+++++ CHILDREN AND THE TV.

25.

THE PROBLEM OF CHLDREN AND WHAT DO DO ABOUT THEM FACES ALL MARRIED TVS WITH ACCEPTING WIVES WHO HAVE FAMILIES THERE ARE VARIOUS IDEAS ABOUT AS TO WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT AND THE RUN FROM BEING VERY OPEN ABOUT DRESSING IN THE PRESENCE OF THE CHILD TO THE OTHER EXTREME OF SEEING THAT THEY KNOW NOTHING OF IT. THIS LATTER COURSE CAN BE EX- CEEDINGLY FRUSTRATING TO THE TV.

SINCE THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT FACES A LOT OF US WE PRINT BELOW ONE TV'S SOLUTION TO IT AND WE SOLICIT LETTERS FROM OTHERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM TO SUBMIT THEIR SOLU- TIONS TO BE PRINTED IN FUTURE ISSUES.---Ed

CHILDREN AND TV--ONE SOLUTION

by PEGIE VAL ADDAIR

We were discussing the other night the various ways of introducing TV to children. Our little daughter is four now. Cathy is very impressionable and very mentally alert too. We have two smaller sons but will discuss them some other time Our experience so far is with daughters. We further think that young daughters might find TV less alarming than would sons.

If I were an occasional or weekend TV I would never attempt to arrange or decide on a plan for allowing my children to witness any TV activity. However I cannot limit my activity to 52 times a year like some and I must therefore be prepared for any eventuality since I give in to my compulsions every night. The usual routine is like this: I come home and eat supper, fool with the kids for an hour or watch television or some other family activity and then retire to the den. In this sanctuary, of course, Cathy is never allowed. Dorine, my wife, of course knows all. Any visitors are ones that know too. So I stay in the den and write or watch tv etc. After Cathy and the babies are asleep I can roam at will. Quite often I will be with the kids until rather late before retiring to the den. I dont have a rigid schedule.