Sexting? Maybe it is time to head for the mountians.

This morning I am really worried about a news report I just read. Worried like pull my kids out of school, move them to a mountain top, and keep them isolated until time to call them adults and send them out on their own.  Do you ever feel like that?

Sometimes I feel like the world around us has gotten so blasted out of control that the only way I can protect my children is to keep them far far away from it. Then I have to stop and ask... What is my ultimate goal as a parent?  Is it to shelter my children and keep them safe? I want to do that and it certainly is part of my goal. However, as a parent that isn't actually my main goal. My main goal is to raise an independent, productive, responsible, adult who knows Christ as his/her savior. That is the end goal.

I don't believe I can accomplish this by taking them to the mountains and sheltering them but man it is tempting. Parenting is hard that is for sure. I keep telling myself that my kids will be okay.  They have two parents who love God, love each other, and love them. They are good kids.  But when you read an article like the one that follows it is scary.

Gloucester girl charged in child pornography case

I am not sure what it is that scares me the most about this article. I don't know if it is the idea of what the kids are actually doing or if it is the fact that they would charge a 14 year old with something like child pornography. Talk about life long ramifications for a stupid mistake.  Registering as a sex offender for the rest of their lives. So many opportunities lost :(

I think back to being a 13 or 14 year old girl with all the fears and insecurities that come with that.  I like to think that I would never had sent pictures of myself over a cell phone. But the reality is I can't say that for sure. I am sure I wouldn't have when I was 16 but when I was 14ish I am not sure. I don't think I would have but then again I remember that desperate my world is going to end if he doesn't love me too kind of feeling that you have when you are 14 and have your first real crush. You know not the "I'm going with him" kinda crush but the talk to him on the phone and try to find a way to see him kinda crush.  When the hormones first kick in and we are physically mature enough to want something we aren't emotionally mature enough to handle. I think back to then and it scares me.

My heart breaks for these girls who want to be loved so badly they would do this. My heart also breaks for the boys who want to be respected by their peers so badly they would share the pictures. This isn't an easy time to be a teen. I don't really guess any time is. I just have to remember the goal. An an independent, responsible, adult who knows Christ as his/her savior. The end goal is the only thing that keeps me from heading to the mountains.




Shell