• About
    • Hi, I’m Jen!
    • Disclosure
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
  • Start Here
  • Courses
    • FREE Principled Christmas Gift-Giving Mini Course
    • About the “Media That Matters” Course
    • Signature Caramel Apple Dashboard
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

Raise The Good

  • Home
  • Resources By Age
    • Children
    • Teens
    • Adults
  • Media Type
    • Audio
    • Books
    • Movies
    • TV/Video Clips
  • Topics
    • Character Traits
    • Education
    • Faith
    • Intentional Living
    • Parenting
    • Adulting
    • Holidays and Special Occasions
    • Hero Spotlight
  • Favorite Things
  • Shop
    • Cart
  • Free Printables

September 13, 2020 · Leave a Comment

How to Make Time For Inspiring Books and Movies

Parenting

Have you ever thought, “It’s all well and good to have awesome books and movies to use with your kids- but HOW and WHEN do busy families use them? Everyone has crazy schedules and who has kids that want to read/watch “character building” books and movies anyway? Plus, there are so many other things we want to do together.”

I TOTALLY get you. With three teens and two tweens, my family is in the thick of busy schedules right now (and sometimes bad attitudes). Time together is scarce. That is why I want to use our time very, very carefully. Here are some ways we try to protect our time together and instill a love of goodness, sometimes through deliberate media consumption:

The point of all of this is not about watching movies or reading books. This is about teaching our children to love goodness and education. It is about “educating their desires” in an enjoyable way.

1. Daily Time

Every night at 8pm, we take time to reconnect, read scripture together, and talk about plans for the next day to make sure we are all on the same page. This doesn’t always happen, but we try. For some families, mornings work better for them. Sometimes there are schedule conflicts, but we try really hard to have everyone there. This only takes about 30 minutes (sometimes less). On days we have more time, I try to do Children’s Hour – it’s my favorite and it’s a good time to fit in great resources!

2. Sundays

For us, Sundays are for worshipping and spending time with each other. This means we attend church services and then it is a family day. No friends, no outside activities. This gives us time to talk as a family about issues that might have popped up, read a good book together, or go for walks. Our extended family lives nearby and we spend time with them. We try really hard not to use screens on Sundays, but on days when we all just need to veg, that is when I pop in a really inspiring, thought-provoking or faith promoting movies like Amazing Grace, The Scarlet and The Black, Forever Strong, War Room, or something similar. We also end up playing lots of board games and card games.

3. Family Night

One night a week, in addition to Sundays, we try to have Family Night. For us, this is usually Monday night. We have a lesson/discussion about something we think our family needs to work on, character traits, a religious topic, or current events. (Check out “Character Traits” in the menu for ideas!) The lesson is usually 10-30 minutes long, and then we play games and eat a treat. We are done after an hour and then it is time for bed for the littles. This takes the place of our regular daily time on this day.

4. Weekends

Weekends are pretty open, but we try to sneak in a movie night with everyone once a week, in addition to a hike, bike ride or something else fun. Sometimes we watch a popular show, sometimes we watch something fun on Youtube, and sometimes I sneak in really great stuff like 42, Les Miserables (a family-friendly version), or Hidden Figures.

5. Car Trips

You have a captive audience here. Use it! Get a family read aloud, whether it’s on Audible or you or someone else in the car reads. We have been through a ton of great books this way, and it makes long road trips (or even short ones) more bearable. It is a great alternative to screens and the discussions you have can be really rich.

6. Meal Times

Ditto on the captive audience. We do everything we can to eat together. With my 17 yr old’s schedule, it doesn’t always happen, but we really try. Sometimes I will prioritize reading aloud, or sharing a quick inspirational video clip and discussing it, over eating my own hot food. Not always, but sometimes. And it’s totally ok. Our time together is short, and I want to make it count.

7. School Time

More than ever, parents are becoming more directly involved with their children’s school work, thanks to COVID-19. Use this to your advantage and incorporate school into movie nights. Are they learning about the Civil War? Get them excited to watch Gettysburg(I love this one!). Do they have to read a classic book? Find a movie adaptation and watch it with them after they finish reading as a reward and to reinforce what they have learned.

8. Strew

“Strewing” means to leave things in noticeable places in your house. You can strew great books you want your kids to check out any place you think they will notice them: the coffee table, their bedroom, the kitchen counter- even the bathroom!

