I love that term "Idiot Box". I've recently become a recovering TV addict but even during the days when my addiction was at its peak, I've always known that its stupid to spend so much time in front of a box. Well, these days, they aren't boxes anymore but sleek, flat screened entertainment panels!
Its going to be an uphill battle but I'll be trying my best to limit Aaron's exposure to the TV. Of course I don't cut it out entirely (I need sit-down time!). He has 30 mins on most days and I rotate between some 'educational' DVDs and some fun music ones like "The Wiggles".
I feel that since I am a stay-at-home mom, I don't want to get caught in a vicious cycle of having the TV babysit. HOWEVER, today, at 5.30pm, I really felt a bond with my Idiot Box.
Aaron's molars are about to cut through (read: irritable, whiny baby) and I've been woken up every hour all night long for the past few nights. Then today, we had a power outage from 9.30am to 4.30pm. Its HOT here! And after a short time at the mall to cool off, Aaron became too crabby and we HAD to come back to this heat so he could try to nap. Luckily he managed an hours rest but after that, we were back to entertaining a crabby toddler in an oven.
Anyway, by the time the power came back, I really needed a rest. What did I do? I turned to my friend, the Idiot Box. You can't imagine how good the Wiggles are at transforming Aaron into a super happy toddler that can't stop dancing and clapping his hands. Its crazy! It made me happy just watching him and we ended up having so much fun dancing around.
I can see how easy it could be to rely on the TV as a child grows older but its probably just as easy to have some interactive fun. Of course, it certainly would be tempting to sneak 30mins for myself as soon as Aaron is willing to spend time alone with my friend, The Idiot Box........but I'd better not go there.
12 comments:
Hi! To answer your question about Fun Monday...there isn't a special place to sign up. Just check a blog that has a fun monday entry, then follow the "next week host" link. It's a different host/hostess each week.
For instance I'm hosting this week and Karisma is hosting next week.
Her [Karisma} link is on my Fun Monday blog entry.
Hi...I am right there with you. Miss Peach is 2 1/2, and I have managed to limit the tv usage. She just found Sesame Street, and I let her watch it. I grew up with Sesame Street, I don't think that could be bad...could it?
The idiot box can provide great educational opportunities as well as provide entertainment. However, it needs to be regulated and monitored for kids just like the internet. There are lots of bad guys out there!
Sports are my downfall.
Yes ... we all think we will never do it (the TV, the video games, the gameboys) - but we do! Sometimes it is a savior - that idiot box. Good post - see ya.
It really is tough to ignore the draw of the Idiot Box. I saw you read my post on how it troubles me. I was raised in front of a tv, but I think I also went outside to play so much that it offset the tv. Then again, this segues into your post about your neighborhood parks.
It's amazing how some tv stuff captivates a child such as The Wiggles.
The Idiot Box is so called because of the idiots of put the programmes on it.
My opinion of television was summed up by American humorist Fred Allen, who said that television was called a "medium" because anything well done is rare. When it's good, it's very good...when it's yucky (which is most of the time), it's VERY yucky.
I know. We haven't relied on the idiot box too much, but we do rely on the baby einstein idiot videos now and then. So it's not all junk. :)
Limiting the TV is a super idea. It isn't always easy, but you get more memories made when the TV is off. I am so happy that you are going to play Fun Monday. If you need guidance, just let me know. I will guide you :)
Some parents could not persuade their kids to eat their meals unless the kids are in front of the TV. What a sad case....
Looks like plenty of parents start out trying to minimize TV time. How did so many of us end up TV addicts??
I guess these days, we'll have to look out for playstation or xbox addition too.....and also internet addiction....
Back in the days when I was growing up in Malaysia, there was only RTM 1 and RTM 2 and the programing sucks! There wasnt such a thing called the VCR either. I recall watching TV mostly with my parents where we watch the pontianak kind of malay movies, hee hee. Anyhow, later on, my parents limited TV to on an hour a day and till this day, I blame my parents for my lack of creativity in certain aspects (especially needed in my job)... :-P Having said this, I've lived without TV for 6 years and didnt miss much of it and read so much more instead.
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