I used to be so proud of the fact that my two-year-old hardly ever watched TV. Whenever it was on, she would just go about her business, playing with stuffed animals or coloring on construction paper.
That was before Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.
That little mouse has turned my daughter out! She comes home from daycare and then runs straight to the TV. “I wanna watch Mickey Mowse,” she says in her Southern drawl. (Why my daughter sounds like a native Texan I will never know.)
“Sweetie, why don’t we color instead? Or how about you play in your kitchen?”
“No! I wanna watch Mickey Mowse,” she repeats.
Normally, I let her watch one episode then it’s time to do something else. But yesterday, before I knew it, one episode had ended and another one had started before I could get up to tell her that was enough. And if you know my daughter, you do NOT interrupt Mickey Mouse. Or risk getting your head chewed off.
So I let the second episode play, vowing to cut her off after that one. But then I realized something.
I actually got WORK done while she was glued to that TV. I didn’t have a wee little one tripping me up by running under my feet, I got dinner done in record time and I even managed to get a load of clothes in the washer. Go ahead and pat me on the back.
But I felt bad about parking her in front of the TV. Which is weird for me, because I try hard not to succumb to the mommy guilt.
Help me out here: Have you ever used the TV as a babysitter? Did you feel guilty?
Don’t feel guilty. Its just the world that we live in. I loved cartoons when I was little, but my parents maintained a balance. You seem to have that,so Mickey Mouse as a babysitter for an hour is cool!!
My kids show of choice is Backyardigans
I don’t think anything is wrong with that, depending on the type of show it is. For example, Dora the Explorer will have Jonirah glued to the TV. That’s something I consider a beneficial cartoon because it teaches Spanish. I’ve learned some spanish words from the show myself. I still like old school cartoons. Tom & Jerry is one of my favorites I watch with my son often, but when I think about it, it’s probably not the best thing for him to watch. They are beating the $%#@ out of one another the entire show, lol. So we do more Wonder Pets, Deigo, Ni Hao Ki-lan (sp?), Backyardigians, etc. Something he will be able to pull from it.
I wish Jaedyn would get more into books. When I try to read to him, he goes to the back of the book and closes it before I’m done with the first page!
I agree. Don’t feel bad about letting her watch t.v. I don’t mind Donnie watching t.v. for a little while as long as it is an educational show (he watches a lot of PBS). That way, he is learning something and you get to get stuff done!! It’s a win win situation for everyone!
I agree! I wouldnt feel bad either. My 19 month old LOVES Mickey’s Playhouse and Handy Manny and my 6 yr old loves anything Spongbob. I rationalize it like this. Theyve had a busy day away from the house and me – going on about thier day with school and daycare. They deserve to unwind too! And I let them do that by watching something on TV they like. I do also get a lot of work done but thats just rationalized by saying hey, at least we all did something we want to do. Their’s always the weekend for more creative activities.
*said while patting you on the back*
LOL. To answer your questions: Uhh… yeah, and uhh… no! I feel no guilt. None whatsoever, and here’s why…
Its not like I’m not spending any time with my daughter during the entire day. We spend time together, she spends time by herself looking through her books, working in her workbooks, creating artwork for the fridge or whatever else she feels like doing alone, and then she enjoys watching her favorite shows on tv. So don’t feel like you have done something bad, or like you are turning her into some kind of couch potato. Not the case. Like you pointed out, you usually allow her to watch and then you redirect her to something else. I am sure that Mickey is educational and I am sure that she will still enjoy doing all the other things that both she and you like that are outside of the tv.
Girl don’t feel guilty, my 5 yr olds loves Word World, it comes on right when I need to cook, so she watches it, then she watches curious George or Arthur. The TV is only the devil if you let it be. And we are tv watchers, and we love movies, my daughter has her own collection of disney movies, and some other cartoon movies. It can also help their attentin span too.
Girl don’t feel guilty, my 5 yr olds loves Word World, it comes on right when I need to cook, so she watches it, then she watches curious George or Arthur. The TV is only the devil if you let it be. And we are tv watchers, and we love movies, my daughter has her own collection of disney movies, and some other cartoon movies. It can also help their attention span too.
Shhhh…yes! shhhh
Don’t feel guilty, at least she is learning and you are able to cook her a healthy meal and still have enough sanity left to enjoy dinner with the family.lol I catch myself getting distracted by the kids shows too!(even though I’ve seen them all multiple times)lol Balance is the key.
@Ms Miko – Yes, I usually let her watch TV when I need her to stay out my hair while I’m cooking. It makes me nervous when she runs through the kitchen with bubbling pots and pans on the stove, so I figure, if nothing else, it’s keeping her safe, right?
@Ms. Bar B – Yes, Mickey is pretty educational. She’s learned her shapes and colors and all sorts of things. And I know the episodes by heart now, so I’m able to ask her questions and get involved to. Plus, I hate to admit it, but some of that stuff is pretty funny. LOL.
@Mignon – Oh, my I forgot about Handy Manny, or as my 2-year-old calls him, “Hanny Manny.” Those songs are definitely catchy and I kind of wish Kelly (from the hardware store) and Manny would hook up. lol.
@Erica – Yeah, I need to introduce her to more PBS shows. On Saturdays, the channel stays on Disney, but I’ve heard good things at PBS’ programming so one day I’ll have to switch it when she’s not looking. LOL.
@ Courtney – LOL at the Tom and Jerry fights. They do like to kill each other, don’t they?
OMG YES!! I think that too. He goes to her for EVERYTHING even though he probably has some of that stuff in his own shop. It’s like “hey tools, lets create an excuse to mosey on over to Kelly’s” lol!!
And is it just me or have you noticed how Manny rolls his eyes at the candy store owner every time he needs something? lol.
@Mignon – Yeah, you know that “Kelly’s Hardware Store” song? Everytime I hear it, I’m just like, “Oh, geez, get on with it already!” Manny could just work out of her shop and save himself the trip. LOL. And the candy store owner needs to stop being so mean and let Manny just FIX something already. I get so annoyed when he has a HANDYMAN standing there with all his talking tools and he won’t just let him fix the sign/applicance/car/whatever’s broken. Sooo annoying! As you can tell, I don’t have a life and so I get very involved in the life of these cartoon characters. So so sad….
I’m right with you. I definitely over-analyze these shows. *sigh*…. the stuff I do for my children. Manny could really work with Kelly though. Doesn’t it just burn you up every time she “shows up” wherever Manny is. That’s why they haven’t let me write a kids show. I’d have knocking on the door of the bathroom while he was in there… since she likes to just randomly show up LOL.
*shakes head and makes mental note to search tv guide for the next time Manny’s on*