Search Results for: blog how carefully do you watch tv

Don’t Let The Media Parent Your Children

Sometimes I let Hailey watch too much TV. It’s an easy habit to fall into, especially when you are a single parent and there are so many things to do. You plop your child in front of the television, just for a few minutes so you can get something done and a habit is started. All the media in our children s lives is like another influence in the house. Our children are bombarded with messages and even if we are diligent about what they watch they may still see things that go against our values. Many shows that you … Continue reading →

Hannah Montana Body Double Brouhaha—Much Ado About Nothing?

Personally, I don’t see what the big deal is… but you might. For days now entertainment news shows have been making a huge production out of a relatively innocuous switcheroo that took place on stage at a recent “Hannah Montana” concert. Now, several mainstream media outlets have jumped on the story and the “Hannah Montana” body double brouhaha has seemingly taken on a life of its own. If you’ve been living under a rock for the pat few weeks here’s what the controversy is all about: It centers around a video posted on YouTube (surprise, surprise) that shows Miley Cyrus … Continue reading →

Could a Point System Help Your Child with ADHD?

Experts are suggesting that parents of children with ADHD and other behavioral difficulties should try using a point (or credit) system for discipline and motivation. In a recent PEOPLE magazine article, I read about a special camp for children with ADHD run by Dr. Karen Fleiss. The camp gives points for good behaviors, and takes them away for less appropriate ones. Campers who achieve a certain number of points during the week are rewarded with a special Friday field trip. In the article, Dr. Fleiss says that the point system helps motivate these kids to choose the right behavior. With … Continue reading →

7 Ways To Transform Your Mind

Perhaps the hardest part of being a Christian is changing our mind set. We cannot change habits and attitudes, unless we first change the way we think. What do you spend most of your time thinking about? That is a good indication of what is most important to you. If we want to change so that ‘we do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world,’ then we need to do as the Bible commands and ‘be transformed by the renewing of your mind,’ Romans. 12:2. To have any hope of achieving this, we need to have an … Continue reading →

Reduce Your Diabetes Risk

There are two BIG things you can do to reduce your risk of developing diabetes: eat right and exercise regularly. But helping your body resist diabetes goes beyond just food and exercise. Belly fat can raise your risk of diabetes by more than three hundred percent! The fat in your abdomen may be producing compounds that make your cells resistant to insulin. The American Heart Association says that even at a normal weight for your height, extra belly fat can be a problem. Make sure your routine includes three to five sessions of cardiovascular exercise a week. Stress can raise … Continue reading →

How Carefully Do You Watch TV?

In previous blogs I mentioned the method by which I “watch” television. Typically, I utilize my ears more than my eyes. Most moms will tell you that watching television (even the news) is a rare luxury. It is for me anyway. In addition, in our home the television may be on, but that doesn’t necessarily mean someone is in front of it (one of my pet peeves). What’s more, in our household “watching” could be defined as any number of things. For example, did you know it was possible for some husbands to “watch” television through a newspaper? Or, how … Continue reading →

The most DESPICABLE thing a parent could do!

I did the most despicable thing a parent could ever do: I canceled my cable TV service. What, dude, are you nuts? You would give up the greatest pacifier and argument-ender ever invented? And, hey, you are a professor specializing in media! How are you going to stay current? The latter questions, regarding my career, are not relevant for this blog, but I might be able to offer a few insights into why getting rid of cable is not that much of a big deal, using my background knowledge. In some respects getting rid of cable TV is an empty … Continue reading →

Teaching Discernment

As moms we feel the pressure to monitor everything our children watch, listen to or read. However, keeping up with a child on those issues can be very difficult. That is not to say it is impossible or should not be attempted. However, teaching children discernment will not only alleviate your stress and workload it will teach your child valuable skills. In my house, we have one TV so monitoring what my children see is very easy. However, there are times when I hear my oldest telling another to turn the channel due to a show’s content. This is fairly … Continue reading →

The Other Side of the Picture

I’m convinced that how successful and lasting a marriage is comes back to several things. One is choosing the right person and thinking it through logically and carefully before you embark on marriage. The other is, as Mary Ann suggested, each one’s attitude towards marriage and commitment to it. Now it’s time to spend time apart says reality TV star Heidi Montag. Since I never watch reality TV, I know nothing about this woman or Spencer Pratt, her husband, apart from the article. Mick’s comment when he suggested this was something I might use was, ‘it sounds like the reality … Continue reading →

What About Romance?

Romance– just the mere word is enough to send some guys running for cover. Others, like the young man last night who got down on bended knee in the sand with a little box and asked his girlfriend to marry him, know how to be romantic. Incidentally she said yes. It’s something that’s happened before on our beaches in summer and it is romantic. As for the words romantic movie, some men wouldn’t be caught within a hundred yards of a movie theater showing a romantic movie. I’m glad my husband isn’t like this. His favorite movie is Casablanca. Another … Continue reading →