Archive: February 2011
Parenting a Teen Idol
Yesterday, Focus on the Family’s Jim Daly posted a very heartfelt blog about Billy Ray Cyrus, the father of actress Miley Cyrus. Chances are, even if you’ve never watched an episode of Hannah Montana, you’re familiar with this teen star.
I remember four years ago, at my son’s (Christian) school’s talent show, most of the girls between 2nd and 6th grade who performed sang a Hannah Montana song. Miley and her Hannah Montana character was obviously dearly loved and looked up to by these young girls–whether or not she wanted to be a role model– she was marketed and accepted by kids and parents as a role model.
Over the last couple years Miley has been tabloid fodder due to some rather poor choices on her part. Scantly clad in several magazine photos; a strip tease-type performance at the 2009 Teen Choice Awards; and the newest scandal to hit the media–a recent You Tube video showing Miley taking hits off a bong.
Miley Cyrus just turned 18 last November.
She grew up entrenched in an industry that consumes youth and innocence and replaces them with unyielding temptation and a sense of entitlement. Add to those the media driven illusion that a teenager is capable of making decisions without the need of parental involvement, and you have the perfect recipe for disaster!
Did I mention parental involvement?
In this interview Billy Ray was humbly honest about failing to be the parent Miley needed during those pivotal years, and had instead tried too hard to be her friend. He openly regrets some of his parental decisions (or lack of…) in dealing with his teen idol daughter.
From an interview with GQ Magazine, Cyrus says, “How many interviews did I give and say, ‘You know what’s important between me and Miley is I try to be a friend to my kids’? I said it a lot. And sometimes I would even read other parents might say, ‘You don’t need to be a friend, you need to be a parent.’ Well, I’m the first guy to say to them right now: You were right. I should have been a better parent. I should have said, ‘Enough is enough–it’s getting dangerous and somebody’s going to get hurt.’ I should have, but I didn’t. Honestly, I didn’t know the ball was out of bounds until it was way up in the stands somewhere.”
Few of us have ever had the colossal task of raising a teen idol. I can’t even imagine what it was like for Billy Ray and his wife during these years in the constant spotlight. It does make me think of Proverbs 22:6 Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.
Unlike the vast majority of the public who sit back and throw barbs at the Cyrus family, I would rather be a bit more introspective and forgiving than judgmental. I would rather pray for their wisdom, even now–than bash their lack of parenting back then. Because, honestly, we all make parenting mistakes. It’s just that ours aren’t splashed all over the tabloids for the world to criticize. Thankfully!
As Christian parents, how do you raise God-fearing, level-headed teenagers in the days we are living? How do you give them enough freedom to make their own mistakes and hopefully learn from those mistakes– but not too much freedom that it ultimately causes them to crash and burn?
It’s a delicate mix I would assume.
How do you use the Bible as a light unto your (parental) path? Let’s discuss this…
You can follow Lisa on twitter @lisastrnad and she blogs regularly at talking like a girl.
Have You Seen the NEW Jelly Telly?
A Christian online mini-network, geared to kids, that can be accessed anytime with content viewable on demand. Brilliant! -right? Have you heard of Jelly Telly? If not– you are in for a fun surprise!
Created by Phil Vischer and presented by Focus on the Family, Jelly Telly has just re-launched with an updated, more user friendly version of itself. Still with the adorable cast of characters that the What’s in the Bible? fans know and love, but now with even more content! Phil’s gift has always been the ability to bring kids (and parents) quality media with a message. To bring faith alive and make it relevant–but done in a fun, entertaining way.
If you head over to the Jelly Telly site you will see that the design of the landing page is super cute, and very easy to navigate. There are video clips and full episodes of Jelly Telly’s Buck Denver and Friends, Buck’s Mailbag as well as other well known Focus on the Family shows like, Last Chance Detective and Adventures in Odyssey.
