Have you walked down a toy aisle lately? It's like a eerie walk through a torture chamber, full of demons, monsters and "power" forces. Oh, it's not all that -- there's also the fashion aisle -- the one whereby little girls are encouraged to covet beautiful clothes, cars and homes so that when they grow up, they can want the same things -- only larger.
"Our voluntary thoughts not only reveal what we are, they predict what we will become," wrote A.W. Tozer. That is as true (maybe more so) of children as it is of adults.
Amazingly, perfectly intelligent adults allow their children to play with anything the children desire. The same parents who would be horrified if their children choose to play in a mud puddle, let them wallow in the sewage of evil through evil toys and cartoons.
Parents who may be careful about his child's human companions, may not be as careful about his child's imaginary companions through toys, books, television, movies and videos.
"Evil communications corrupt good manners," wrote Paul in I Corinthians 15:33.
"He that walketh with wise men, shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed," Proverbs 13:20.
In modern idiom -- "garbage in, garbage out." What one puts in, one will put out -- physically, emotionally, intellectually and spiritually.
Allowing children to play with toys which depict unwholesome beings and/or activities will not enhance wholesome characters. It is a parent's duty, nay, responsibility and privilege, to shape his child's imagination and character through play as well as through work.
"The mother's heart is the child's schoolroom," wrote Henry Ward Beecher. A foolish mother, who does not repent of her foolishness and seek wisdom, will (apart from Divine intervention) reap a fool for a son or daughter.
A mother who is too slothful to take a hard stand against the evil influences of this world will be sorry later. It is hard to say "no" to a child's pleas, especially if shopping trips involve long leisurely walks down the toy aisles. But, a mother can deliberately choose not to lead her child in the paths of temptation and avoid some of the problems all together.
Another area is in what children watch -- television shows and cartoons are blatantly advertising for more products. Parents, take a bit of time and sit down and watch a cartoon with your child on Saturday morning. Probably most parents simply use the television as a babysitter -- a means to "keep the children out of your hair" -- more than a teaching tool. But, anything you allow into your children's minds -- and hearts -- is teaching them.
During that time of TV watching together, note the number of commercials. Also, take note of all incidences of violence or unkindness. Ever wonder why you have so much rough play between your child and his/her siblings and friends? Maybe they learned it directly from the influence you've put in front of them every Saturday morning.
It's time parents stopped playing into the hands of the toy manufacturers and cartoons producers and take control of their own homes and families. It's time to choose what will influence our children instead of letting someone else dictate our values.
Choose wholesome, good values and companions for your children or be prepared to reap the evil harvest of seeds sown in negligence.
Dr. William Sears, pediatrician, author and father of eight, wrote:
"In selecting the right toy for your child ask yourselves:
1. What will it teach my child?
2. Will it hold my child's attention?
3. Is it safe?
4. Is it annoying for me to see or hear?
5. Does it promote creativity, social interaction?
6. Is it non--combative, non--aggressive?
7. Does it foster hand--eye coordination and problem--solving skills?
8. Can it be enjoyed by both genders?
9. How many senses does it stimulate?
10. Will I enjoy playing with this toy?
"So many toys, so little time. Play is children's work, and toys are their tools. From a baby's first attempts to grab a rattle to a teen's mastery of the intricacies of a computer game, children learn reasoning, concentration, and motor, social, and language skills from toys. Toys can enhance curiosity and teach a child to make wise choices."
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Editor's note: Annette Beard is the managing editor of The Times of Northeast Benton County, chosen the best small weekly newspaper in Arkansas three years in a row. A native of Louisiana, she moved to northwest Arkansas in 1980 to work for the Benton County Daily Record. She has nine children, four sons--in--law, four grandsons, a granddaughter and another due in August. She can be reached at [email protected].
Editorial on 12/18/2013