This week on Real Answers I addressed the challenge of preparing your college-bound son or daughter for what they’ll most certainly encounter in the classroom in every secular college, and even some Christian schools, that being an onslaught of liberal, toxic, philosophy.

In line with @ChuckHolton's writings on the problem of passivity in parenting, I encouraged parents to sit their college students down (at LEAST) and have a very serious conversation with them prior to them even getting in the car for that first journey to school or the airport, etc. Look them in the eye and tell them that they are going to hear things that not only challenge healthy living principles (also known as TRUTH), but they are likely to encounter very uncomfortable situations where they will be faced with an immediate choice: Stand up for truth or fold under pressure. Of course the same type of sinful blather is being taught to high schoolers as well so really this message is for parents of all school children. Direct involvement in your child’s education really should start in the grade school years, knowing what your children are being taught, actively participating in school board meetings, and making your voices heard. But a lot of parents don’t do that and this week’s segment was somewhat of a ‘hail Mary’ for parents that want to try to influence their kids one last time before they’re turned over to the wolves of higher education.

I also encourage parents to do their homework before their child heads to campus:

1. Find out what Christian and conservative student organizations exist on campus AND in the community. Campuses may not have vibrant, solid Christian groups or conservative student unions. Community church can AND MUST fill this very important void in secular college towns. It’s such an under recognized mission field that churches must do a better job addressing. Make connections: phone calls, emails, etc, to reach out to leaders of these groups first so that your child has connections before they arrive. This will most certainly help with the adjustment to being away from home.

2. Routinely ask their college students what they’re learning and if they have any questions or concerns. You, as the parents, are STILL the most influential people in your son or daughter's life. Make sure you are VERY DIRECT in telling them you are not doing this to micromanage them and that these inquiries are not attempts to hover or otherwise control them. Explain to them that they are in a battle for their minds and not all they will be learning in college is true and DEFINITELY not in line with scripture. Tell them that you DO trust them (*for those of you who actually can trust your children and some of you know what I’m talking about) and your interest in what they’re learning is you accepting your God-given role of protecting them, even as young adult children.

3. Be aware of resources that are available in the even that your child is unethically singled out by college professors or staff. Look up Christian legal organizations such as First Liberty Institute and the Alliance Defending Freedom. Both of these firms are in the business of representing people of faith who are illegally or unfairly persecuted for simply exercising their First Amendment freedoms. AND they do it free of charge if they agree to take on your case. (They work off of donations. Consider supporting their efforts.) Don’t hesitate to research these firms to know what they offer and how they can assist you if your child is suddenly facing persecution. But also realize that we, as believers, will face persecution. That doesn’t mean you have to just take it and become a door mat on which secular society can wipe their figurative feet. Just conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of Christ and do what you can to push back.

4. Last and most certainly not least, pray and connect with others in your own church. If you don’t have a healthy church, then start looking now. Let others know if your child is facing persecution so they can provide you with support as well.

Though I didn’t go into this since it’s more for parents of juniors in high school who are starting to college-shop, consider sending your children to colleges that stand firm on faith and conservative principles. Some good examples are Grove City College in PA, Regent University in Virginia Beach, Cedarville University in Ohio, Houghton University in New York (NY, right? Hard to believe!), Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA, Hillsdale College in Michigan. (*Liberty has taken a bit of a more centrist approach or even somewhat left of center in certain respects.) Why spend THOUSANDS of dollars to support the efforts of liberals who want to fundamentally change the nature of our nation? Make a smart choice and send your dollars to schools that will actually be healthy for your children. But this is something that I address earlier in the year for parents that are college shopping. And, of course, the trades offer fantastic paying jobs WITHOUT the ridiculous amounts of student loans. I DEFINITELY encourage parents and students to consider these fields....

Here are the websites for those legal organizations I referenced above:

https://firstliberty.org
https://adflegal.org