I stopped pimping my GNMParents columns on this blog, as I assume that the folks who are still reading this know that I have a weekly column and either read it or don't. But my last column, titled Grand Theft Childhood, has my brain inquiring as to opinions on the subject. So, to the six of you that are reading these words, I would dig it if you'd read the column and offer your comments.
Dig ya later.
The Gift
-
[Christmas, 1965 or thereabout]
The boy was very young; perhaps 7 or 8 years old. He loved everything about
Christmas - the lights, the music, Santa ...
10 months ago
1 Comments:
Hi Stu,
I found your column thought inspiring, b/c I have a 12-year-old son (going on 20 -- still younger than your daughter)and the media conflicts we typically have revolve around horror movies. My son has loved horror stories, movies, Stephen King, the classics (Swamp Monster, etc.) since he was old enough to hold the remote. I, myself, am a horror fan fanatic so, like you say in your post, it seems to me that maybe there's this genetic component (or they watch that stuff in the womb, who knows?) Anyway, sometimes the vampire-werewolf-underground zombies movies come with a bit of, uh, R-rated stuff; like biting on the neck isn't all their up to. So we have a lot of conversations about context; what's real in a relationship and what isn't; we use a good bit of humor and a lot of examples of acceptable behavior and attitudes. We don't judge other parents and their rules, and when kids sleep over who aren't allowed to watch we abide without a word (we still love Disney and Pixar, too -- and have you seen Iron Man? Wonderful.) Anyway, I think you are dead-on in that banning can't be the wise action for so many reasons. Actively taking a position, being confident in your values, and even being willing to change your position in a way that your kids may call "unfair" (my son does not have carte blanche about these movies -- he will have to watch Last House on the Left with his wife; I'm not allowing it!) that's a much more difficult but ultimately more connecting way to parent. I loved your thoughts (and I really liked the title -- cool.) Thanks for continuing to hit on these topics.
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