Mom's Talk Q & A: What's Age-Appropriate TV and Movies

How do you balance appropriate TV shows and movies for your younger children when they complain that, "All the other kids get to watch it."

Sandy Springs Patch Moms Council member Jessica Jones said, “As parents to an eight and nine-year-old, we are beginning to enter a new phase in movies and TV. Our kids want to watch some of the more teenage appropriate shows (Victorious, iCarly, etc.) and we often let them. Some of the topics on the shows are questionable though. How do other parents deal with this issue?”

With a six and nine-year-old, Christina Piccarillo said the issue often causes conflict in her home. "...I am probably more conservative than a lot of moms when it comes to what I allow my kids to watch," she said. "I definitely don't let them watch anything that could be described as "teenage" viewing. I find even a lot of the pre-teen (or PG for that matter) viewing subject matter is just too above their heads, confusing to them and inappropriate. I also have the extra challenge of having a 24-month-old and she wants to do/watch whatever her older siblings are doing.“

She continued, “I want my kids to be able to relate to what their peers are discussing, experiencing, etc. but I don't think it's necessary to let them rush into viewing subject matters that they are just not ready to handle. It's a very delicate balance.”

Are there certain shows where you draw the line and say you are not allowed to watch that show?