As someone who follows the television industry and is very up-to-date on what is on the air, I’m usually pretty good at knowing what TV shows I’ll like and which ones are just not for me. However, there are times when my teenage sons have tried to talk me into watching one of their favorite shows. Even if I don’t think I will like it, I will always give their recommendations a chance. And I usually wind up loving them.

The Office

I initially watched an episode in the first season and thought Michael Scott (Steve Carell) was too over the top and the comedy too broad. On my behalf, season one is considered the weakest season. When I finally started watching again in season two, I fell in love with the show. Once you get to know all the characters you laugh just from looking at their expressions. And when you add in the Jim and Pam love story the show has everything.

Battlestar Galactica

I was positive I wouldn’t like this one. I was never a big science fiction fan and had slight memories of the original show by this name which was never something I would have watched. My son kept telling me how I would love it since I love “Lost” and this is even more intellectual and political. He owned the DVDs so I decided to give it a try and he was right. It is an amazing show. It was probably the most intelligent show on television. Even though it is off the air now, we can continue our watching and discussion with its prequel, “Caprica.”

Chuck (the opposite of the above)

When “Chuck” premiered both my sons were away at college and did not have very much time for TV, so they confined their watching to their old favorites. I began watching “Chuck” because it looked like a great series with a great premise, and knew it was a show my sons would love. When I found out my sons weren’t watching it, I knew I had to do something. It may sound strange hearing a parent try to talk their teens into watching more TV, but I knew “Chuck” would be one of their favorite shows if they gave it a chance. It took awhile, because teens don’t necessarily care about following their parents advice on pop culture, but when they finally watched “Chuck,” they instantly loved it and caught up on all the episodes they missed immediately. Now, it is one of the TV shows we discuss most often.

Three great things came out of my listening to my kid’s advice. I found some great new television shows to watch. I made my kids feel good for taking their advice. But the best part was the bonding that resulted when we now watch these shows together.

If you liked this post and want more tips on connecting with your teen, please check out the rest of my blog, “Connect with your Teens through Pop Culture and Technology” at http://connectwithyourteens.blogspot.com.