Adventures in Parenting

Do you agree that the new media – the computer and all its various usages, as well as the old media – TV and such, have a huge influence on our children?

Are you familiar with the content of what your children are watching on TV, what they are watching on YouTube, and what they are reading on social networking sites?

Today is Day 27 of our 30 Days to Better Parenting Challenge.

Our task today is to sit down and watch with your children what they are watching on TV.

I admit, the TV is a convenient babysitter. When my children are watching TV, it’s a great time for me to do what I want to do. I know I won’t be interrupted for at least 1/2 hour.

Today, instead of doing something else while your children watch TV, sit with them, have a snack together, and watch their programs with them. You can laugh along, talk about the characters, and comment on the commercials.

As an adult, you can think critically as your children can not. What did you like and not like about the program? Do you think it is appropriate for your children’s age level? Do you think what they are watching is having a positive influence? What are the commercials conveying to your children?

If your children use Facebook or MySpace on the computer, your task today on this Day 27 of our Better Parenting Challenge is to sign up for a Facebook account, if you haven’t already done so. Navigate the site and learn to use it. This will give you a glimpse of what your children are doing.