I'm Watching "Barney"

Yes, that's right. I'm watching "Barney." My older son's in the other room playing with Legos. My younger one's taking a nap. So this is all on me.

But there's a good reason for my childish choice in television programming. I've learned a valuable lesson over the past year. If you put on the news, you will hear about the shootings in Newtown. You will hear about the bombing at the Boston Marathon. You will hear the news, yes, but it's so depressing, so all-consuming, that sometimes you'd just rather not know.

To be perfectly clear, I'd rather not know.

So I put on PBS Kids during the day whether the kids are watching or not. I like the cheerful little songs about sharing and cleaning up and being kind to one another. And if I'm in a good mood - feeling happy and safe in the world, not panicking over all the terrible things happening in remote locations around the globe - I'm definitely a better mom. It's as simple as that.

P.S. If you're wondering why I don't put on some quality adult music during the day, check out the prologue to this show on "This American Life" about a kindred spirit who understands why T.V. is so comforting.