The common phrase in my house nearing bedtime, or just free lunch (thank you Dr. Phil for breaking up the day) is "you can't watch that". Of course it's me being told what I can and can't watch on my TV, for which I pay the cable bill. Being the boss of the house I can be heard answerin something about how I can watch and he can go play with that Barbie house I had to track down.
I'm not sure where, but she seems to have arrived at the decision that if I say she's too young to watch (like Reign, which commercials make her cry, or Dr. Phil somedays, maybe The Doctors is a little graphic...) she is of the opinion that I can't watch it either. We clearly view the world very differently. I never wanted to watch the silly TV, and didn't have cable until university, while she feels it should be what she wants to ignore all day. I just don't work that way.
So as a compromise she has a couple times a day when she can pick one show, so about an hour or so a day (feel free to judge, if I ever want clean dishes or to empty the litter box, she's going to watch some TV) and then I get a couple shows I can watch. As soon as she can tell time and notices I get an hour to her half hour I'll have a mini revolt on my hands. It seems to work though, and provides TV free time as well. I guess if I don't let her veto my shows I can't say much about those cartoons I've already seen 10 times. I can read my book, put away my laundry, or run some stairs (which after my recent injury I no longer suggest, and am hesitant to try) No one wants to teach a young child it's ok to run on the stairs...
What makes them think they can tell us what to do though? Maybe yours doesn't, so just help me with mine. I really don't get it. It's my house, my TV, my choice. I know it's my choice because you can't change the channel without a remote and I can reach the highest spot. That's like me trying to tell my dad if I can't have wine with supper either can he, except I'd get that look and never ever say it again. Something's are ok for adults to do that kids can't, and I don't like feeling like I'm sneaking TV shows. To the other room with the children! There may be important info I need to see, on my daytime TV... Maybe that's why they go to school all day, so we can watch whatever we want before thy exhaust us.
This leaves me wondering how to decide what she can and can't watch. Child abducted on Dr Phil? As long as it's not graphic and no one does maybe it's good for her to know. Broken foot on the Doctors? That's super useful info, I hope they cover it soon. Men getting hung in the forest on Reign? Heck no!
Our middle ground show? The Middle. It makes me feel like I'm doing an ok job and if she can do it so can I, mind you she has a script and it's not real, but it helps me anyway. She thinks it's funny and it opens discussions on how to deal with other kids picking on you and how everyone has their differences. Who knew so much good could come from a TV show.
I hope you maintain control of your own life, and your TV.