Tweens and Television

Television is a parent's nemesis, at times, as it is a favorite source of entertainment for parents, and children alike, but can also cause a huge lack of activity, as family members become entranced with the offerings.  With streaming movies via Netflix, Amazon, and others, there are more and more options for family viewing, and my own tweens glean a great deal from educational programming.  It's still important for a parent to monitor tween television viewing, and I am not a fan of personal tween television set ups for their rooms.  A family television area provides a better oversight of programming and use, and further, such an area promotes family unity through a common activity area.  It's nice to have a couple of such areas, if possible, but allowing your tween to create a cave-like atmosphere in a bedroom tends to be more isolating.