When it comes to deciding what television shows are appropriate for tweens to watch during prime time, it is certainly left up to personal opinion and family values. If you are very concerned about the amount of violence and sexual content that can be seen on regular prime time shows these days, then there are some alternatives for your tweens. You are going to have to look elsewhere than the major networks to find good television shows, but decent prime time shows for tweens are not hard to find.
The Disney Channel
The Disney Channel is a favorite network for tweens. It has a number of good, wholesome shows for your child to watch. Kids particularly like the half-hour sitcoms that Disney has to offer. They are generally comical, but also tend to teach lessons that kids pick up without even knowing it. The half-hour show lineup each evening may differ in different parts of the country, but probably includes the following top-rated shows, among others:
- Hannah Montana - Which deals with friendships
- The Suite Life of Zack and Cody - Which deals with family relationships
- Wizards of Waverly Place - A fun show that deals with sibling rivalry
- Life With Derrick - Which teaches the value of family and friends without being preachy
Besides the regular half hour shows, there are also movie showings during prime time, such as "The Cheetah Girls," the Halloween Town series of movies, Monsters, Inc., and more. There is a Disney movie most every evening. It actually makes a great time for family to sit together and watch something the everyone can enjoy.
Nickelodeon & Nick-at-Night
Nickelodeon has some good tween shows during prime time. Most of the half-hour sitcoms are very entertaining, like the Disney Channel, and your child can learn some important values as well. One favorite is Zoey 101, which stars Jamie Lynn Spears (Britney Spear's little sister). There is also Drake and Josh, iCarly, and It's Just Jordan.
Nick-at-Night begins at 9:00 p.m. on weeknights. Most shows are still very family oriented, but you should use your judgment when deciding what you want your tween to watch at this hour. Again, lineups will differ according to region, but you will generally see the following shows, among others:
- Home Improvement with Tim Allen
- The George Lopez Show
- Family Matters
- Sabrina the Teenage Witch
Nickelodeon shows original movies on the weekends, which are a big hit with tweens. You usually will not see movies played during weekdays.
TV Land: Oldies But Goodies
If you are still stuck on the past because of the wholesome shows you watched as a youngster than there are some shows on that your tween might enjoy. TV Land has some of the oldies but goodies, like The Andy Griffith Show, The Brady Bunch, I Love Lucy, Bewitched, and Happy Days, just to name a few. The shows change all the time, from day to day, so check your local listings to see what is airing in your part of the country.
For those tweens that like cartoons (and many still do), the Cartoon Network has cartoons that older kids might like. They also have some decent movies during prime time. Their companion station Boomerang has all the old cartoons we watched when we were kids, including Tom and Jerry, Scooby Doo, Dexter’s Laboratory, and more.
As you can see, there are some really good prime time shows for tweens to watch. Just remember that whatever they watch, watch it with them a few times to be sure the show is appropriate. Also try talking to your tween about TV shows they watch, and take an interest in what they like to watch. This will make them feel good about what they watch too...even if it does teach morals and values that you want them to learn!
Find more Parenting Tweens articles on Suite101.
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