Parenting in a Social Media Age

Our children today exist in a world where actions, choices, and shortcomings can quickly become topics for social media. When I reflect on my own childhood, I can’t help but think how different it was. Back then, life was more private, and I had the space to navigate my feelings among a few close friends.

Now, raising kids seems like an uphill battle. Many mothers I’ve spoken with carry the weight of helping their children form a strong identity amidst constant scrutiny. It’s a heavy responsibility, and, frankly, it can feel overwhelming.

My husband Matt and I have been together for 25 years. We’ve felt our share of public scrutiny during his professional baseball career. Growing up deeply rooted in our faith, we learned how to handle the tough world of sports commentary.

Now, our two oldest sons, Jackson and Ethan, are on the same field, facing the same gaze from fans and the public. It’s different when it’s your children. Bad days can feel unbearable when everyone has a comment on your worth. Jackson and Ethan, as professional athletes, are under intense scrutiny, and, as mothers, we’re not tasked with making life easy for them. Rather, our role is to prepare them for challenges.

Take Mary, for instance. She faced the challenges of raising a child who was misunderstood and criticized, from the very beginning of Jesus’ life. As he grew, tensions rose; people questioned him and distorted his message. At the end of it all, he faced rejection. Mary had to navigate this public scrutiny without any control over external opinions. But she remained rooted, happy, and trusting in God through all of it. It’s a nostalgic thought.

After all, avoiding pressure doesn’t raise strong kids. We need to help them learn to stand firm in it.

Maybe one of the most important things we can do as parents is to create a home where our kids feel truly seen—for who they are, not just for their achievements. A place where love isn’t conditional. A space for both accomplishments and struggles. Even when the world seems overwhelming, they should always know they have a stable foundation at home.

From my experiences, along with insights from scripture and Mary’s life, I’d like to suggest some principles for mothers trying to raise resilient, faithful kids today.

Lead with Grace

In Genesis, Adam and Eve felt fear and shame. They knew consequences awaited them. But God didn’t turn them away; instead, he approached them with love in their vulnerability.

In our home, we’ve eliminated traditional time-outs as a form of discipline. If we constantly shove our kids away when they misbehave, how can they appreciate God’s patient love? We strive for gentle guidance, even when correction is needed, perhaps even more so.

Understanding grace and forgiveness is vital, and we need to model that in our lives to pass it along to our children. I’ll admit, I haven’t always succeeded in this, but I’ve learned to ask for forgiveness and to illustrate its importance to my kids.

Expecting perfection at home only sets everyone up for disappointment. Instead, we should show our kids that it’s okay to be wrong and encourage them to seek forgiveness while guiding them toward building character.

Trust in the Process

Proverbs 21:31 reminds us, “The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but the victory is in the Lord.” Preparing our children takes time and consistency, much like training a warhorse for battle. Parenting involves similar dedication, often taking place in quiet moments at home.

Every mother feels a profound duty to raise their children as children of God. It’s easy to focus solely on this responsibility and forget the latter part of that verse. We do the hard work and must release the results to God.

This is a vital lesson for ourselves and our kids: show up, work hard, be prepared, but remember that true victory lies with the Lord. So let’s train our children without the expectation that we can shield them from challenges.

Highlight Excellence and Faith

I’ve always wanted my kids to see examples of greatness. Surrounding them with mentors who can guide them through life was crucial. Whether it was through travel with us or meeting inspiring athletes like Adam Wainwright, we aimed for them to connect with individuals grounded in faith and integrity.

As mothers, we have the privilege to show our children where to focus their attention. It’s essential to celebrate the achievements of others. Often, kids will emulate what they see; when they observe greatness, they aspire to it.

That said, motherhood is undoubtedly challenging. Many women feel emotional weight during celebrations like Mother’s Day.

But we also have the power to cultivate a lasting legacy that begins in our hearts, at home, and through the unseen blessings we share.

So let God shine through you. Seek to be a source of peace, safety, and resilience for your children as you navigate this journey together.