35. Talking To Your Kid About Porn with Marilyn Evans

Welcome to episode #35! In this week's episode, Matt and Braden continue talking with Marilyn Evans about the practical steps parents can take to protect their kids.

Start talking about porn and sex in the home
As parents, we need to get comfortable talking about porn so that our kids feeling safe talking about it in the home. Start small by discussing porn and sex with your spouse if you're married. Practice saying all of the words that you'll need to bring up so that you're comfortable talking about them. Once you're ready, start talking to your kids about sex. Talk about coming to you immediately if they see bad images or videos. 

Build a connection with your kids
Part of building an environment where kids can talk and feel safe is creating connections with openness and honesty. From there, you are better able to talk about sex, relationships, and porn because the relationship has the right building blocks to have those discussions. Quality family time is important so that kids feel secure to bring up sensitive topics because they know they are loved and supported. Once your kid has been exposed to porn, while you need to talk about this issue, you should also encourage your kids with what they're doing well in life so that you're not simply talking to them about their struggle.
 
How do we protect our kids?
Start to think through three levels of protection with hardware and software. Begin with your router, as that is the access point for porn to enter your home (Circle, Gryphon Router). Use parental controls on all your devices as the next layer to implement. The third level is protection on all devices for when they leave the home and are not on your wifi (i.e. Covenant Eyes). Remember, tech is not the enemy, porn is, so we need to incorporate that understanding in protecting our kids! 
 

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Next week, Braden and Matt interview Clinton and Charity Munoz from Restored2More on their story of developing intimacy in their marriage after infidelity.

Resources
Marilyn Evans website: Parents Aware
Petition for age verification on porn sites
Good Pictures, Bad Pictures
Pure Freedom Community for men 18+

Pure Freedom Journey for men and women

Book a FREE call (men)

Course for marriages

FamilyLife Canada: Resources and events to strengthen your marriage

Online marriage resources (FamilyLife Canada)

Covenant Eyes Accountability Software - use promo code RM30 for 30 days free

Podcast Hosts
BRADEN HAFNER

Braden is the Regional Director in Alberta for FamilyLife Canada. He has been married for 12 years to his wife Kristen, and they live in Edmonton, Alberta. He is passionate about seeing marriages grow and thrive, and helping couples move to a deeper oneness with one another and with God. FamilyLife Canada has a variety of resources and events to help you and your spouse take your marriage to the next level. See what would benefit you at www.familylifecanada.com

MATT CLINE

Matt and his wife Louise raise their little guy, David, in Edmonton, Alberta. He is honored to do what he can to tackle the epidemic of pornography and sexual perversion in every way possible. Seeing lives and marriages get free and experience the love of God in profound ways is what drives him every day. He leads Restored Ministries, is a certified speaker and coach for the John Maxwell Team, and formerly played hockey in the WHL and for Hockey Canada. You can visit www.restoredministries.ca.