You'd think ordinary morning television shows on PBS would be safe for kids to watch as you the parent, still in comatose status, flip on the TV to get an extra 1/2 hour sleep. We only have one TV in our house, its small, about 13 inches, and has no cable hookup. It sits in our bedroom so that the kids can watch TV with supervision. The only channels that come in clearly are few and far between. PBS is a very clear station and so I allow the kids to watch Curious George and Super Why. Dragon Tales and Sesame Street I'm still unsure of only because some of the things that they present are not necessarily what I want to indoctrinate my children with.
This morning's story on Super Why was about Princess Pea and her dad. She needed help tying her shoes and her father was too busy to help her. In the end, Princess Pea's friend helps her learn to tie them on her own. When her father comes out to help her, he realizes that she has learned to tie them herself and congratulates her, only Princess Pea completely ignores her father and walk out with her friend, Red. Seems innocent enough, right? So, why am I getting all fussed up about this you wonder? Well, when Princess Pea's father was unable to help her, she said something about how sad she was that her dad was too busy. Xavier said out loud, "My father's too busy for me".
My husband who was getting dressed for work, turns around and is shocked. If anything, my husband's schedule has afforded plenty of time for him to be home and play with the kids. Already this show has taught Xavier, "father's are too busy". I thought it also slipped in that the only people to trust are your "peers" and that it was alright to snub authority. It was all done so subtly that I was just in shock.
Super Why has really helped Xavier learn his alphabet and I have trusted this show for the last six months. There is so much subtlety in children's programming. Xavier used to watch alot of Bob the Builder, but my hubby and I both noticed that there were several episodes that had the main characters telling "white" lies and it was acceptable. Lying is not acceptable.
When Xavier asked why he couldn't watch Dragon Tales, I told him that the dragons were tricky. Now, when the commercial for that program comes on, he goes over to the TV and turns it off saying, "those tricky dragons". Some may think I'm over protective, but have you seen teenagers these days? My husband works with teenagers who struggle with alcohol and drug addictions. When they're in group therapy the most common ailment is lack of parental involvement in their lives. These kids have grown up mostly fending for themselves. They're peers have taught them their moral values and they have little respect for authority.
Our job as parents is to "train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it." Proverbs 22:6 (New International Version)
3 comments:
John-Thomas never watched Super Y and frequently thought Josh was too busy. There is truth to what you're saying, when those times come up when you here something disagreeable it is a good time to open communication and use it for a learning moment.
Yes, we did just that and told Xavi that Daddy was never too busy for him.
I know it's not too sensitive, but sometimes I am too busy for the boys and Elise. For example, their mother comes before them. Though I may not have time for them at the instant they desire it, I must make sure that they understand I love them no less.
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