Guidelines from theAmerican American Academy of Pediatricsemphasize joint engagement.
I get it, I do.
But man, that feels cruelto parents.
I realized that the only way to do this (sanely) is to find some new content.
Recently, while scrolling through Netflix, I landed onThe Great British Baking Show.
I thought it might something my kid and I could both get intoweve always liked cooking videos.
It turned out to be a hit.
The whole time, weooooh-ed andawww-ed at the contestants skills and chatted about who we thought should win.
I realized that reality shows might be the great television middle ground for kids and parents.
I asked the members of theOffspring Facebook groupwhat reality shows and contests they watch with their kids.
My neighbors seven-year-old daughter went asJessie Grafffor Halloween.)
Even when contestants dont achieve their goals, they usually emerge on camera smiling and talking about trying again.
Theres an emphasis on the importance of support networks, which I love.
Writes a dad named Grant: House Hunters Renovationhas really pushed my five-year-old into design.
Now she plays by presenting kitchen paint and tile options to my wife and I.
Tip for parents:Give your kid a doodle pad to gather inspiration.
Its refreshing to see kids away from screens and so dedicated to their craft.
(What 10-year-olds make eclairs from scratch?
These ones do.)
Also, theyre genuinely kind to each othertheres zero cattiness or ego.
Judges Duff Goldman and Valerie Bertinelli are encouraging, but arent afraid to give constructive criticism.
Kids learn theres always room to improve.
Tip for parents:Check out thekids baking how-toson the shows website.
Your aspiring bakers can learn how to make ice cream sandwiches or cream-puff swans.
Tip for parents:Some of the prosthetics are pretty terrifying.
Dont watch it with little kids before bedtime.
Maybe itll inspire your teenagers to use more body wash.
Tip for parents:Know that theres an occasional F-bomb in the show.
Watch it on:Netflix
