The Funky Bee

My own personal blah, blah, blah...

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Okay, I'm sure a lot of people will disagree with me but I don't really care...You know what I hate? I hate parents who make it a point to tell you, "I don't let my kids watch tv" or whatever the restriction is on their children and television watching.

You know what? My kid is 6 months old and he watches tv. He loves Blue's Clues and Play with me Sesame and Barney and Ni Hao Kai Lan. And you know what? When I can sit him down in his chair and get 20 minutes of time to get things done while he's entertained, it is GREAT! And seriously, it's not like I'm sitting him down in front of porn. I mean, I don't know if you've watched children's programming lately, but it's pretty freakin smart. I don't see how it can be bad for them. I mean, they are teaching them things. Colors, shapes, how to say words in Chinese!! (which we'll probably all need some day soon when the Chinese take over - HA!)

When I was little the television was my baby sitter. I mean, it sounds awful but it wasn't that bad. Believe me, I loved it. I mean, I wasn't allowed to watch tv while doing homework or while we had dinner but I watched A LOT of television as a child, and as much as I'd like to think some of them were "educational", for the most part, that kind of programming didn't exist then. My earliest memories of shows that I watched were Sesame Street, 3-2-1 Contact, The Electric Company, The Muppets to name the good one's. Then it goes down hill. I watched a lot of cartoons - Tom and Jerry, Bugs Bunny, Heckle and Jeckle, etc. I loved the Carol Burnett Show, The Jeffersons, Good Times, and to this day, one of my favorite shows is Three's Company. And I will defend my mom by saying she HATED that show and never allowed me to watch it. But let's face it, kids can kind of get away with things when their parents are at work or making dinner or what have you. And guess what, I didn't turn out to be some psychopath or numb skull from watching too much tv. I think I'm a pretty healthy, smart adult.

I think my child is going to be just fine and that watching television isn't going to make him some worthless bum! I mean, he seems to enjoy it and I can truly say that tv for children these days is a LOT better than when we were kids. I mean, our kids have their own channels dedicated to educational programming. When we were little we had to watch what was on and then wait for Saturday morning to watch cartoons.

What do people think they are gaining or doing for their kids by not letting them watch tv? Do you think your kids will be smarter than mine? Do you think they'll read more? I love television, but I also love to read. I read at least a book or two every couple of weeks. I also read to my kid. I believe there should be limits as they get older. Yeah, they can't watch 20 hours of tv in a day but in this digital, technological age we are in, how could you keep your kids away from it? One of our friends who recently had their second child told us that they didn't let their first child watch tv until he was 2 years old and now that they let him he's ADDICTED to it. I don't want that to happen to my child. I want him to know it's there and choose to watch or not when the time comes. I don't want a 5 year old that won't go outside because he wants to see this show that's on tv. I want a 5 year old that says, I've seen that, I know what tv is and I can come back to it any time I want. Right now, I'm going outside to play...

Anyway, rant over.The End...

4 Comments:

  • At 12:55 PM, December 16, 2009, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    I watched telly for hours every day/night when I was a kid and then as an adult I could go weeks without even switching it on! Except lately because being unemployed and broke doesn't leave a whole ton of options to get through each day.

     
  • At 5:49 PM, December 16, 2009, Blogger Cold Hands said…

    I agree, that whole 'I'm better than you because I choose a different parenting style' is very common.

    We were basically raised by tv, yet all three of us kids love to read and two of us have really great jobs. It didn't seem to mess us up more than the freakshow kid that wasn't allowed to watch anything.

    I say you punch the naysayers in the face

     
  • At 9:36 AM, December 17, 2009, Blogger Oh great One said…

    Eh it's all about balance. I think letting your kid watch tv is fine. Except when it's a replacement for mom. You read to your child..THAT is an important thing! Not only does it bond you but it helps foster a love for books. TV won't replace THAT! That's kind of a rambling crazy old lady way of saying, "Do your thang lady! Your baby will be fine!"

     
  • At 3:19 PM, December 18, 2009, Blogger gusgreeper said…

    balance = agree. you are doing great.

     

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