[bolt.]

Your DH has a straightforward and slightly tactless way of expressing himself, but I don't think there is anything wrong with his actual advice -- it's just that he isn't saying it like "advice" so that rubs me the wrong way.

If you want the show gone, you can make it happen, but it isn't going to be without protests or consequences. If you only want to eliminate the show if it can be done painlessly, don't bother. It can't be done painlessly, and there's no sense going around the merry-go-round if you are just going to end up backing down.

I don't think it needs to be quite as "formal" as a meeting, but announcing the change in advance (with concrete clarity about when it is going to start) is a good way to cut down on the intensity of the children's reactions. Having another plan for that time frame is also good advice. (Doing 'nothing in particular' instead of the show is likely to make their reactions worse.)

I don't like his characterization about the children 'squawk' - ing... but the truth is that you are the boss of the TV, and they've only got words.

You are the decision maker, and if you can just feel fine about your choice and do what you think is best -- then it honestly doesn't matter if they feel the need to 'say some words' (or get fussy, or meltdown) about the situation. It's a done deal. They are also free to have feelings and say words about not wanting the sun to set, but their words aren't going to change what happens. It's easy. You simply don't regard it as a debate, because the issue isn't up for debate. It's just kids having a few moments of self-expression -- which they are welcome and entitled to. No issue to you at all.