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The Parent Perspective - The Parent Perspective is a monthly feature where parents tell us how their families navigate today's media-saturated environment. This month’s Parent Perspective is from Cally in Michigan, mother of AJ (age 16), Grant (age 13), and Reid (age 10). When I get home from a long day, all I want to do is put on the TV and be entertained for a little while. It helps me relax and get my mind off the whirlwind of the past few hours. I know that my kids are no different in this respect; when they get home from school, they need a break. Though I always encourage them to pursue non-media activities, I know that this is one part of their day when they just need to relax. However, I have always been cautious of what it is they see and hear during this time, preferring that the programs are somewhat educational. A few months ago, I decided to subscribe to a Digital Video Recording (DVR) service because I found myself constantly missing shows I enjoyed. I never expected that the DVR would become such a useful tool for my kids' viewing as well! Having three boys in the house, I expected them to use the DVR to record action and fighting movies along with the occasional sitcom and cartoon. Boy, was I surprised at what they chose, all on their own! Our DVR is set to record more History Channel and Discovery Channel programs than action movies, and more Animal Planet programs than sitcoms and cartoons! They love watching science shows like MythBusters and Nova, as well as documentaries about different kinds of wild animals. I've noticed a lot of benefits from having the DVR that I did not anticipate. Now, when the boys sit down to relax, they watch these shows intently instead of flipping through whatever happens to be on. They watch with a purpose and when the show is over, they shut the TV off. Another benefit is that they can fast forward through the commercials, meaning they don't see all of the advertisements for junk food and products they don't need. See tips on how you can use your DVR/VCR to promote healthy media use One of the nicest things that has happened is our family date nights. We all sit down and watch an episode of Frontline together. Because we have the show recorded, we can choose a time when we are all available and in the right frame of mind. This investigative journalism series goes in-depth into a current issue each week. The power of film to teach us about these issues is astonishing, and we usually have lively discussions about what we think of what we've seen. Seeing my boys intellectually stimulated and actively expressing their opinions during these times has really brought us together. If you'd like to share your own experiences or suggestions in a Parent Perspective, email us at cmch@childrens.harvard.edu |
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