ago as we
discerned the direction in which we wished to take our daughters’ formal
education.
I agree that parents should decide what is appropriate for their children, regardless of what current norms appear to be. Parenting based on what others are doing seems like a very bad idea. It's fine to know what others are doing, but ultimately each parent bears individual responsibility for their decisions, so I'm with you -- don't assume something is okay just because it's what's done "these days".
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