I'm sure this is one that we've all been on both sides of - on one hand, when we were teenagers, we found the "R" rating overly "restrict"ive. On the other hand, we've been to movies where we saw young kids in the audience and suddenly saw the violence/sex/language/adult content through new eyes.

Barry Koltnow from the Orange County Register has seen too many kids in horrifying movies, like the time a woman and her young son were mesmerized by "Exorcist: The Beginning" (presumably, in terror) or the time the boy asked his mom to take him out of "Bad Santa" - it was too scary. He wonders if these moms only have half a brain.

Of course, even if you possess only half a brain, there was the "R" rating. That's why they put "R" ratings on movies - so that stupid parents have a clue, and teens know which movie to sneak into that weekend.

He says that the MPAA is partly to blame, having relaxed its ratings guidelines in recent years, but parents should still pay attention to the ratings - they are there for a reason. He gives those of us parents (the ones with a brain, I suppose) a refresher on the ratings guidelines.

As for me? Even some of the "G" movies have themes that are a little shocking for my little one (like, in how many Disney movies is the mama character going to die? Hmmm??). However, I have been known to let him cuddle with me as I'm watching "Law and Order" (covering his eyes during the gory parts they occasionally have during the opening, of course). What are your rules? Are you consistent?