University of Wisconsin - Extension

In the final Parent Connection of the season, Wisconsin Public Television's acclaimed call-in series will go "without a net" as it puts parents and their children on the air to talk about issues in their relationships.

This Parent Connection, "Kids & Parents Talk About Parenting," airs at 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 2, on WPT. WMVS-TV/Milwaukee also will carry this program live.

Host Brenda Good will moderate the hour-long, live discussion originating from WPT's Green Bay studios. Toll-free phone lines will be open for viewer calls at (877) 674-8228 during the broadcast. A few calls will be taken live on the air.

"This is something we've never tried," says co-producer Eileen Littig. "We're putting four parents and four children on the air to talk about their relationships: parenting styles, lines of communication, things they might not address on a day-to-day basis."

Counselors and studies frequently say communication between parents and children is the biggest deterrent to destructive behaviors such as sexual promiscuity and alcohol and drug use. But saying "talk to your kids" is a lot easier than the reality of broaching sensitive topics.

"Parents who communicate their values to their children have the best results when it comes to having the youngsters grow up to be responsible adults," Littig says. "Ask any parent, and you'll find that getting kids to talk about what's on their minds can be difficult."

Parent Connection, now in its fourth season, is unique in offering parents a live broadcast forum to talk with each other about their concerns. "Kids & Parents Talk About Parenting" takes the Parent Connection idea one step further, drawing children directly into the mix.

"There's no tougher job in our society than parenting," Littig says. "If we in some small way help parents improve their relationships with their children, we are doing a great service."

Parent Connection airs four times each school year. The series is a co-production of WPT and Northeastern Wisconsin In-School Telecommunications (NEWIST/CESA #7). Toll-free phone service is provided courtesy of McLeod USA.

Wisconsin Public Television provides a forum for discussion of the day's most pressing issues on WHA-TV/Madison, WPNE-TV/Green Bay, WHLA-TV/La Crosse, WHRM-TV/Wausau, WLEF-TV/Park Falls and WHWC-TV/Menomonie-Eau Claire.