Now, i'm no adult, but I'm no kid either, but i saying this, cos parents have to realise it.
You can't hide things forever - there will always be confrontations
You can't control what your kids do, who they speak to or how they act at school
Kids don't go to bed, cos you're up late, they wanna find out what you're doing(watchin TV) and act like you(adults)
Too much discipline will make them feel small
Reading this, you'll think 'who the hell do you think you are, saying all this and you're not even a mother yourself' but we've all been a child once and we know what it feels like to be one.
So, talking on the theme of TV. For children under 10, i think it's best to stick to to kiddie shows without violence/nudity/horror. But gradually as they get to the age of 10, they would have identified with the society that they live in and how issues on the TV don't all fit that(society). e.g, if a neighbour gets divorced or something, you're hardly gonna get that topic arising in a show like Tweenies or Pokemon. So, it might be suitable for 10-year-olds to watch stuff on CBBC or CITV that have modern social issues. After 12 or 13 i should think, let your're kids watch soaps like Eastenders or Corrie. And at this stage they should be able to take in violence. I'm not saying it's a right, but it gradually builds the child's mind/view on the world today. But by this stage you're kids might find it's individuallity(i.e, fashion, friends etc) and it probably the start of giving them their own space. By 14, in this country at least, kids are grown into teens and are gonna think about a few adolescent issues (i.e, s3x, opposite gender, image, material possesions) this is when your mostly likely to confront the issue of girlfriends/boyfriends, that kinda stuff. At 15/16, they're definiately gonna push you away more, suggesting they're own private/'sacred' space. It's gonna be more hard communicating, but ask less pointless questions and be POSITIVE! 17, growing much maturer, settling down the hyperactiveness(if present), being much self-confident. 18 - 'fend for themselves, supposedly(can hopefully take in horror). But money issues will surround you forever, unless/until they get a job.
Phew! I feel like i've pshyco-analysed the basic life of kids. PLEASE don't take this as life-guidance! It's something i've done for myself after analysing the U.K's society. However, you can relate to it.
