Thursday, October 2, 2008

BabyTV and Life as I Know It...Out on a Limb!

Not too long ago, the brave Brandi of Life as I Know It (formerly Best Family Diaries) invited me to be a guest poster on her blog.

Emboldened by politicians taking stands, or perhaps irritated by them not doing so, I decided to pick a controversial topic: my advocacy of TV for kids.

The good people of BabyTV have picked up the perspective as their feature this week. (It IS Breast Cancer Awareness Month...and it IS about the "boob tube"...gotta respect their connections!)

What?!? I recommend TV viewing for children? Go read the piece ...and feel free to leave a comment, argument or maybe, just maybe even a note of agreement. (If you're really fired up about it, come back here and let me know your thoughts.) While you're hopping the web, go over and check out Brandi's redesigned blog, it's beautiful.

Gotta run, I've got television to watch....
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10 comments:

Laura said...

TV is fun.
TV can be very educational..great info and stories about every subject imaginable.
Some TV is fodder for trouble.
Some TV can turn brains to mush.
And what do I say about that?
Change the channel or turn it off.
From my TV watching household to yours...Have a great day.

Donna said...

Yay - I read that piece when you first it. I enjoyed it, agreed with it - and will go tell those other kind folks my opinion!

In the meantinme, I hope you don't mind a little flattery being thrown your way by my telling you that one day I hope to grow up (or grow down as I do not know which one of us saw the Earth's sun first) and be just like you!

Nancy said...

I didn't see a place to comment over there, so I'm back here to let you know that I went over there too *grin*

Loved this one the first time around, still rings true today.

-- A fellow TV watcher who now also lets her kids see some Boomerang shows.

MereCat said...

I loved your article! LOVED IT. I never really understood what the big deal is about watching appropriate TV programming. Just like you said, the world is chock full 'o stuff that only things like the TV can really explain well. And the conversations that you can have about what you see are endless opportunities.

Rachael Schirano \\ Rachael Schirano Photography said...

that is a great article cheryl! well written and well informed, it really did provide a wonderful explanation as to why so-called bad things aren't always bad for you! tv in moderation is, for us, the best way to go! although we really haven't exposed the peaches to much tv yet, their future is certain to include it!

Claremont First Ward said...

I agree with you. I think there is nothing wrong with exposing your children to programs that are made specifically for them in mind....monitoring is essential.

Brandi said...

Thank you Cheryl! Brave is not one word that pops to mind when I think of myself. I am touched that you would link to me when you could've taken the credit...cuz Lord knows I had nothing to do with what you wrote. Just let you have free reign. Which I hope to have you guest again soon. Now must go check out the write up on you.

Unknown said...

Great article...from one tv fan to another :) Although, Katie is perfectly happy to be told that the Daily Show is the news and loves the robots on Futurama when mommy and daddy just can't take Dora/Diego ONE more time...so comedy central isn't all bad :)(I do try to keep South Park off when she's up though). Honestly, seems opposite of what "they" say, but Katie's speech had improved DRAMATICALLY since she's gotten hooked on Dora and Diego.

Katie said...

Great article, Cheryl - thanks for sharing!! I wholeheartedly agree. As long as parents choose the appropriate shows, as well as the appropriate amount of time that the TV is on per day, TV can be educational! My girls are 15 months old, and I've started to set parameters for us as well (No Spongebob or other mindless cartoons, yes to Sesame Street, Dora, and Baby Einstein). But for the record, Dora drives me crazy. After witnessing one of my daughters make the sign for "more" for the first time, without ever being taught that by me - and then coming to the realization that she learned it from Baby Einstein Sign Language DVD - I'm fully in support of educational programming.

I'm in total agreement about Caillou - but has anyone watched it lately? I think they changed his voice - it's less whiny now! (But still full of tantrums and complaints...)

Katie said...
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