Q. My kids loved Gossip Girl, but I didn’t. How can I get them to understand why I don’t like it without becoming the most humorless mom in America?

A. Good one. Edgy media often forces parents into a tough spot: We hate to be old school, but we need to talk to our kids when they see something that models behavior that we think is either unsafe or not consistent with our values. Here are a few quick tips:

· If you can, watch the show before your kids do. Then decide what you think.

· Don’t be afraid to say “no” to younger kids (in this case, middle school and younger, since this show is full of consequence-free underage drinking, smoking, drugging, and non-consensual sex).

· Watch with your older kids and insert your comments. Try to balance the negative with the humorous. It always helps credibility and ups the chances that you’ll actually be heard.