A favorite of mine is the Characters Section. Do you or your kids want to know more about Sunday School Lady, Michael or The Bentley Brothers? Go into this area (or simply click on their picture located at the top of the page) and meet the cast of characters! You can read their bios, interesting facts about each of them, and even their key phrases! –Think “Ponies”! Below these character bios, they have attached some featured content and fun clips. It’s a great way for kids to get to know their favorite characters! Here’s one of my favorite videos from Michael:
Do you like the idea of accessing games for the kids but are a little hesitant about allowing them to play something online? No need to fear– the much loved Clive and Ian will take them on a wacky Air Adventure! There will be more coming to this section as the site takes off.
Grown ups, there is an area for you, as well. There is a video message from Phil explaining in further detail what Jelly Telly is all about. This section ties into the site’s blog updates, and has a way for you to access fun coloring pages and crafts for the kids.
We hope you can take a self guided tour through this site and let us know what you think. Do you and your kids like the format? — content? — message? Let us know! If you absolutely love what you see, please help us spread the word to your friends!
You can follow Lisa on twitter @lisastrnad and she blogs regularly at talking like a girl.
A Valentine Craft: WITB Goody Bags
Looking for a fun way to share What’s in the Bible? with your friends this Valentine’s Day? Our friend Lisa Kirkwood came up with this fun craft after we put out the call for What’s in the Bible? themed crafts last week.
Lisa and her kids made these adorable goody bags with a message from your favorite characters.
WITB Goody Bag Instructions
WITB Goody Bag Tags Artwork
John 3:16 Too Controversial?
The ratings are in! There’s a good probability that you were somewhere on Sunday watching the Super Bowl. Each year, advertisers with super sized budgets sink millions of dollars into Super Bowl commercials. After the game, discussion and analysis revolve around how amusing or interesting the commercials were. The ultimate goal being the same: to sell a product.
In a few regional markets throughout the country, just before the fourth quarter of the Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Green Bay Packers game, a 30-second biblically based spot popped up– to the surprise of many football fans.
Most of the larger urban markets were not part of the demographics chosen to view this ad. It was originally rejected by Fox Sports for containing too much “religious doctrine” and for being too offensive.
Wow! Offensive?! When I think of an offensive spot, I think about the Kim Kardashian’s Shape Up commercial, where sexual innuendo ran amok. But I digress…
The commercial I’m talking about starts with a group of friends watching a football game in a living room. They cheer when one of the players on defense tackles his opponent. Then a closeup is shown of the defensive player’s eye black where he has painted “John 3:16.” One of the viewers asks his neighbor what that means. After the neighbor shrugs, the viewer offers to look it up for them on his cell phone.
The commercial concludes with “LookUp316.com: A Message of Hope.”
It needs to be noted that the commercial features no preaching but simply encourages curious viewers to look up John 3:16.
I knew about this ad controversy last week. Sadly, I wasn’t expecting to see it air in my hometown, where we have NO Christian bookstores– but instead have a Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus and even a Hooters right off the interstate! We really needed to have it aired out here!
As a Christian I am neither surprised nor am I angry that this ad was not aired nationally. I know I probably should be outraged…but I’m not. I’ve just come to a realization that God’s ways are not ours. His timing is hardly ever understood. His methodologies are perfect and very exact and beyond comprehension.
Here’s and interesting fact: The first hour after the commercial aired in only some markets, the Look Up 316 website that the commercial advertised drew so much traffic that it was difficult to load the web page!
Don’t get me wrong, every year I look forward to seeing what commercials have been chosen to make their debut during this event. We always have watched the Super Bowl as a family. Advertisements for beer, in and of themselves, have never worried me. We eat Doritos and drink Coke. No biggie. But there does appear to be a new line drawn in the sand as to what is considered acceptable content on TV. That does worry me. Not because I keep my kids in a bubble, either. I think it’s the new level of lewdness and sarcasm that I find so disturbing.
