I have a phobia about TV and its effects on my children. I don’t know why? I watched approximately 42 hours per week growing up (and I came out okay, didn’t I)?
Still, my first few years as a parent, I kept tight tabs on what and how much my children watched.
I’ve lightened up considerably. Six years into the game I’ve stopped trying to be the purfrect parent. PBS Kids and The Disney channel are frequent guests in our home. See? I even misspelled perfect.
The children are happy, I’m happy.
"But Mommy! We want to watch Nick Jr! We want Dora and Blues Clues!"
"You’ve got Dora and Blues Clues videos. Shall I put one in?" I smile sweetly.
"No! We want regular Dora....on TV!
Damn!
You see. It's not even the TV that bothers me so much. It’s the commercials. I’m not a big shopper, but on rare occassion when I find myself in a mall, there are suddenly thousands of things I’d like to have. How is a little kid supposed to compete against a billion dollar industry that’s done extensive research on how to manipulate them?
Then again, mama really wants her break!
Time for a little chat.
The next day. Riley and Seth are in the living room, watching Nick Jr. (regular). A commercial comes on and Seth is there, scowling, pointing at the television.
"We don’t need that!" He says.
Riley adds indignantly, "They want to take my money!"
Smiling, I sip my coffee. One day I’m going to convince Hot Toddy to get rid of that noisy box. Until then, I’ll enjoy my break, and try not to worry so much.
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10 comments:
Doo-doo-do-do (twilight music). This is so weird - we blogged about TV at the same time.
Yes - I'm considering tivo for just that reason. I could train the kiddos to fast forward the commercials. Also, we would need to be intentional and plan on what we want to see and not just vegitate in front of the box (us grown-ups in the house that is).
Boy, your children are smarter than mine. Or maybe it's better parenting!;) Either way can you come over and explain what your kids were talking about to my kids, so they stop asking for stuff from the commercials like Moon Sand.
LMAO! Wonnerful job there. (see? I can play, too. ;) )
I started only letting PBS in, because it has no commercials. But. Yeah. That didn't last more than a couple years.
I think it is most important that we have that talk.
:)
Hello, wandered over here via somebody else's blog. Already forgot who, isn't that lovely?
We love NOGGIN here. It was a must when we got satellite. No commercials, sweet shows with good messages though I can't stand LazyTown. Everything about it.
Then again, I have a 2 1/2 yr old and 3 month old...neither know yet to demand purchases.
I have tried both recording shows and zooming past the ads and brainwashing my children to say just the same things your kids said. Brainwashing seems to work better since they get ads everywhere else, anyway. Good job, Michelle! Take your break with an A.
This has nothing to do with television but Gramma Annie wants to thank all you friends and bloggers who prayed for Michelle's brother Tim. He came home from the hospital today. We are blessed that he is alive and healing.
Blessings
Gramma Annie
As a kid, I had a friend who developed a brain tumor. She had a tv in her bedroom. I was convinced that the two were related.
I've always had good logic.
Geez, when I was a kid, TV was my savior. It was the only thing I could focus on that wasn't harmful. Of course I grew up in the 1950's and TV was very very different. But I do agree with you about TV these days.
I agree with the anti-tv attitude. Not only are the show, commercials bad, but if you allow it, then all of a sudden you are having to police the amount of time they children watch it. I say no to tv - the kids watch movies on the weekends - it seems to work for everyone and we've been doing it for so long that no on even bothers complaining anymore.
I love that you're kids are so intune with the commercials!!!
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