Tips:

You get to set the tone

Your kids will follow your lead. If, for example, I have a billion loads of laundry to fold (true story!), and I want to watch a show in the living room while I fold it, I will try to put on something inspiring or educational. Without fail, my kids will join me-and I get help folding laundry at the same time. Other times, I’ll listen to an audio book and my kids will see that example, too. If I read at night, they will read at night. If I’m really tired on a Sunday and I decide to put on a more “church-y” movie, they will come. Our kids want to be with us, and they will copy what we do, both the good and the not-so-good.

Don’t make it too long or forced

Keep things short and sweet. Use enthusiasm and not force as you introduce new and inspiring media. Let them keep some of their “fluffy” entertainment.

Make it Fun

In our efforts to raise children who will be a powerful force for good in the world, make it fun! Otherwise, meaningful things will become drudgery, and our kids will avoid them. That’s why I think carefully chosen movies, Youtube and books are such great tools- they can teach our kids without us lecturing them. And that my friends, is priceless.

Do you have any tips and tricks? Please share!

Don’t miss out!

Related Posts

The Best Tool For Resolving Family Conflict
Changing My Parenting to Stop Being a Control Freak
woman and child
What Can I Do About Racism?

Previous Post: « The Best Pumpkin Muffins
Next Post: How to Celebrate Constitution Day »

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Welcome

Hi! I'm Jen. Wife, mom of 5, and someone who is deliberately trying to shape the family culture in our home by focusing on uplifting and inspiring media and other resources. If you are looking for an alternative to negative pop culture- you're in the right place!

SIGN UP FOR MY FREE QUICK START COURSE: MEDIA THAT MATTERS!

Deliberately Using Books and Movies to Inspire Your Family

Shop My Favorites for Kids:

Find All MY Recommendations At Amazon Here!

Raise The Good Store

Let’s Connect

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

Footer

Related Posts

The Best Tool For Resolving Family Conflict
What I Did When My Kids Lost
homeschooling
Cheap and Easy Ways To Start Homeschooling NOW
girl reading
A Reading System That Works
child who is alone
How To Reach The Unreachable Child

