A doctor from Louisiana pointed out what should be an obvious safeguard regarding electronic media in general, but is overlooked in far too many homes: Don't let kids have computers or televisions in their own room. These devices are windows to the world. Parents need to monitor what comes through those windows. In our home, our computers are set up in a family "office," the door of which is always open. Our televisions are in common rooms only and contain parental blocks to keep our kids from stumbling across garbage programming.
Two moms wrote to say the hard part isn't picking the right TV shows for children – it's avoiding offensive commercials. One said some of the worst ads come during the sporting events her husband watches. It's a good idea to watch television – even sporting events – with your kids, and discuss with them why some commercials are inappropriate.
One parent said to remember another handy tool – the microwave: "It does interesting things to bad CDs and DVDs that kids might otherwise fish out of the garbage." (Hmmm, cooking CD's must smell similar to dinner in the Hagelin house!)
A retired soldier recommends the videotape "Sex Has a Price Tag" by Pam Stenzel. Although I've not seen the tape, I am familiar with her work. Mrs. Stenzel has served on the National Abstinence Clearing House Advisory Board, and her tape is the recipient of the Charleston International Film Festival Gold Award. Besides that, Sean Hannity likes her and his recommendation is good enough for me!
I found it truly gratifying so many readers of my column have recommitted to being the guardians of their homes. One called the piece, "a cold slap in the face."
I'll close with a story from a stepdad who wrote to say he had encountered the "FCUK" ads I described in Teen People magazine. He explained to his stepdaughter why she couldn't read such trash in their home anymore. He said he wasn't punishing her, merely trying to protect her. He took a deep breath, and then showed her the ad.
"To my relief," he wrote, "she was just as incredulous and understood."
And that's the best part – the kids themselves. They want limits. They want borders. They want a clear sense of right and wrong. They're feeling behind them for those protective walls – for the steady, dependable standards they can count on in life.
Yes, they will learn about the world soon enough. But if, when that time comes, they're prepared to make proper moral judgments – the judgments you've helped them learn to make – then you've succeeded in the most important job in the world: parenting.