A Fresh Start
Putting a family standard in place clarifies and simplifies the task of being the entertainment gatekeeper.
Articles within this series
After the family has waded through everyone's entertainment choices, measured them against the family standard and weeded out everything that flunked the test, you're ready to start fresh. Be diligent. Hold firm to the new guidelines.
From now on, if your teen asks to purchase a certain media product, you can confidently say, "Sure, but when you bring it home, we'll review it together, and if it doesn't meet the family standard, I take it and you're out the money." No more excuses. The family standard ("constitution") is in writing, and they can read it for themselves.
Rest assured, if your teenagers know it's their money on the line, they'll be much more selective about which entertainers they invite home.