Marilyn, Author at - Page 5 of 5

Help Kids Reject Pornography: 5 Powerful Parenting Tips

By MarilynJan 13, 2017

Over the past several months I have had the opportunity to meet frequently with Claudine Gallacher, writing coach of the best-selling children’s book, Good Pictures Bad Pictures. Do I consider this good fortune? Absolutely! As a regular contributor and editor of the Protect Young Minds blog, Gallacher has gathered a wealth of knowledge regarding how children respond to pornography. Each time we meet I make a point to pick her brain for tidbits and advice on how parents can help keep kids safe from online pornography. With her permission, I'm sharing her advice on how to give your children the…

Safeguarding & Prevention

Do Schools Encourage Students to view Pornography?

By MarilynJan 05, 2017

When Gary Wilson described internet pornography “as the fastest moving, most global experiment ever unconsciously conducted” he was spot on. Our school system, as it stands now, is unwittingly encouraging students to join the experiment! Hold on to your seat because it’s time for me to rant! Please imagine I am shouting this entire post though I will spare you the ALL CAPS! More and more research is confirming that porn tops the list of highly addictive substances. It has the ability to rewire the brain and deteriorate growth in the prefrontal cortex. Children are especially vulnerable. Yet, schools remain…

Getting Involved

5 Effective Strategies to Align School Sex-Ed Programs with Your Family Values

By MarilynNov 03, 2016

Nothing irks parents and teachers more than when government bureaucrats and outside agencies step in and dictate exactly what, when and how children should be taught. The introduction of a new sex-education curriculum is likely to cause more agitation than any other subject. Opponents of sex-ed curriculums argue that when children are given too much information, too soon it grooms children toward deviant sexual behavior. On the other hand, supporters insist that public schools have an ethical responsibility to educate children with accurate and up-to-date information in all aspects of their health. The purpose of this article is not to…

Honest Sex Talks, Parenting & Communication

Spotting The Lies: Porn’s Misrepresentation of Sex

By MarilynOct 13, 2016

Last week I posted a link to an information page created by childline.org.uk. The page is designed to help children make sense of the pornography they are regularly exposed to online. As you follow through the link you’ll notice the language is quite stark. You might even describe the advice given as dispassionate or void of direction. Take heart; there's a good reason for this. Helplines such as this provide children with a place to talk and ask questions they might be embarrassed or afraid to ask anywhere else. Because of the anonymity and acceptance of all queries at the helpline, barriers are broken…

Parenting Survival Tips

Does Your School get a Passing Grade on Pornography Awareness?

By MarilynSep 23, 2016

I started to feel a bit anxious as I sat waiting for the Principal in the school office—like I was a kid getting in trouble for something I didn’t do. Interestingly enough, when she opened her door and extended a welcoming hand, I sensed similar apprehensions on her part. For better or worse, I had managed until this moment to slip under the radar of our new Administration. Now here I was at our first face-to-face, ready to talk about pornography and its influence at school—Gulp! I knew, according to the letter that had come home on the first day…

Getting Involved

4 Steps to Creating an Effective Internet Safety Contract with your Family

By MarilynSep 12, 2016

The value of creating an Internet Safety Contract is often overlooked by many families. For starters, it's an incredibly simple way to start a discussion with children about a number of online dangers, not the least of which is pornography. The start of a new school year is an excellent time to establish and review these safety guidelines. In fact, your children have probably brought home a letter for you to sign with them, acknowledging that you both know what it means to use the technology at school appropriately. We certainly did. It was sent home on the first day…

Parenting & Communication, Safeguarding & Prevention

5 Questions Every Parent Should Be Able to Answer About Pornography

By MarilynSep 01, 2016

It’s been said that we are the first generation that must talk to our children about pornography. Like many, you may not feel ready to have that conversation. You may even wonder how relevant this issue is to your own kids. Explore the answers to these five important questions and we promise you will be ready to start talking today! #1 Are my children really at risk of being exposed to pornography? The answer is YES. Research demonstrates it is not a question of IF… but WHEN children will be exposed to pornography. 11-years-old is the average age when kids are…

Parenting Survival Tips

What Would You Say? —Speaking to youth about pornography

By MarilynAug 18, 2016

For four days this week, I have had the privilege of hanging out with some of the coolest teens you will ever meet. I am at the University of Waterloo, Ontario attending what is called YLC (Youth Leadership Conference) for the LDS church. Nearly 600 youth are in attendance. In observing these kids I can see that individually they are each shy, anxious and worried about life in one way or another. But they are also exceptionally bright, fun, exuberant and strong. Together they are a force to be reckoned with. The combined creativity and imagination among these youth is…

Getting Involved

How Talking about the News Can Protect Kids from Pornography

By MarilynJul 21, 2016

Is the news getting you down lately? Here’s clever a trick! Use today’s bad news to bring about positive results in your family relationships. At your next sit down meal mention something that’s causing you concern from current news/events and ask your kids if they know anything about it. Let them respond in their own words, then see where the discussion leads. You may be surprised how many topics you will cover with one news story. Building strong bonds The fact is, any time you can have an honest and frank discussion with your kids, regardless of the topic, you…

Parenting & Communication, Safeguarding & Prevention

Gardening and the Adolescent Brain

By MarilynJun 23, 2016

“Adolescence is not a stage to simply get over, it’s a stage of life to cultivate well” Daniel J. Siegel, M.D. I’m curious to know how many days of perfect weather we are entitled to each year. Regardless of the answer, I know today is one of them. Gorgeous warm sunshine tamed by a cool breeze. Plus, I am home—during perfect gardening conditions! Like many, I love the idea of gardening. It’s a way to cultivate beauty in my patch of real-estate. It also makes me feel I am in some small way living off the land. However, I have…

Parenting Survival Tips