#Glee - Are Your Kids Watching?

I am a Glee addict. I have seen every episode at least twice (many more than twice). My kids are Glee addicts and yes, I do know that many of the issues they delve into are inappropriate for some kids. They may even be technically inappropriate for my kids. And yet, I allow my girls to watch.

I actually like that Glee talks about topics that my children probably hear about at school anyway. We all know that kids talk. And kids gossip. And kids dole out misinformation like it’s fact. I use Glee as a teaching tool. I have seen every episode WITH my girls. We talk. They ask questions. I answer them. I would much rather have my girls sit and have a conversation with me rather than hear about things like drugs, bullying and sex at school or from their friends. Are they too young? Maybe, but my feeling is that if you start a discussion with your children early on, they will be much more likely to come to you with the really hard questions.

This week’s Glee centered around teen sex. I wasn’t sure it was something I really was prepared to talk to my kids about just yet so I didn’t let them watch it while it aired. I explained to them why. I told them that this was supposed to be an inappropriate episode and I felt comfortable watching it first and then deciding if I wanted them to see it.

So I watched it. And I can’t say I was completely happy with what I saw.

I thought the cast did a superb acting job… and I would love to see the entire cast do the full presentation of West Side Story. But… while all this was playing out, I was shocked and surprised to hear Artie tell Rachel and Blaine that they couldn’t really understand what love was about since they had never had sex. Holy crap! First of all, I’m pretty sure Tony and Maria in West Side Story never had sex and they had the most romantic, star-crossed love affair ever. Secondly, I was disappointed that such a popular show with teens would contribute to the idea that high school kids should be going out and having sex with their boyfriends/girlfriends. I’m not naive, I know it happens way too often, but for a television show that high school kids watch all the time to actually tell them they should be doing that is wrong. It’s irresponsible.

So I sat and watched and decided that my kids would NOT watch this episode. And then I changed my mind. I think I am going to let them watch. And I’ll be sitting there with them. Because I want my kids to know that it is NOT okay. I want them to know they have options, choices, can make decisions that aren’t based on what their friends are pushing them to do.

I know my kids are young. But I am making the choice to expose them to life issues early in order to prevent them from making stupid choices or doing stupid things later. I am also brainwashing them to come talk to me. You laugh… yes, I am brainwashing them. I have told them from the time they could talk that they can come talk to me about anything… and everything. And you know what? They do! I am the person they come to with their questions. I am the person they come to with problems at school. I am the person they come to when they get hurt… or are confused… or are in trouble. And that’s just the way I like it.

As a parent, we have two choices. One, we stay involved with our children in every aspect of their life. Two, we stand back and let them fend for themselves. The real trick comes from knowing when to do ONE and when to do TWO. Parenting is a balance and in the end, you just sit and pray that when you do number TWO, they will remember all the times you did number ONE.