We have a television, but it does not get any television channels. It’s used for DVDs and occasionally a video game every couple of months. I like it that way. Our lives are not controlled by it. It quite literally drives me crazy the amount of television most people watch. And the fact that they have to get home to watch this episode of __fill in the blank__. I suppose it shouldn’t bug me what other people do in their free time, but it does. [Plus when I go to discuss books, most people haven’t even read one in the past 3 to 4 months (where I quite frequently go through 1 a week at least) and I don’t really follow most television conversations very well]
I do let the girls watch some shows, all of them on DVDs. Which is nice, because I can pick what shows they are, nothing too violent AND they’re not bombarded by all the commercials for the “latest and greatest.” They watch things like Caillou, SuperWhy, Backyardigans, Little Einsteins, Winnie the Pooh, Thomas the Train and Wall-E. Probably the most violent thing they see is Finding Nemo.
Which is why today when Seporah and Felicity were playing and Seporah turns around to Felicity with both dukes up and said, “Let’s Fight!” (like out of Dragonball Z) I was completely shocked. Most kids watch those type of shows or even if they don’t they watch their parents watch some pretty gnarly stuff that the kids get exposed to. Seporah and Felicity NEVER have. I was stunned, “No fighting!” was all I could muster.
My mom says I’m the mean mom since I censor so much, plus I don’t give my kids candy or non-educational toys (I’m not sure wether to take that as a compliment or not). Somehow or another my 4 year old still busted out the karate chop action at the unassuming moment much to the chagrin of her mother.
*Disclaimer- I do watch Big Bang Theory and Modern Family, but those are quite literally the only 2. They make me laugh soooo hard. I had previously watched a show called The Seeker, but quit after episode 12 or so when it became too repugnant for me*
*Tangent- Wow I just realized there are a lot of big words in this post, which is amazing considering the fact that I’m still on narcotics every 4 hours (I’m now wondering if I used the words correctly or if I’m just like a drunk person who thinks they’re witty when in reality they aren’t). BTW, I could never be a drug addict, I don’t really like pain, but I really don’t like the drowsiness or slow thinkingness either*
Huh, I don’t recall your mom telling you that you were a mean mom. Are you sure we are talking about the same person?
I think controlling what our kids watch is a good thing. After all, we raised you on one channel (AFN in Europe and Fox in the States) for most of your life and you turned out okay.
Dad
Mostly PBS in the states. You know, it was great not having much TV when you were growing up. I think you guys all watched plenty at your friends homes.
So how is it you are mean? Maybe you just think that since I threatened your dad for you after he gave the kids too many cookies without your permission.
You might have noticed not much TV here even now while you were visiting.
And don’t worry about Seporah. I always love watching the little boys whose moms say they’ll never be allowed to play with toy guns. They just make their own at the right age with anything at hand: 2 legos, a nicely shaped branch, or, if nothing else presents itself, their thumb and forefinger.
Hey, they’re still gonna be kids. Still with you on the hope that your older daughter doesn’t maul the littler one.
Love you