If you are a parent, you have probably wondered at one time or another, what more you can do to protect your children and yourself, not only physically but emotionally, mentally, spiritually etc. Today many parents and families are discouraged. They perceive, and even experience first hand a disturbing lack of basic civility and community respect. This disregard of the ‘protective virtues’ often leads to anxiety and fear. Those who disregard civility and respect demean those who take the time to work hard for their homes and their assets. They also demean those who work hard to maintain elevated ideas and standards within their homes. If you are a parent, don’t let negative trends discourage you. Stay proactive and protect your home both inside and out.

Protect Your Home on the Outside

In regards to protecting your physical home, the steps are fairly simple. The installation of home security systems, motion detectors, heat detectors, and the like are obvious ways to protect your home. Windows security is also essential. It is most common for prowlers to enter through unsecured windows. This tendency towards ‘window weakness’ can be strengthened with wireless windows security sensors or with windows security motion detectors. Other less expensive windows security tactics include planting thorny bushes beneath lower level windows, setting lights near or above every window, and investing in a dog or ‘beware of dog’ decals.

Note: In case of fire, heat detectors or smoke alarms are inexpensive and essential for a secure home. Wireless heat detectors or smoke alarms are also available.

Protect Your Home on the Inside

On a more personal level, G.B. Hinckley, president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, states the following, “Pornography, with its sleazy filth, sweeps over the earth like a horrible, engulfing tide. It is poison. Do not watch it or read it. It will destroy you if you do. It will take from you your self-respect. It will rob you of a sense of the beauties of life. It will tear you down and pull you into a slough of evil thoughts and possibly evil actions. Stay away from it. Shun it as you would a foul disease, for it is just as deadly" (Source: lds.org, or the Ensign, Nov. 1997, 51).

Shunning pornography and other offensive material can be accomplished first by discussing with children what the consistent standards are and will be within your home. Children will often be the first to offer helpful suggestions and assist in the creation of standards, rules, etc. Allow your children to participate in discussions which touch on all aspects of home security, windows security, and security which protects them from harmful media or pornography. Let them know you have a plan and would welcome their opinions. They may even know friends or families who have already suffered from the damaging effects of media and pornography and will be surprisingly accepting of the rules established within your home. Second, TV and Internet filters such as those provided by contentwatch.com help children avoid uncomfortable situations---whether they were, or were not looking for them.

Protecting a home both on the inside and out requires proactive parents. Invest in home security/windows security and take the time to talk with your children about offensive media and pornography.

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