![]() “I’m not going to let him play it because I want to make a moral statement.” If you’re going to ban a game or a movie, do some research and provide an alternative your child will enjoy.įinally, one more hint from Sturdy: “Don’t even think about starting a sentence with ‘When I was a kid….’ That just confirms to your offspring that you are, in fact, a dinosaur.” “I don’t care that Grand Theft Auto (a video game involving rape and other forms of violence) isn’t likely to influence my kid’s behaviour,” says Marshall. Set limits There will be times when you just have to say no. “Those who do act out what they see in media are usually doing so because of what they’re exposed to at home.” “Kids evaluate what they see in terms of their home environment, which is the most important determinant of their behaviour,” says Marshall. “If your daughter wants to watch Friends because it’s funny, let her know where you stand on the issue of casual sex,” says Marshall. Share your values As mass media become more important for this age group and kids are making their own choices about what they view, it’s vital that parents talk with their children about what they’re seeing and hearing. Leave them to their own devices and kids will be kids - goofy, playful kids.” “The days of going to the park with your friends and organizing your own games are fading fast. Sturdy encourages families to make sure there’s time for movie nights and family dinners.Įncourage unstructured play “We organize kids too much,” says Marshall. They’ll also appreciate the fact that you support their interests. ![]() Spend time together Is there a passion you can share with your child? Whether it’s rock climbing or combing through vintage stores looking for funky fashions, kids benefit from emotional connection with their parents. Here are some ways to put on the brakes in the race to adulthood: You still have quite a bit of influence.” “You’re going to lose some control over what your kids are exposed to around this age,” says Barrie, Ont., psychologist and parenting writer Peter Marshall. And peers become important and influential. In addition to pressures from outside, tweens don’t want to think of themselves as kids. According to the website of the Media Awareness Network, “marketers are discovering there’s money to be made by treating tweens (whom they define as kids eight to 12) like teenagers.” That’s a problem, they say, because it exposes young kids to “potentially unhealthy messages about body image, sexuality, relationships and violence.” “Childhood establishes the foundation for the value system kids will carry forward into adult life and parents are the most influential models for that.”īut it can be difficult. Yes, says Christopher Sturdy, a Toronto parent educator. Is it possible - or even desirable - to protect childhood for our kids? You’d like to somehow maintain your child’s interest in playing Lego or playing capture the flag for a little while longer, but it can seem like MTV or the latest episode of Gossip Girl has more appeal. Explicit talk about sex, profanity and violent images are part of music and movies pitched to increasingly younger kids. It can feel like 10 is the new 15 whether you’re shopping for T-shirts or buying that CD your son wants for Christmas. But these days, you can’t help but wonder if they’re growing up too fast. “But, Mom,” Annie said, “everyone’s wearing them!” The teeny-tiny belly tops and tight, low-cut jeans, in fashion at the time, just seemed too provocative for a girl her age. I remember one shopping expedition with my then-10-year-old daughter when I was taken aback by what was on offer in her size.
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