Sometimes, I just want to toss it all
Categories: Development, That's entertainment
When it comes to pregnancy and parenting, I often find myself encouraging other women not to beat themselves up over things. If you want a coffee while pregnant, drink it. If your kid is begging for that second (or third) pudding cup and it has been a long day... go for it.And yet, sometimes, I find myself feeling so guilty about things. It is easy to say that I have a love hate relationship with technology. Love, obviously because I have blogged at my personal blog for four years. I write for Parent Dish. I read some blogs (though I really don't read too many anymore due to life/work) and have made many friends through the 'net. After four years of wanting, I finally got a TIVO for Christmas, something I never thought would happen.
But, at the same time, I hate technology. I hate how I see people walking around, talking on cell phones instead of the person they are with. I hate seeing parents with the iPod in their ears instead of paying any form of attention to the child in the basket at the grocery store. I hate the commercialization of childhood and how so many children end up sitting in front of the tube and computer. I hate how I've let my kids watch more television than I'd like to admit.
I don't think the television is bad. I think that sometimes it is okay to let a child watch TV. It is just so easy on those days when you're feeling tired or stressed to say "fine." I've made much more of an effort to get my daughter engaged in pretend play during the day. I love seeing her take all her "babies" and make them go down the "slide." I love to see her racing in the house.
Sometimes I dream about picking up the television and locking it in the closet. But, honestly, I don't think I can. Why? It is my security blanket. The TV is my backup. I am a wuss and I feel horribly guilty about it.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Lacy 7-16-2007 @ 1:15PM
You aren't alone. The TV is my back-up too.
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Ginny 7-16-2007 @ 1:35PM
"It is my security blanket. "
I hear ya. We are told that TV is evil. BUT, why not take advantage of it. Our fore"mothers" didn't have the luxury of being able to turn on a child's program and have the kids watch it while they prepared a meal. BUT, these days, preparing a meal (or doing laundry or cleaning the floors, etc.) takes so much less time than before. We still have lots of time to spend with the kids despite the fact that we encourage a little TV every now-and-then.
(My name is Ginny and I am guilty of encouraging my kids to watch TV every now-and-then!!!!)
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queenoqueens 7-16-2007 @ 1:43PM
And mine. I find it much less guilt-inducing if I restrict it to PBS (of course, with very basic cable, I have no choice).
I know that there is perhaps, at most, a 15 minute cry/bitch period that a child will go through if not allowed to watch TV and then it passes. So it should be easy to just say no to TV, but.....those 15 minutes can seem like an eternity on a tough day.
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caitlin 7-16-2007 @ 2:48PM
I would never get a meal in peace during the day if I couldn't put on Max and Ruby. I don't think it's a bad trade. For 20 minutes, I get to eat without "help" and recharge my patience. Having my food poked at and a toddler trying to climb all over me while I'm trying to eat just really really drives me up the wall, and it something that stresses me enough that I will be in a bad mood for the rest of the day. If someone wants to complain about my son watching tv, they can come over and give me a break to eat while they entertain my son.
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Rory Hinnen 7-16-2007 @ 7:50PM
One of the interesting things about tivo is that it can give you more control over which television programs you allow. If you need an excuse, use that one.
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