Listening to Barbara Streisand’s melancholy song, “The Way We Were,” may stir nostalgia of days gone by. Parents often reflect about the “good ole” days with their children. They remember how things were when they were young – the youthful activities, energies, and emotions. Those were, as some may recount, the happy days. But were they? While we may want our children to have the same happy experiences that we had, time has a way of distorting memories. Would we do it all again – would we? I hope not. Both Job and David reflected upon the sins of their youth, and shuttered to think they might be held accountable for them (Job 13:26; Ps. 25:7).

Well, how were we? What worldly things did we indulge (i.e. school dances, unsavory music, immodesty, certain movies, etc.)?

Well-meaning parents of past and present generations have allowed freedoms they ought not have. Cultural boundaries of the past kept many young people from committing fornication – while allowing lascivious or licentious behavior (i.e. making-out, petting or whatever the current term is!).

We need to recognize that we cannot allow our children to do what we did, just because we “turned out alright.” We must honestly recognize that some of the things we did as young people were sinful. It is our responsibility as parents to do our best to help our children learn from the wisdom we have gained through our mistakes.

What can parents do? Learn what the Bible says about certain matters. Innocence is long gone in most teen-agers of today. We must not be prudish in our discussions of the “birds and the bees.” Our youngsters’ purity is at risk. We must tell them that even the evangelist, Timothy, was warned by the apostle Paul to “Flee youthful lusts...” (2 Tim. 2:22). Instead, some are pursuing youthful lusts by their dress, physical familiarity, and recreational activities.

Parents must not be afraid to “put on the brakes” – no matter how loud the reaction. Teens who are allowed too much freedom come to enjoy it. If they are involved in sin, there is pleasure (Heb. 11:25). Be understanding. Being a teen is not easy. With movies (like the Titanic of a while back) which promote immoral young love, and draw rave reviews from Christian adults, it is no wonder the values of our young people may be confused.

But parents can be reasonable and take charge. Yet laying down the law without a plan to help, is like a blast of hot air, it will soon be over. Young people need to be busy. They need fun activities. But all fun and no work make one lazy. Notice the rest of 2 Timothy 2:22, “...follow (pursue) after righteousness, faith, love, peace with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”

Activities need to include helping others, learning God’s word, training young men to be leaders, training young women to teach children. With but little imagination, activities that don’t cost a lot of money can involve all of our young people. I spoke with an eighty-five year old Christian woman recently who told me that the only place to go when she was a teen-aged girl was to the parlor! What a difference it might be in the lives of children today, if their activities were carried on under the oversight of parents – and that entails more than giving a ride to the movies!