Christian Parenting Tips: Using Pinterest
From a very young age, children can choose drugs, pornography, and other negative influences. Fortunately, “[n]o matter how evil the world becomes, our families can be at peace. If we do what’s right, we will be guided and protected.” [1] Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (commonly called Mormons) know why Christian parenting is important.
Why is Christian Parenting important?
Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, to teach them to love and serve one another, to observe the commandments of God and to be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives—mothers and fathers—will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations. [2]
Ancient and modern prophets have taught the importance of teaching children about Christ and raising them to be the future citizens, mothers and fathers. “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it (Proverb 22:6).” “Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right… And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord (Ephesians 6:1, 4).” Technology can be a bad influence, but can also give parents ideas and tools to meet the needs of their family. Once such tool is Pinterest.
Christian Parenting: Using Pinterest
Accessible either as a website or an app, Pinterest is the rapidly growing social media platform designed to function like a series of virtual corkboards so that people can create, organize and share collections of images from the Internet
… “It really has become just this great place to collect everything you find online,” McCratic said. “Before Pinterest you had to worry about keeping emails or sorting stuff in (computer) folders or actually printing things out.” [3]
Look up Parenting Ideas: Search online Pinterest Boards such as: NurtureStore, Kids Gardens, Play with Playdough, Kid Blogger Network Activities and Crafts, The Parent Watercooler, Reading and Writing Readiness, The Weekly Kids Co-op, and Creative Mamas Inspiration Cafe [4]
Search Relationship/Dating ideas:
Evaluate your relationship with your spouse, before focusing on ways to better discipline your children. Take time for yourselves as a couple, so that you will have more energy to invest in your children. Visit Nifty Date Ideas, We Love Being Moms: Dating, Love Actually Blog, or The Dating Divas for fun dating ideas to do with your spouse.
Carefully Review Images:
Read the caption below the Pinterest images for other parents’ opinions about the Christian parenting materials. If you are interested, click on the image to learn more directly from the online source. Pinterest can help a parent find the best or most recommended ideas related to almost any topic.
You can treat it like a collective community of people with shared interests by utilizing some of the wisdom that they’ve already gained (instead of) doing it all on your own — and probably ending up with the same result. [3]
Use Caution:
Anyone can post or “pin” an image to Pinterest. It could be a research-proven idea, which will help your family; or it may be a company seeking your money. There may also be ideas and tools, which are not the most updated or effective. Sometimes people pin images that are harmful or pornographic. Unfortunately, there is no filter inside of Pinterest, but one can manage their own Pinterest account and fill “boards” with uplifting images.
Set Limits:
“Like many well-intentioned tools in the digital age, Pinterest can be over-stimulating if used in excess.” [3] Enter the Pinterest website with a purpose. You could spend all day looking at fun things to do and waste your time if you never do them. It may also help to limit your time on Pinterest and set an example for your children.
“Digital technologies… can save us time in paying bills and reading the news—and consume it in answering e-mails and posting status updates… They can mobilize us to serve others—and keep us self-absorbed, focused on an unending stream of meaningless minutiae.” [5]
Ask yourself if your time on Pinterest enlarges or restricts your capacity to love your children and care for your family. Parents can help children “establish firm limits for digital use… to wisely balance digital activities with reading, outdoor activities, physical exercise, creative play, service, work, and time with family”. [5]
Christian Parenting Tips:
Participate in Free Community Activities: “Free Printables” can be searched on Pinterest, immediately downloaded, printed, and used as needed. For example, a parent can search for their specific family needs such as craft ideas, budget saving ideas, or ADHD parenting tips. Children can also read The Friend magazine (free online Christian magazine for children that includes lessons, games, and activities) or participate in local clubs, sports, and service opportunities. Talk to your school counselors or administration for local resources such as free parenting classes or programs (such as the Strengthening Families Program).
Hold Family Councils:
Sometimes we are afraid of our children—afraid to counsel with them for fear of offending them. There are priceless blessings to be obtained from counseling together with our families, showing a genuine interest in the lives of our family members… Without this one-on-one counseling together with our children, they are prone to believe that Dad and Mom, or Grandpa and Grandma, don’t understand or care about the challenges they are facing. As we listen with love and refrain from interrupting, the Spirit will help us learn how we can be of help to our children and teach them. [6]
Family councils do not need to be formal. Families can sit together during dinner, and discuss work, school, and other matters that may be important to your children such as soccer, dance, piano, or ballet. Put your to-do-list at the back of your mind, and focus on the present conversation with your children. Kids can intuitively tell whether you are truly listening, and this will show them you care.
Hold Family Prayer and Scripture Study:
For all of us, doing our duty to God as parents and leaders begins with leading by example—consistently and diligently living gospel principles at home. This takes daily determination and diligence… It is our imperative duty to help youth understand and believe the gospel in a deeply personal way… They must understand who they are and who Heavenly Father wants them to become. [7]
“Never let a day go by without holding family prayer and family scripture study… See if it does not bless your home with greater peace, hope, love, and faith” (Elder L. Tom Perry, “Back to Gospel Basics,” Ensign, May 1993, 92).
Pray for Guidance:
“Don’t be afraid or embarrassed. Your child is Heavenly Father’s child.” [7] God answers our prayers and can be the biggest resource to parents. Fortunately, He is available at all times and willing to bless us. Watch this short clip depicting Mormon parenting.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=onAWkFwvY70&feature=youtu.be