As moms we feel the pressure to monitor everything our children watch, listen to or read. However, keeping up with a child on those issues can be very difficult. That is not to say it is impossible or should not be attempted. However, teaching children discernment will not only alleviate your stress and workload it will teach your child valuable skills.
In my house, we have one TV so monitoring what my children see is very easy. However, there are times when I hear my oldest telling another to turn the channel due to a show’s content. This is fairly rare as most of the time the TV is on I am not too far away. I do have certain rules about shows which must be followed or the TV goes off.
Music is also fairly easy to monitor in my home. My oldest has a radio in her room but the younger ones do not. Any music played in the house or CDs purchased must be approved my husband or myself. My oldest has her radio on all the time so I spot check what station it is on as I pass by her room. She knows if it is ever on a channel I disapprove of her radio will be removed.
Books are not so easy to monitor in a home with two excellent readers, one beginning reader, one picture book lover and one tired mom. My oldest reads through books so fast I can hardly keep up with her. While, I buy every book that comes into my home, I am sad to say I do not read every book. I try to pick books and magazines that I can count on wholesome content but every now and then something slips by me. However, if I find anything inappropriate I immediately take it away.
So, with all those rules and regulations there is nothing to worry about, right? In the short term there is nothing to worry about. You have a handle on it so you keep stepping without worry. However, in the long term your child will only knows your rules and not make the connection on why the rules were set up.
When rules of content are being developed your child should have the inside scoop. Age permitting, allow your child to know why some things are not permitted. Give your child solid reasons and engage him in discussion on the topic of how to choose. In fact, carefully give your child examples of content that is not permitted. Your child needs to be aware of what is out there in order to guard against it. This maybe a scary prospect for some but obviously we are not exposing a child to Playboy in order to reach modesty or abstaining from lustful thoughts. Find proper ways to discuss your reasons for content limitations. Soon your child will learn to guard himself. My children have given me back a few books and magazines because the content was inappropriate for them.
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