We have TiVo. Actually, we have several TiVos. Okay, we have one in every room. And it’s not that we watch a lot of television, because we don’t. But once you’ve had TiVo, you cannot go back. You just cannot. I have no idea what stations correlate to what channels any more, or what day and time that programs are on. No joke. We get to watch what we want when we want.
But the real reason I’m loving those awesome little machines right now? Kids. Kids like to watch TV. And in our house? We let them. Not a lot. But, still. We are not one of those households who will proclaim, “TV? Children? Not in our home.” I grew up watching TV. So did my husband. And we are, I like to think, okay. We turned out okay. And besides, almost every show out now that is geared towards children has some redeeming educational value to it. It’s not the same old “Tom & Jerry” from my youth.
So it seems now that most of the programs scheduled on our TiVo are shows like “Caillou,” and the occasional “Sesame Street.” Oh, and let’s not forget “Dora the Explorer.” She is an integral part of Pea’s life right now. So much so that I know I’ve written passionately about Dora before. And so I was really excited when the editor of the Smart Television Alliance newsletter asked me if I’d be interested in writing a guest post about children’s programming. Of course, I was. And, as you can guess, it was about none other then my little friend “Dora…”
You should check out the Smart Television Alliance. I think it’s a great idea. I subscribe to the newsletter. I read the newsletter. I want to stay on top of what goes on in my home where television entertainment is concerned, and this is a great way to do it.
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Wow. OK, I’m one of the moms who still believes in no TV before 2 for my 1 year old. Some of you make it sound like a mom who doesn’t want her kid to watch TV is putting on airs. That seems like an unfair characterization.
I don’t judge my friends who let their under 2 year olds watch TV. Every parent needs to make the decisions they think are best for their kids. I’ve chosen not to let my son watch TV at this age. Am I stuck up because I don’t know who Moose and Zee are?
Great photo, and I’m glad you enjoy your Tivo. Maybe I need to look into getting one of those…
Truly, you crack me up! I love your view of tv as a casual babysitter and nothing to feel guilt over, we feel the same way. If I as a child tolerated the sexual tension among Handy Smurf and Smurfette I suspect my child will survive an occasional (ok, who am I kidding, DAILY) dose of the Wiggles.
Love your posts, keep it up!
Oh, this makes me so happy Melissa! I cannot tell you (although I guess I don’t even have to) about the guilt involved when my child sits there and rattles off something she learned on TV and leaves me to explain to another parent, when they innocently ask, “Where did she learn that?” It’s always good things, like counting and shapes and colors, but the moment they hear that the Moose and Zee taught her they turn up their noses and say, “Oh, well, I wouldn’t know about that. We don’t even own a television.” Well, laaaah deeeee daaaah.
There’s good and bad on television, just like there’s good and bad in anything else you could expose your child too. And TV can be fun. So thank you so much for sharing that.
P.S. As I was reading your blog my little one came up and pointed at the screen and shouted, “DORA!” So we’re in the same boat.
My house is the same as yours! I wouldn’t be able to get through the weekend w/out my Tivo since Bear’s FAVORITE show is only on TLC monday – friday!
And I am now eating humble pie, since I WAS one of those mothers who said “no TV watching before 2 years old!” Little did I know that Bear would LEARN something from watching, it gives me 10 minutes to do my hair in the morning and it helps him relax after an active day at daycare. I’m going to go check out that website right now!
I totally agree! Cannot, would not live without Tivo and OnDemand. PBS Sprout programming available at at all times? Priceless.
Nice article, Melissa. We subscribe to the local ‘family tier’ from our cable provider and have been very pleased with the networks they carry and the networks they don’t. One of our family favorites when we have a little down time (which doesn’t happen much these days now that all my children are school-aged) is the Food Network. Even my 5 year old loves to watch it!