I let my children enjoy televsion on a daily basis and there are programs that I view with them that I think are fun and harmless. Or so I thought.

Thursday night is their favorite. They will perform just about any act under the sun in order to have the privledge of watching this season's new show "My Name Is Earl". I think the show is funny. It has some content that perhaps falls in the objectionable area, but we have not had to visit any undesired topics so it's all good family fun. Or so I thought.

My very articulate son, my offspring that springs forth constant verbage, was in his usual form while getting something done, I don't recall. Forgive me, my life tends to be a blur of days with repeated, mundane activities, mashed together incoherently. Not unlike what I am typing. He informed some unfortunate individual foolish enough to fein interest in what was spewing from his mouth, that his favorite show was "My Name Is Earl". When relaying this story to me later this individual's response or tone suggested that this was a less than desirable activity. My immediate thought upon their expression of disapproval? Pull the stick out of your......I'll quit while I'm ahead. That way I won't have to pull my foot out of my mouth.

Since when did it become objectionable to watch television with our children. I see objectionable material all the time and with the advent of TiVO I am fortunate enough to be able to pre-view what my children think they want to see. In most cases I watch with them in the event that the subject matter, while having been reviewed by myself and my husband, may be translated differently than expected. It works well for us. And as I listen to this individual expound on the evils of media I thought again, when was it anyone's business but mine.

People are funny. Somehow what our neighbor is doing is always so much more interesting than what we're doing. Silly people.

Hmm, It never occured to me that this was an inappropriate activity for my children to enjoy. I guess the joke's on me, or is it? As my children get older I find it refreshing that with my honesty in parenting has come an openess in my family that has worked to my benefit in our everyday living and communicating. I won't lie to you and tell you that it's all roses, on the contrary, but my honesty with them has provided me with oportunities that I know I would not otherwise have had. Most importantly, my children are completely honest with me and my husband. I tell them when I have screwed up, when I make mistakes and when I don't like being the Mom. I tell them that I like them. Which I feel is different than loving them. Loving them comes naturally for me, because they are my offspring. Liking them, on the other hand, well that's debateable on a daily basis. My Dad used to tell me that he loved me and my siblings. That he loved my Mother unconditionally. But he wasn't required to like us all of the time. I get that now. I have been informed by my children what they do when they are with their friends when I am not around, or when they commit the most minor infraction. And when they have made a major infraction.

So what does this have to do with a television program? Well, I am honest with them in their viewing. I am not afraid to say, pointedly, that they can not watch certain programs for the sexual content or the violence. I don't sugar coat it, I just say it. When it comes to "My Name Is Earl" they understand most of the humor, we laugh till our sides hurt and we talk about wether the content in the show is realistic and appropriate. Our biggest obstical has been remembering not to repeat it to other adults. (Most of their friends don't get it, so they don't waste the time and effort to relay the episodes) But this was the first time I had a condsending reaction and I found it curious. Much the same way I find people's reaction to my choice to homeschool. Weird.