Guest Blogger Leilani Squires is a homeschool mom of two and the Head Creative Writer for Answers.TV, the streaming service of Answers in Genesis. Leilani has a master’s degree in script and screenwriting from Regent University and has been writing and editing for over 20 years.
You and I, we’re raising kids in a time when a lot of questions are being asked, but not many are being thoroughly answered.
I am a homeschool mom of two vastly curious kiddos. My son and daughter ask numerous questions throughout the day, starting with urgently whispered inquiries before I’ve woken, like:
- “Why did Jesus have to die on the cross?”
- “Mama, where did the water go after Noah’s flood?”
- “Why do people die?”
- “Why are there seven days in a week?”
- “Mama, is it okay for two mommies or daddies to get married?”
- “Who was the first person to invent metal tools?”
- “Mama, why does my skin not look like my friend’s skin color?”
But even in my under-caffeinated state (I am not a morning person), these questions don’t tend to cause mental gymnastics. There are several reasons that contribute to this, but one is our approach to entertainment.
I adore stories—especially when told through movies and TV shows! I love analyzing and critiquing them—observing and learning what did and didn’t work for plot and character development, the characters’ choices, the consequences or lack of consequences for these choices, overall plot, and satisfying resolution (which doesn’t always mean everything ends happy).
The impact story can have is a main reason I pursued a writing career. I’ve received a lot of writing instruction in my career, and something I tend to also apply to my parenting is “it’s never just a movie” and “everyone’s an example of what to do or what not to do.” This has especially been helpful when choosing and helping my children choose their viewing materials.
Huge life lessons can be learned in a short time when watching story. Watching movies and TV shows can be a great way to help teach kids character traits, consequences, worldview, and about the world while helping them set a solid foundation for their faith at a young age.
But that doesn’t mean just any movie or show is welcomed into the home. As we help our children establish their faith foundation, there are filters we use when choosing and discussing entertainment. These filters include how the movie aligns with the Fruits of the Spirit, Philippians 4:8, and Micah 6:8. So there may be conversations about why or why not a movie is something we’ll watch, even if it is popular among friends and family.
We also use Genesis 1-11 for much of what we encounter in this world. Answers in Genesis and Answers.TV have been a part of our homeschooling and Bible time since our daughter was in preschool. So when looking at how the world works and building the foundation of our worldview, we tend to start with Genesis 1 through 11. Not only does this reinforce the authority and significance of the Bible, but it also addresses a lot of the questions/issues we face today.
For example: Why do we have a seven-day week? Genesis 1. Gender identity and God’s design for marriage? Genesis 2. Why do people die and why do bad things happen? Genesis 3. Why did Jesus have to die on the cross? Genesis 3. Sanctity of life? Genesis 4. What does the rainbow mean? Genesis 9. Why do people have different skin tone colors? Genesis 11. Who was the first person to invent metal tools? Yep, there’s even a verse in Genesis for this! Genesis 4:22. And that’s just a brief sampling!
Knowing what happened in the beginning helps us understand the world and our God who created it, using the Bible as our worldview foundation. When everything else around us is shifting sand, we can help our kids cement their foundation on God, who never changes, and His word.
Just over three years ago, I accepted the full-time role of Head Creative Writer for Answers.TV. From the initial concept, and all the way through to the show streaming on the platform, we build from a biblical worldview. As a family, we enjoy watching Lily’s Lab, Hike and Seek, SeaKids, Kashtan’s Wildlife in the Zoo, Buddy Davis’ Amazing Adventures, Behind the Experience, Schus Off, Torchlighters, Creation Cooking, lectures by experts like astronaut Barry “Butch” Wilmore, and lots more (there’s over 7,000 titles streaming… we haven’t seen everything yet!).
Today, as our kids are a bit older, I’m rather entertained watching them watch films. Our kids more easily identify and call out worldview, character choices and consequences, and share their thoughts on what did and did not work.
Movies and shows are not the only tool available for us as parents to use to discuss worldview and faith and character. But at the appropriate age and screen time amount for your kids, you can use movies and shows as a way to have deep, meaningful, insightful, and faith-building dialogue. It’s never just a movie…
More about Leilani Squires
Leilani wrote scripts for Truth Traveler virtual reality and immersive experiences and numerous scripts for Answers.TV including Hike and Seek season 3, Lily’s Lab, Creation Cooking. More to come in 2026! Start your free Answers.TV trial today!
You can read more about her at www.LeilaniSquires.com
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