Family TV Time

We watch television. Yes, I admit it. We love television and watch it all the time. Unfortunately, we find we have to pay attention to the advertising and even the content of the programs. I remember growing up watching things like The Cosby Show and Family Ties. We learned lessons as a family and never was there a worry about what we watched.
Today, we have to worry about everything, but rather than take an absent parent approach, we watch television with our children. We do have programs that we don't allow them to even consider watching. We hear of their friends watching programs such as Family Guy and the Simpsons and even such insane movies as The Hangover. We don't allow that, simply put. We also don't choose to judge those parents that allow it. We do, however, watch those particular children and make sure that when they display behavior that is out of line that our children know what was inappropriate about that behavior and allow them to learn from those mistakes made by others.
Another thing is, we let them watch some programs as CSI, GASP! Do we always allow those programs? Nope. It always depends on content, but in the world we live in, we have to be able to show our children what they are going to find out about before they find out about it from someone else. They are going to hear about violence. They are going to hear foul language. They are even going to hear about sex. But as parents, it is our job to field those questions and already explain to them that they are going to hear things out there that are inappropriate. And even more important, why they are inappropriate and why we don't allow such tihngs.
Family television time is important. We believe sitting with your children watching television is an interactive way to help teach lessons. The programs are not the same, but the lessons stand firm.