But First, Dragons

Are you neglecting what your kids need most?

Photo by Sean Thomas on Unsplash

As parents, we are quick to arm our kids against unhealthy foods, unsafe environments, and childhood illnesses. But so many parents seem entirely unaware of and unconcerned about perhaps the biggest darkness our children will face—the darkness all around them. 

As soon as kids understand anything at all, they understand trouble. As soon as they face the hard, cold reality of a playroom with three kids and only one light-up toy, they understand. Something wicked this way comes. 

We’re affectionate parents. We care about our kids avoiding hard times. So, when trouble threatens, tantrums build, or other kids look at your child the wrong way, we instinctively swoop in. We assume that the answer is to tidy all that ickiness away. It SEEMS so compassionate; it FEELS like we’re protecting them.

Creating a sterile environment free from all evil or trouble of any kind actually does the opposite. It only leaves them totally vulnerable to the very thing we’re trying to protect them from.

No parent would combat childhood illness by telling their children that there is no such thing as a fever or runny nose. That coughs and colds only happen far away and to other people. Stout denial is a cheap trick.

Kids know the truth—that the world is full of darkness—at a very early age. That’s why kids never need to be taught to fear what’s under their bed at night. They came up with that all by themselves. 

And here’s the truth: there ARE monsters in the world. If we tell children that the world is monster-free, they assume we’re lying. That’s why simply TELLING them that there’s nothing lurking in their closet never does any good. 

Instead, they need to know that there is something more powerful than monsters - even the monster lurking in their own hearts. 

This is what Chesterton meant when he said, “Fairy tales do not tell children dragons exist. Children already know the dragons exist. Fairy tales tell children the dragons can be killed.”

Feed your children plenty of vegetables and fruits and fermented cabbage if that’s how you roll, but don’t neglect the weightier things. Don’t neglect dragons. Give them plenty of nutritious weeknight stories. Give them a spiritual immune system. 

Darkness exists, but it’s instantly extinguished when you turn on the light switch. Good always overcomes evil. 

Perhaps the single greatest way to show kids what this looks like is through good stories. So, as you plan nutritious, easy, kid-approved weeknight meals, don’t forget to add dragons.