Every year there were many ads that don’t make it to air for one reason or another. With today’s technology and the money making potential from sheer online exposure, it doesn’t really matter too much. All those non-aired commercials picked up zillions of hits on the Internet the past couple of weeks merely because they were identified as potential Super Bowl ads. Their companies got all the exposure that goes with placing an ad in the game, without the $3 million average cost.
While exposure is always a good thing, the people behind Lookup316.com, at Fixed Point Foundation, weren’t just selling a product or service. They wanted to do something meaningful. With all the hype and zany commercials that we viewed on Sunday, can you pick even two that were meaningful? I can’t. Cute, funny, and even gross– but meaningful?
This morning there is hype behind the Lookup316 movement. There are online articles and several blogs which have been written on this subject. Check out Facebook! There is dialogue!– and that’s important! Because in the whole scheme of advertising, the plan is working. People are going to the website to satisfy their own curiosity. A curiosity which is probably even greater now than it would have been if the ad simply aired between the Budweiser and Doritos commercial on Sunday!
I think Green Bay Packers’ Greg Jennings said it best, after winning the Super Bowl on Sunday, “To God be the Glory!”
I’d really like to hear your feedback on the subjects of controversy and commercialism, and how you and your family deal with it. Please share your thoughts!
You can follow Lisa on twitter @lisastrnad and she blogs regularly at talking like a girl.
Bee Mine DIY Valentine’s Day Craft – and a craft contest!
Are you looking for a craft project to do with the kids this week? Instead of the Fun Dip ready made Valentines, why not give these a try? They’re super cute and pretty easy, perfect for gifts to family and friends. Cute little pipe cleaner bumble bees hold a lollipop:
From Kaboose.Com Crafts (Click the link to watch an instructional video)
Materials
Black and yellow pipe cleaners
Glue
Googly eyes
Yellow tissue paper cut in the shape of small hearts (used for wings)
Scissors
Colored card stock cut in the shape of larger hearts
Hole punch
Marker
Lollipops
Instructions:
Fold one 6-inch black pipe cleaner into a V shape.
Holding the other black piece alongside the yellow pipe cleaner, wrap both stems together around the V at the same time–wrap tightly. Use the stems’ entire length and be sure to leave a small gap at the folded end, where you’ll slide in the lollipop stick. Bend back the ends of the V to form antennae.
Glue on googly eyes and yellow tissue paper wings.
Cut a heart shape from colored card stock. Punch two holes about an inch apart in the heart–off to the side– then write “Mine” or “I Love you” or whatever Valentine’s saying you like on it, plus any other message on the back. Then slide the bee onto the lollipop and slip the lollipop stick through the holes.
Tips:
For two gifts in one, add a magnetic strip to the back of the bee so he can stick around after the lollipop is gone.
CALLING ALL CRAFTERS:
We’re looking for FUN craft ideas featuring What’s in the Bible? characters or themes!
If you come up with a fun kid-craft that can implement our What’s in the Bible? characters or themes, send it to us–along with pictures or a tutorial!! If we post it on the blog, you’ll win a free copy of What’s in the Bible? DVD #1 !!
Email melanie@whatsinthebible.com with your ideas!
What’s in the Bible? Finger Puppets?
We’re thinking about making a set of What’s in the Bible? finger puppets, but we need your help! Please vote:
Which 3 characters would you like turned in to finger puppets?
Top Websites for Kids
My goal this week was to come up with some fun, educational and entertaining websites for kids. I’m first going to let you guys in on one site that helps me navigate the web, and choose some of the sites we use all the time.
www.kidsites.com is a great launching pad to find all sorts of sites for kids based on their interests. Science stuff, coloring pages for the little’s, gamin interests, and even an grownups/ parents section that can lead you to valuable articles addressing everything from ADHD, Autism, home schooling, parenting, healthy cooking, etc.
Keep in mind that this is not a “Christian” site, so a measure of discernment is always a good idea. I’ve been able to navigate through some things which I know my family wouldn’t use, and have been blessed with information that I wouldn’t have begun to know how to find elsewhere!
