We Need to Protect the Innocence of Children, Not Twist It

It’s hard keeping our children protected and safe, and as parents we often feel violated when their “safe” places are compromised.

Some Long Island parents are upset because an adult party was held at a child’s play center—a “pajama party” where the pjs were optional! Adults were invited via Meetup.com to Krazy Kids, where the party was titled “Jungle Gym & Pajama All-Night Dance Party: For Grown Ups Who Won’t Grow Up.” (Does this issue weigh on you? Be sure to tune into Nancy Grace tonight for more about the issue.)

The last line of the advertisement frustrates me: “Grown Ups Who Won’t Grow Up.” It is clear that age doesn’t bring maturity, but adults can’t—and shouldn’t—stay kids forever.

As a mom of six kids (with three little ones under the age of seven), all types of warning signs also go up:

1. Sanitary concerns. (The establishment says it is handling this.) Yes, I know that kids are snotty and messy, but the antics of naked adults are another matter. Ick!

2. Safety concerns. This party just transformed a children’s area into a “comfortable zone” for questionable adults. Best-case scenario was that the party goers were just immature, but there is the question of child predators who now see this place as a comfortable zone. I don’t want my children’s “safe” places compromised.

3. Decision-making concerns. I want to know that the people who are making decisions about my children’s safety are making wise decisions for my kids’ best interest! There are plenty of ways to make money: safe, clean teen events, dances, moms’ night out babysitting. The slogan of Krazy Kids is “Healthy Open Play Every Day,” and every decision should be weighed against what is beneficial for their key customers.

4. Moral concerns. My moral concerns go far beyond this Krazy Kids playground. What bothers me the most is that when adults try to twist wholesome attributes into unwholesome actions. There is nothing as beautiful as children at play. Children reflect the glory of God, and adults are now trying to twist that for fun, fantasy, and profit. Our culture tries to sexualize children, and now sexual adults are trying to mimic them . . . in their previously safe places.

My hope is the Krazy Kids and other establishments that are “for the kids” will do what they can to protect their safety, their play, and their innocence.

Did you hear the good news? My book The Swiss Courier (that I co-wrote with Mike Yorkey) is on sale! My new book Balanced is available now via Amazon and Barnes & Noble for only $2.99 (digital only)!

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