In the last month, I have spoken with three teenag In the last month, I have spoken with three teenagers, boys and girls both, (not these girls, but I love them and I love this picture!) who have graduated/will graduate and have absolutely no idea what they will do next. That can be pretty common- it’s hard to decide! But here’s the kicker- their parents haven’t talked to them about it AT ALL. There are lots of reasons for that, but the teens I’ve spoken with feel overwhelmed and abandoned, even a bit hopeless.
.
Parents, our teens NEED us- even if they don’t act like it. Even if we don’t have any answers. Please talk to your teens about their future plans. Ask them questions, research ideas with them that they come up with, help them form a plan that they are excited about. Whether it is trade school, college, volunteer or church service, or going straight into the workforce, please let them know that they aren’t alone. Help them form a plan that will kickstart them into adulthood and serve them in the years to come. Be a safety net that helps propel them into success. They will feel your love. ***Edited to add: If you want to help your child, but don’t know where to start, check out Heather @alignedambition ! This is her specialty and she’s amazing!!
.
(If you are interested in learning more about how you can do a more formal Coming of Age with your teens, check out my Coming of Age Guidebook in my shop!) #parentsofteens #highschoolsenior #comingofage #planningforthefuture #loveyourkids #bepresent
Have a happy Sunday! This was a good reminder for Have a happy Sunday! This was a good reminder for me today.
.
I am working on offering free printables. I love to hang quotes like this in my home, and wondered if you might, too. You will be able to find this one at the link in bio, then click “printables” in the menu. #quotes #sunday #worship @churchofjesuschrist
My third gourmet caramel apple class is finished! My third gourmet caramel apple class is finished! It was SO FUN to meet all the women and kids who signed up. It makes me so happy to teach this! Anyone can make these- you just have to know the right tips and tricks. 😋  #mycaramelapples #digitalcourse #delicious #beautiful #caramelapples
New blog post: “7 Ways I Am Trying To Heal Polit New blog post: “7 Ways I Am Trying To Heal Political Division”. It took me much longer to write this post than it should have. I wanted to get the wording just right, didn’t want to come off as self-righteous, and had so many other concerns. But I think national unity won’t come until we have individual unity with our families and friends. This is my attempt. (Link in bio.) I know you are concerned about this as well. What has worked for you? #unity #politics #democrats #republicans #family #fighting #peacemaker
As we celebrate Martin Luther King Jr., and the pr As we celebrate Martin Luther King Jr., and the progress of the Civil Rights movement, I’m challenging myself to read more of his words completely and in context, rather than the short, inspiring quotes we often see. Letters, books, speeches, laws of the time, economic and political pressures, family concerns, etc. all help us have a more complete understanding of his life’s work.
.
Learning more than just bullet point history- about all leaders- is what REALLY helps us learn from the past and make progress today. This is true education. Have a great day everyone! #mlkday #civilrights #history #education
I’m a natural peacemaker. I also minored in poli I’m a natural peacemaker. I also minored in political science and am passionate about American history and government. That means that I have a ton of opinions just like everyone else about the current events in America right now. 😜
.
I am really, really sad seeing us so divided and angry with each other- including myself in my own relationships. I listened to a podcast that my brother sent me (Hi, Ben! I still need to talk to you about this!), and I realized that the two sides are (many times) completely out of touch with each other. We don’t understand each other. Oh, we get the sound bites and the bullet points, but mostly we try to shout each other down.
.
Stephen Covey had it right- let’s try to understand—REALLY understand each other— BEFORE we start trying to explain ourselves. This doesn’t mean that we are doormats, it actually gives us power when we understand each other. I think this is good for marriages, parenting, work conflicts...and politics. Let’s practice listening.
.
Love you guys. ❤️ #stephencovey #politics #listentounderstand #loveoneanother #peacemakers #notadoormat
Let’s be honest: the last few days have been ROU Let’s be honest: the last few days have been ROUGH! I’m starting my last digital Signature Gourmet Caramel Apple class this week, and I want to give away 6 spots to brighten your day! (To learn more about the course, click in the link in my bio.)
.
Tag one person you are grateful for, and I’ll randomly pick 3 winners—you AND the person you tagged will each get a free course (you’ll be responsible for getting your own ingredients, though.) Plus the rest of your immediate family can do it with you- kids LOVE it! 
.
This ends tonight at 5pm PST. Hurry and enter! #giveaway #delicious #caramelapples #happy
Expect to randomly find hard boiled eggs mixed int Expect to randomly find hard boiled eggs mixed into your egg carton. They think it’s HILARIOUS! 😂 #boymom #teenboys #jokes
I saw this on a friend’s feed and thought it was I saw this on a friend’s feed and thought it was powerful:
.
“I would have pulled Joseph out. Out of that pit. Out of that prison. Out of that pain. And I would have cheated nations out of the one God would use to deliver them from famine.

I would have pulled David out. Out of Saul’s spear-throwing presence. Out of the caves he hid away in. Out of the pain of rejection. And I would have cheated Israel out of a God-hearted king.

I would have pulled Esther out. Out of being snatched from her only family. Out of being placed in a position she never asked for. Out of the path of a vicious, power-hungry foe. And I would have cheated a people out of the woman God would use to save their very lives.

And I would have pulled Jesus off. Off of the cross. Off of the road that led to suffering and pain. Off of the path that would mean nakedness and beatings, nails and thorns. And I would have cheated the entire world out of a Savior. Out of salvation. Out of an eternity filled with no more suffering and no more pain.

And oh friend. I want to pull you out. I want to change your path. I want to stop your pain. But right now I know I would be wrong. I would be out of line. I would be cheating you and cheating the world out of so much good. Because God knows. He knows the good this pain will produce. He knows the beauty this hard will grow. He’s watching over you and keeping you even in the midst of this. And He’s promising you that you can trust Him. Even when it all feels like more than you can bear.

So instead of trying to pull you out, I’m lifting you up. I’m kneeling before the Father and I’m asking Him to give you strength. To give you hope. I’m asking Him to protect you and to move you when the time is right. I'm asking Him to help you stay prayerful and discerning. I'm asking Him how I can best love you and be a help to you. And I’m believing He’s going to use your life in powerful and beautiful ways. Ways that will leave your heart grateful and humbly thankful for this road you’ve been on.”

 - Kimberly D. Henderson

Copyright © 2021 · captivating theme by Restored 316