As parents, it is our job to know what is influencing our family.
It is also our job to manage those influences to provide the best environment for our children, spouse, and ourself!
I will not pretend we can shelter our children from every negative influence in the world, but I want to do my best to set my family up for success!
There is so much truth in this verse…
He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm. ~Proverbs 13:20
While this verse specifically mentions the influence of people, influence comes in many forms…
- TV and movies
- Video and computer games
- Books and magazines
- Friends
- Family members
Let’s just get down to it here: If you think something or someone is a negative influence on your child or family, you can get rid of it! You should get rid of it! It is your job to say, “This is not good for our family and I want it gone!”
That TV show your kids are watching and repeating inappropriate language from? Be gone!
The person on Facebook who constantly makes you think less of your spouse because of their own complaining? Hide or unfriend!
The video game that has brought around a violent side in your child? Good riddance!
I don’t want to sound harsh here, but I believe very firmly in protecting our families, and if something is threatening the family dynamic you are striving to create, then it needs to go.
I understand that people can be a different story. People issues can get messy and complicated, especially with extended family members. We are to love others and be Jesus to them, but when that person is doing some form of harm to you or your family, I believe it is necessary to set firm, clear boundaries or cut ties altogether. This is definitely a matter of prayer and something to be settled between you and Jesus.
Each family has its own standards and beliefs, so this is not a one-size-fits-all family tie, but I want to encourage you to not be afraid to stand up for your family and eliminate the negative influences that have crept into your life!
Your family will be stronger when you regularly and intentionally say, “Out with the bad!”
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Family Tie #17: Sit down with your spouse and identify any negative influences in your family’s life. Determine those that need to be eliminated and make it happen! Teach Proverbs 13:20 to your children to help them make good choices in friendships.
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I'm Erin, a wife, boy mom x 3, writer, and runner in Nebraska! I'm excited to share all my favorites relating to faith, family, fashion, and fitness in this space! Enjoy! 
Tough stuff. What’s currently threatening our family dynamic is being completely consumed with the needs of our foster children. We know it’s taking a too-high toll on our own kids and are bringing in an adoptive teen in a few weeks (who we have cared for before) and need to develop our dynamic and bond with as few influences as possible. We are beginning to feel that it’s time for us to pull away from fostering in light of all of this but it’s hard to also not be smothered in guilt over the decision, to feel that we’re abandoning needy kids in pursuit of a happier home life… Hard to figure out for sure. Thanks for these words today though. I needed to bring this place to the Lord and give it to Him, and this reminded me of that.
Amen! Let me say it again, amen! I think often times people think their kids will have to see it or hear it some day, so they let that day be today. Wrong! I am okay with the fact that my kindergartner still likes Dora and has no clue who Justin Bieber is! As much as I would love cable, I am glad for this reason we don’t have it, I am just as impressionable as my 5 year old!