Have you ever felt that awful pang when you say “no” to your kids? They look up at you with those big, hopeful eyes and ask “Mum, can I watch this?” And suddenly you feel like the villain.

It feels like every other parent is saying yes, and you’re left wondering if you’re being too strict by saying no.

I’ll be the first to admit: navigating what our kids watch isn’t easy. I don’t always get it right. In fact, as a mum, I’m still figuring out what’s okay for our kids to watch. But lately, God’s been nudging me. Reminding me that I’m not just a movie monitor, I’ve started thinking of myself as their media mentor. 

We wouldn’t feed our kids junk food every night, right? So why would we let their minds feast on things that don’t nourish them? Just like we prepare nutritious meals for their bodies, we’re called to nourish their minds and spirits too.

“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” — Proverbs 22:6 

In today’s saturated media culture, one of the most loving things we can do is become our children’s media mentors. Movies, TV, and tech aren’t just entertainment. They’re spiritual and moral decisions.

I think many of us have become afraid of “forcing” our kids to be like us, of being “too Christian” or “too controlling. But godly guidance isn’t force…it’s love. It’s walking beside them, helping them see the world through the lens of faith. Our kids don’t need us to be cool. They need us to be clear. They need us to be courageous; our God-given responsibility is to train them up, not just protect them, but prepare them. 

So, I’ve learned to be bolder. To say no with love and clarity. Not just “no, because I said so,” but “no, because I love you—and here’s why.” They don’t have to like it, but they do need to understand and accept it. Sometimes they roll their eyes. Sometimes they cry. But I’ve stopped apologising for protecting them. 

Here are a few responses that have worked well in our home:

• “Not yet- this has adult content that just isn’t age-appropriate.”
• “You can watch it in two years’ time, or we’ll revisit it when you’re aged 10.”
• “Yes, but only when Dad or I can watch it with you.”
• “I know it’s rated PG, and your friends may have seen it, but it’s not right for our family and here’s why. Let’s find something we can enjoy together.”
• “I’m not sure about this one—give me a few days to research or watch it myself, and I’ll let you know.”

It’s not about control- it’s about connection. About helping them think for themselves. We’re saying, what you feed your mind matters.

And let me tell you, nothing makes me prouder than when my kid comes to me and says, “Mum, I don’t think I should watch this because…” Or when he tells me he stood up in the schoolyard and said, “We don’t watch that—and here’s why.”

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” — Romans 12:2 

Before we press play, God has taught me to ask this: Does this line up with Philippians 4:8? Is it true, noble, lovely, admirable? Will it build my child up or just fill them with stuff? And when it’s over, we talk it out. We unpack the story, spot the gospel threads, and name the parts that don’t reflect God’s truth. It’s not just about saying yes or no—it’s about teaching our kids to think deeper, to see with spiritual eyes. 

So, be your child’s media mentor. Walk this journey with them at an age-appropriate level. Love them through their tech and film choices, and trust God do the deeper work in their hearts.

It’s a constant conversation. We won’t always nail it. But I pray that one day, when my kids are grown, they’ll look back and know I prepared them to make choices with Jesus in mind. They’ll look back and know I tried, even when it was awkward or unpopular.

So, keep going, parents. The battle for our kids’ minds is real, but God is faithful. He can help us lay a foundation that they can stand on.

“The most important work you will ever do will be within the walls of your own home.” — Harold B. Lee 

Article supplied with thanks to Rhema 99.7.

About the Author: Richelle is a radio host and mum of two, who supports parents and carers with faith-filled encouragement and practical insight.

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