Musings on Media Exposure
I think about media exposure. I worry about it. How much is too much? At what point do you cross the line from “concerned mother” to “luddite wack job”?
I truly believe that the ideal amount of television is none. It rots your brain. It induces a frightening amount of passivity in the viewer and slows brain waves. Television viewing has been linked to lower scores on school achievement tests in California, and there are some tentative links between TV and the increase in A.D.D. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no television viewing at all before the age of 2 and we are following that recommendation.
So…what happens when they turn 2?
I know that we won’t let them watch much television, but how do I choose what videos and movies are “OK”? Do I preview every single thing I allow them to see? Assume that “Sesame Street” is acceptable? That a movie rated “G” won’t contain objectionable material? How about the massive merchandising tie-ins? Can a child see “Happy Feet” and NOT end up wanting the inevitable plastic made-in-China-by-a-thirteen-year-old toys?
Certainly, no one was ever harmed by NOT watching television, and most movies, even children’s movies, are utter crap. Though, is “sloppily made with no redeeming artistic merit and a stupid plot” a good reason to prevent a child from watching a movie?
Things to think about.
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November 20th, 2006 21:24
I think you think too much. Make whatever decisions you feel are necessary for the benefit of your children but in all actuality, not too many other people are going to care what you choose to do and won’t judge you for doing them. I don’t see the purpose in all of your ramblings about this, that and the other things that seem to have you preoccupied. Just do the best you can do with the tools that you were given and love those babies with everything you’ve got because that is the only thing that truly matters. Whether or not they get to watch Sesame Street is really a non issue. More pictures please and less editorials.
November 21st, 2006 08:27
Tough. These are issues for me, and I feel that they are important. If you don’t like it, don’t read the blog.
November 21st, 2006 10:38
Stacie, you’ll find a balance. Now, while they are so little, up until the time they REALLY start interacting with other children (pre-k, kindergarten) they will be perfectly happy without the idiot box. You are already instilling a love of books in them and that will take them much further. When they get a little older and friends are talking about favorite shows, you might do what my mother did…I picked the one 30 minute show I REALLY wanted to watch and that was it. Once I got into grade school, she relented a little for Saturday cartoons and a few family oriented sitcoms, but I was still always restricted to an hour. It kept me from feeling like a complete outsider when friends would talk about favorite characters, while making sure I spent most of my time learning how to entertain myself.
November 21st, 2006 20:01
Stacie,
Of course you took what I was trying to say and got nasty. I am not a well known pediatrician or author but someone who has been where you are. My comments are not meant to offend but to be taken in the same spirit in which they are offered which is from one mother to another. I was not trying to offend you but the moral of the comment posted earlier was enjoy the moment that you are in right now because it all goes by way too fast. Before you know it, your children will be in high school or college and not living at home. Don’t worry about the little things but live in the now. No, they don’t need to watch TV right now if that is what you choose. It is your job as a parent to make choices for your children but don’t lament over every little thing. You will drive yourself crazy. Take the time to enjoy the fact that you get double the smiles, double the kisses and double the proud moments. Trust your mothering instincts. They won’t let you down. All of the answers you need to be a good mother are not found in a book but inside of your heart. Don’t mold your children based on some statistic in a book. Make your choices for your children and watch your children blossom. Some of the best times with your children will be without any conscious effort or planning. Sit and read, say ABCs or play patty cake. There is no written gameplan for raising children. What works for one family may not work for another. Being able to adapt will be your best asset as a mother. The best laid plans or so the saying goes….
If you intend on showing this blog to your children someday, you might consider focusing on what a joy it was to be their mother instead of what a burden they are to you and how you “hate” being a stay at home mom. You have continuously portrayed your children as burdens but I hope you realize they are burdens that should be carried lightly and with a happy heart.
January 4th, 2007 01:16
Hey Stacie,
Well… some people think too much, others too little.
My gramma used to say,
“We grow too soon Oldt und too late schmart.”
As for TV, I have pals who are sticking with the “no TV” idea and their kids seem to be surviving this blatant omission in their young lives.
My own experience as a mom tells me that sometimes a good hour of kids TV means a) a nap for me, and b) a time of just blissfully vegging out for my kids. My younger daughter, Amy, is showing a lot of promise as perhaps a screen writer / film critic / etc. - she can relate back to you in detail the plot of virtually any movie she’s seen. (She’s three, so I guess it’s OK for her to watch TV now.)
She just loves it, and I have to admit, I love the naps I’ve had.
I’m sure there’s a balance to be struck, too, with parents who wish to have their OWN TV time and the kids are just around too. The need/desire of a parent who just wants to watch the news has to somehow balance with their own desire to not let their kids be exposed to just how awful the world can really be…
And then, again, there are also lots of parents out there who really don’t care whether their kids get ADD from watching TV because they feel it’s just WACKY to believe weird things like scientific studies from spurious organizations like the American Academy of Pediatrics — I mean really, those WackJobs actually want mothers to let their babies SUCK on their BREASTS. How weird is that.
Sorry for the overly long ranting.
Someone, please, get me my WackJob meds!
April 19th, 2007 06:46
gameboys 2007…
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