Here’s a really good piece from yesterday’s New York Times. It seems that not just how much TV a child watches, but where he watches it, is key to how much it will affect him for the worse. As many as HALF of American kids have televisions in their bedrooms. Moms and Dads of America - get those TV sets out of there!

Get the TV out of the Kids’ Bedrooms

Happy Parenting - Betsy

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

Hi Friends - I took my two older  kids to see Spiderwick Chronicles this weekend (it’s third in the box office ratings) and I really liked it, and so did my kids.  Very scary, but no foul language or sexual content.

I didn’t quite know what to expect from the movie, but one of my daughters had devoured the books the movie was based on, so off we went.  There is lots of action, and and a good and redemptive story line.

But it’s the subtle but clear messages that I liked most, messages about the meaning, value, and definition of family, and a dad who chooses to separate from his wife and children - which is presented in the film as meaning he’s sadly chosen to live “outside the circle of safety.”

I also like that this is no, “I am single mom hear me roar” diatribe.  Just the opposite.  Mom is beautifully holding her family together, but Dad’s importance is strongly felt in his very absence from the home.  In fact, in one scene it’s clear that in leaving his family, he’s put his family into physical danger!   S0, this actually becomes a “pro” husband and father message we just don’t get enough of in our culture today.

I  hope you get a chance to enjoy the film.
Happy Parenting - Betsy

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

Hi Friends - here’s this week’s column. The topic is a little unusual for me, but I think you’ll see why I wrote it.

My Column

Have a great day - Betsy

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!