Warning: a bit rambly and introspective :)
I've been feeling guilty lately and have been unable to figure out why. After reading another blog, it hit me - I've been feeling guilt because of the way I was raised, that certain things were "wrong" just because they were. Such as The Chronicles of Narnia, The Lord of the Rings, and other fantasy genre books. Also, I've been feeling guilty over the way I'm raising my daughter, and plan to raise my next daughter. Now, there really is nothing wrong with the way I'm raising my child, just guilt because it's not the way I was raised so therefore it's "wrong". It's a misplaced guilt, since I'm doing nothing wrong. After all, readingNarnia to my daugher is just fine, since I'm the one reading it to her, answering all her questions and explaining things as we go. And I do think it's helping her understand God and the sacrifice He made for us. I've explained that Aslan is a picture of Jesus and the White Witch is a picture of satan. There's clear dilineation between good and evil, right and wrong. But, growing up, I was never allowed to read Narniasince it had magic, witches, fairy tale creatures and talking animals. Consequently, I've felt like a "bad mom" reading this to my four-year-old. I've also felt a bit guilty because I've let my daughter watch things my mother never would have approved of, as not being "age-appropriate". However, my daughter is rather mature, very curious, and capable of not only understanding but not being "scared" by these movies. (the movie I'm specifically thinking of here is Jesus:He Lived Among Us by Voice of the Martyrs.) The movie is animated, but deals directly with the bloodiness that surrounded Jesus' birth (ie, Herod ordered all boys 2 yrs and under killed to try to keep Jesus from taking his throne) all the way to Jesus being betrayed by Judas Iscariot (and him subsequently taking his life), the movie shows Peter cutting off the guards ear and Jesus putting it back on and healing it. Jesus is shown being beaten (it's not terribly bloody, but still there) and the crown of thorns being placed upon His head. Then the nails are shown being driven into His hand and feet. My daughter has not only NOT had nightmares from this, but I think her understanding of Jesus' life and sacrifice for our sins is heightened. Why I feel guilty about this I don't know, well, maybe I do. After all, growing up I was never allowed to watch or read things like this, therefore, by letting my daughter do so I'm being a "bad" parent, even though I'm not. Sorry for the rambling nature of this post, but I hope that it can help someone else who may be dealing with something similar :)
I am sure I don't have to tell you this, but you are a great mommy. You and your daughters are going to have such a better relationship because you are not sheltering her from life but helping her walk through it. That is what a good parent does.
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