Last week my daughter (7) was supposed to research the Zuni culture for school. I was standing behind her as she typed “what is a zuni” into Google Chrome.
As she typed, the predictive text “what is a…” started giving her suggestions about what she might be looking for. And I was horrified.
These suggestions were based on what the world at large looks for on the internet. I’ll let your imaginations fill in the rest.
I realized in that moment that I have a nearly impossible job as a parent. I cannot simply protect my kids from the evil and darkness of this world. It is so much more complex than that.
I have to teach my kids how to navigate the dangers of technology in a horrendously broken world that I barely understand.
This is terrifying.
That same night we bought Circle and installed it on all our devices.
I began praying daily that God would show me how to help my children live in a world so broken. And beyond that, to bring light and hope to such darkness.
I have no idea what I’m doing as a mom, and the world is changing so incredibly quickly. My generation still has a lot to gain from the wisdom of moms who have done this before us. But technology is a new and unknown and constantly changing challenge.
I have to – every single day – make the choice to trust God with the kids He gave me to raise.
I have to, again and again, surrender control and fear and choose to enter into the world in hopes of staying one step ahead of my kids to show them the way.
These Words of Mine 
Although the horrors of technology are now glaringly present as you raise your kids please don’t dismiss the wisdom to be gleaned from the mommas before you. They prayed the same prayers and walked the same fears you face (that the world would eat their children alive) I’m still on my knees daily for my “babies” (ages 25 & 27)
That’s good advice, Julie. I shouldn’t discount the wisdom of moms before me just because the world looks different. I need all the help I can get from moms who have been through these years. Thanks for that reminder.
I realized from you comment that I had unintentionally communicated that I didn’t value the wisdom of moms before me. I definitely do. A lot. I’ve updated the post to reflect that.