From “Lemonade” by Beyonce

MAUREEN wrote a couple of weeks ago in response to this post:

I am so appalled at the latest from Beyoncé. Not to mention her horrific Super Bowl “performance.” It is, without a doubt, Satanic — as so much of popular culture has become.

Do you have any advice on keeping our children safe? We intend to homeschool our two little ones. We’re Roman Catholic, but live in the South. There are a lot of “Christians” but not many Catholics and definitely not many traditional Catholics. How do we protect our children from the filth? I’m so terrified. How did you do it?

Laura writes:

At this point, most children in our culture are victims of child abuse. The major media producers should be in jail for corruption of minors. The public school agenda, especially with Obama’s latest, is a form of child abuse too. When children are sexualized, their development is stunted. They suffer psychological and spiritual harm.  Having not had their innocence for long, they ironically become child-like as adults, as if to recapture their lost childhood. They become the sensual man St. Paul spoke of, who cannot grasp spiritual things.

It’s great that you plan to homeschool and that you recognize the dangers for your children. Like you, I felt panic when my two sons, who are now 27 and 22, were young. If I had to do it over again, I wouldn’t have had the television in our home at all, but we always limited it and kept it away in our bedroom. I eventually became convinced that even good, wholesome television was harmful for children. The image hurts the imagination. Very few people accept that in our world, and some are easily offended if you talk about it, as if you are criticizing them on a deep personal level.

I had never met anyone who had homeschooled their children when I became a parent. Our older son was very involved in classical music, which was a way, we thought, to protect him. He went to public school; our younger son went to a private school that prohibited computer use and all television and then we homeschooled him for seven years. (I don’t mean to suggest I am some great exemplar of what to do. I am not. For one, I should have embraced Catholicism sooner.) Homeschooling is not a panacea or the only option outside of public school, but it is the best option in many cases and I wish I had known more about it earlier. Basically, at this point public school is out. With the internet, you can fortunately make connections with people not in your immediate area and be in touch with a Catholic parish resisting the Vatican II tide. You can take part in the rich liturgical life of true Catholicism and through its graces protect your children from the world around you. You want to be against the world. It’s not easy, but hold your head high, and be prepared to suffer the disdain and snobbery of those who believe it is elitist to keep your children from modern technology and popular culture. Yes, it is elitist. 

True Restoration Radio has some good programs on Catholic homeschooling and forums too. Thankfully, we have the internet, and there are great resources on it (also this). Your children have no need of a computer until much later, however, or an  iphone or television or any gadgetry in their lives at all.

Best to you in your adventures raising your children.

Laura adds:

I failed to mention the most important thing you can do: Regular family prayer, especially the rosary.

Please follow and like us: