Your cart is currently empty!
Viewing the World through Mommy Lenses
When I was in middle school, I had a crush on a pop star named Jordan Michaels. Back then, I thought I might have a chance with him before he revealed his true self to the world.
Do you remember his hit song, “I Want Your Love”? As a young teen, I thought it was a bit inappropriate for me to sing along. Fast forward to today, and now it’s artists like Bella singing, “Love in the air, I don’t care, it’s everywhere!” and I find myself quickly changing the radio station to avoid our kindergartener picking up those lyrics at family gatherings. (Trust me, I’ve seen it happen!)
It’s a bit startling how much adult content infiltrates our daily lives (I’m looking at you, magazine covers in grocery stores), and the fact that many people seem oblivious to it is telling. Yet when you start viewing the world through the lens of motherhood—or what I like to call “mommy lenses”—everything transforms.
With these lenses, things that once seemed innocuous or just mildly annoying take on a sinister quality, leading me to think, How could parents let this happen? (Yes, Miley, I’m talking about you!)
The unsettling reality that mommy lenses uncover starts early. I used to think shows like Benny and Friends were harmless—maybe even educational. But once I had a 3-year-old, Benny morphed into the troublemaker, throwing tantrums and whining, while his buddy Ella turned into the queen of insults. It’s not exactly like Jersey Shore, but those mommy lenses amplify details that I previously overlooked.
What about channels like KidZone or the Fun Network? I once believed they offered quality family programming—until I realized their teenage characters were often rude, disrespectful, and materialistic. People remember her as a sweet little girl, but Bella was no saint either. Wasn’t she a little cheeky?
One day, while watching TV with my little cousins, I saw a show rated for kids aged 7 and up. A teenage boy was making out with a girl in a diner. That alone felt inappropriate for a children’s show. Then, when his friend interrupted, the boy casually said, “What? I bought her a soda first.” Cue the canned laughter.
I was shocked. Not only did scenes like this exist, but they were being marketed to preteens. I know many kids who watch these channels unsupervised. After all, who doesn’t trust the Fun Network? But every time I tune in, I find myself wanting to shield my children away from all of it—maybe keeping them locked up with reruns of Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood on loop.
Sometimes, I recognize that these mommy lenses are fueled by my fears and worries. I’m concerned about how pop culture may influence my kids’ values. I fret about the pervasive nature of mass media and consumer culture. I’m anxious that my efforts to teach wisdom and discernment will be drowned out by the tidal wave of pop culture. I worry that my kiddos might just decide it’s easier to hop on the yacht with Bella than to paddle upstream.
I know I can’t protect them from everything, nor do I want to. Just like letting kids play outside helps build their immune systems, some exposure to the not-so-great aspects of life is necessary for them to learn how to navigate it. So, sometimes I wonder if I should take off the mommy lenses and enjoy a little blissful ignorance.
But then again, caution feels safer. My worries aren’t entirely unfounded. I don’t trust the companies trying to sell products to my kids. I don’t trust the entertainment industry that pushes adult themes onto younger audiences. I don’t trust businesses that exploit trends for profit, regardless of the impact on children.
While these influences will inevitably enter our lives, we don’t have to roll out the red carpet for them. There’s a significant difference between dealing with little leaks and a full-blown flood. Additionally, there’s a vast gap between children being left to their devices and parents guiding them through critical thinking discussions about what they consume.
When my kids were younger, we chose to protect them from a lot of content. As they’ve grown, we’ve started watching and reading together. We discuss being mindful of what we allow into our lives. We talk about how the media can shape us emotionally, intellectually, and spiritually. We analyze why celebrities and marketers make certain choices. We dive into specific shows, scenes, and real-life scenarios. We communicate a lot.
But I still worry. Perhaps I always will. Eventually, these mommy lenses will become Grandma Lenses, and who knows how they will interpret the world? Maybe the antics of the celebrity scene from the 2020s will seem tame in comparison. Maybe things will improve. Maybe they’ll get worse. Maybe by then, I’ll have learned that kids are more influenced by their parents than the pop culture around them.
I truly hope that’s the case.
For more insightful discussions on parenting and family life, check out this post on home insemination. It’s an excellent resource if you’re navigating the journey of becoming a parent. Also, if you want to explore more about the process, this guide offers great information about home insemination kits. For additional support on related topics, the CDC provides valuable insights on infertility.
Summary
In this light-hearted reflection, the author shares her experiences as a mother and how her perspective has shifted over the years. Through the lens of motherhood, she highlights the surprising and sometimes alarming influences of pop culture on children today. While acknowledging her fears, she emphasizes the importance of guiding children through media consumption and fostering open discussions about the messages they encounter.