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Life is experience. We gain experience through all aspects of life. Part of growing up is watching television. I do not believe television should be cut out of a child's life completely. I do agree there should be some limits and some ground rules.

Don't use your television set as a baby sitter. Children need to know that their parents are there for them. They need to know that they can talk to their parents. We are all busy, but we need time to all sit down and talk together and do things together. Just as you set aside television time, set aside game time, or reading time. Get involved with your child, and with the things that they like to do.

Watch what your children are watching. Now days even cartoons are violent. There are wonderful inventions on your TV remote that will let you block out what you don't want your children to see. In order to know what you don't want them to see however will require time on your part to sit down and watch the same shows that your children are watching. I believe that when you see something that is violent or not appropriate, talk to your children about that and explain to them why you feel it is not something that they should be watching. Keep the lines of communication open and honest. Your children will appreciate it in the long run and will be more understanding.

I had an aunt that had several children. She home schooled those children and there was not one television set in her home. She was rather wealthy so it was a choice that she made. But, every time those children were out of sight at someone else's home, they headed straight for the television. Children have a thirst for knowledge, and raised in the right manner, a television can lead as another avenue to learning.

Television is not just cartoons. It is news, which is everyday life. There are shows about animals which will teach them about science and how things grow. There are shows that are heartwarming that will teach them compassion. There are shows with singing, bringing music into their lives.

My child use to watch Discovery Kids when she was very young. One day, I think she was about 3 years old, I found her "saving" her dolls life by giving her mouth to mouth resuscitation and check compressions. Something she had learned while watching Discovery Kids. Now how can something like that be bad?

I'm sure there will be a strong debate on the good and bad of television. It is all a matter of how you handle it in your home. You are the adult. They are the child. Stay strong in what you believe is right or wrong and enforce your rules. You and your child will come to understandings and everyone will be happy.

Learn more about this author, Pamela Folks.
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