Some kids are really into gaming online, but mine aren’t. We keep their Internet time allotment separate from their Wii or Nintendo DS time. In this respect, I find that they use their Internet time on more educational sites. But these sites are fun, and have “games” and fun-facts– so it isn’t painful in anyway!
Here are the sites that my kids utilize all the time:
1. Bill Nye the Science Guy
I love Bill Nye. Many of you may even remember his Emmy Award winning show from the 80’s. He combines a great combination of science and goofiness that kids eat up! Keep in mind that Nye presents some facts from an evolutionist point of view. This hasn’t affected us, because I teach Creation to my kids, but they are also aware that some people believe in evolution, and what it is. I use this site mainly for physical science, where my understanding is pretty lacking!
2. Creation Ministries International site geared for kids
This site is GREAT when you are dealing with those evolution / Creation questions!! They even have a fun fact page on dinosaurs, that I have used with my kids and their questions like, “Were there dinosaurs on Noah’s Ark?”
3. Kidipede
Kidipede is a super site if you have a little historian on your hands, like I do, or if the kids have a report due and need valuable resource information. This site is geared mainly to kids who are middle school age or older. Science is also taught in relation to the historical facts. A very classical approach to learning about societies and their contributions.
4. SI Kids (Sports Illustrated for Kids)
If you have kids who love sports, but want to keep them away from the site with scantly clad females, this site seems to be ok. They have videos, interviews with sport super-stars, and enough facts that your little statistician can sink his or her teeth into!
5. The White House 101
Taking into consideration that politics can be a hot-bed of controversy, I still really like this site. There are areas that kids can learn how our government works, read about issues that are currently being addressed by this Administration, interviews with the President, behind the scenes press briefings and a gallery of photos. There is also a great history given about the White House and the Presidency.
6. Story Nory – Downloadable audio stories for kids
This site is the place to go if your kids love to listen to audio books! There are classics, fairy tales, and newer releases which are geared for kids. I like letting my 8 year old go in and choose one story per week which we can listen to, together. Wizard of Oz is currently being broken down into weekly chapters!
7. Disney’s Club Penguin
Club Penguin is a hugely popular entertainment site for kids! It’s by membership, so you do have a monthly charge to utilize this platform. But kids get to choose their own penguin avatar which then allows them to navigate through the site, play numerous games and even connect and play with their friends right on site. Disney promotes this site as being both a creative and safe place for kids to come and play. Membership sites are definitely on the rise!
8. Nickelodeon / Nick / Nicktoons
Nick has a site that would interest kids from preschool up to about middle school. Videos to include Spongebob, Dora, and iCarly. I realize that there are some parents who strongly oppose the Nickelodeon programming, but I still wanted to give you this as an option. We just happen to be Spongebob fans. Nick.com also has a membership area, but my kids haven’t signed up for it, so I’m not sure what “extras” you get as a member.
9. BigLight Gaming (Christian friendly online gaming)
This site promotes itself as being “Christian family gaming”. They even have a verse of the week on the landing page. We’re new to this site, but so far my 12 year old has found it to be user friendly and the games to be OK. It isn’t a membership site, but you do need a login name and password to enter the games area. I’d love to get feedback from you guys as well, since I am NOT a gamer in any way!
10. Jelly Telly
From our friends at Jellyfish Labs and Focus on the Family, this site is one that I feel totally confident about recommending! The subject matter and content is always written using a Biblical world view. This site has it all: fun games, video clips and actual whole shows that can be viewed online. Shows like: Adventures in Odyssey, Buck Denver and Friends, and Buck’s Mailbag. If you’re a fan of What’s in the Bible?, you will absolutely love Jelly Telly!
Do you allow your kids to go online? What sites do you recommend or approve? Do you belong to a membership site? Let us know, and attach a URL in your message.
You can follow Lisa on twitter @lisastrnad and she blogs regularly at talking like a girl.
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