[echaos]

Of course with Thomas we now have saying like "Well Bust my Buffers"! and I think we own nearly every train.... and amazingly Liam can name them all!

[Kelli]

Spay, could be an illness or the fact that he has spineless parents who seem more concerned with "being his friend" then being his parent and guide. Little Rosie has more sense then them.

About Clifford . . . in the opening song there is a scene where he licks EmilyElizabeth in the face. My dd will imitate him and try to lick me. It's a game to her now and I know note by note when it's coming.

Kelli

[alwaysus]

I'm not as offended by swear words as I am the sex that is everywhere!
We went to Hardees for a soda the other day and they handed me cups with( for all intent and purposes) naked women on them. They were barely dressed in tiny bikinis and were in suggestive poses. I serious as a heart attack asked the cashier " Do you have any cups without bimbos on them?" The woman looked at me funny and I said " My teenaged boys will be drinking from these cups, I am very anti bimbo. Do you have any cups that portray women as something other than meat?' She laughed and said I was the only person to complain. I then told her that given the fact that the women looked positively aneroxic, they probably had never eaten a Hardees $6 burger. She did get me other cups.

We don't watch much TV. We have no cable and local channels don't come in where we live. My kids only watch things on video.

Lana

[spaypets]

Ok, if so many of us hate Caillou (poor kid), WHY is he on the air. That's it, next time I watch it, I will take note of what specifically bothers me and write to my local station. If all of us do that maybe they'll change it (or cancel it).

DD is a big Thomas fan. And JJ the Airplane.

[echaos]

Liam started to watch JJ the jetplane... but they weird me out.... no other way to explain it, but the animation makes their faces look like something you would see on an adult blow up doll !

[mamacrina]

LOL, Lana!!

In my family, cursing in front of, or to your elders is a sign of disrespect and a sure way to get in reaaaally big trouble.

Amen to that!

See, this thread and the toys without batteries thread seem to go hand in hand to me. Low amounts of tv, with high amounts of imagination-building playing and reading. I think as the world's standards continue to plummet, it will be my job as a parent to maintain our standards. I'm certainly not perfect and the occasional word slips past my lips. I'm really not proud of that. But I can teach my children that there are other ways of getting your point across to others. If that's un-hip, so be it! :0)

[MrsSmith]

Hey folks -

Okay, taking my very own thread off on a tanget now (figure since I started it, it doesn't count as hijacking it... ) and tying in to someone a PP said here, I just got back from a playdate at an area playground with one of Emma's best friends. (For the record, Martha - I think you were the one who asked about ages - Emma is almost 27 months, and her friend with whom we had the playdate this morning is 4 months older.) There were kids of all ages at the park, as well as a group of mentally challenged older teens/young adults from a nearby day program. Well, Em and her friend Macey were playing away, up and down the playground equipment, sliding on the slides, playing in the (admittedly nasty-looking but that's a whole other thread) sand, etc. All of a sudden I hear a stream of cursewords worthy of Tony Soprano himself raining down, and when I look up in total shock, I see that this particular Tony Jr. is a boy of possibly no more than 6 or 7!!! Fortunately Em and Macey were paying no attention, but neither were this kid's grown ups. Unfortunately, one of the young adults from the day program overheard this little boy, and began LOUDLY repeating various bits of his expletive-laden speech. VERY loudly. The worker with the group immediately tried to stop her by talking to her about how this was not appropriate language, and I quickly redirected Emma and Macey's attention away from the young woman - and Tony Jr. - but yanno, it kind of put a damper on the rest of our time at the park. It is just maddening to me that I have to on the lookout - or listen-out - for bad language at a kids' playground.

We haven't watched Calliou. Emma has seen Winnie the Pooh a few times and Clifford once or twice while at my sister's house (my nephew loves Clifford and Thomas), but she prefers the Clifford books to the show. Oh and she watched Peep once when we were at the car dealership getting an oil change, as some other kid that had gotten to the lounge before us had it on already. She seemed a bit intrigued at first, but then decided she'd rather read a book. Her friend Macey loves Between the Lions, though they've never watched it together. I'm perfectly content to continue on in a world where the only things on TV are Sesame Street and The Wiggles........ I remember once a few years before Em was born, I babysat for the then 3 yo daughter of some friends of ours, and she loved Rugrats (is that still on? I'm assuming so) and I was appalled at the language they used in this cartoon. Calling each other names and whatnot - it doesn't have to be swearing to be bad.

Yep, my name is Heather and I'm not just a member of the Unhip Parents Club, I'm the president!

Cheers!
Heather

[sneezyone]

Ya know, DH is military so we have a whole buncha friends that use colorful language in an offhand manner (often in front of their children). I don't really have a beef with it, they're not my kids. I just ask that they not do it in front of MY kids out of respect for me. As for that playdate...the fact that you have to explain that 6 or 7 year old's behavior is just plain appalling! I guess I'm a lot more old-school than I ever thought I'd be. My mom and grandma must be so proud.

I can see I need to get busy..."See Moe, that behavior over there, watch it closely...memorize those words, those deeds...'cause if I EVER catch you doin' it...I'm not sure what the punishment will be, but I can guarantee you won't like it!"

I'm crossing my fingers that some of these early lessons/speeches will sink in but I'm not holding out hope.

[juliehf]

Hi... My kids are restricted as well on their TV time. We watch alot of Baby Einstien (Little Einstien is being released next week!!!) I also allow them to watch Sesame Street, Wiggles (my hubby does the worlds best wiggle groove!!!) & Dora the Exlprorer. That is it!!!

I have Direct TV & I just found out how valuable the locks & limits are. I have just started to use them. My children do have a tv in their playroom and I do not allow them to watch anything over a "G" rating and the tv in living room & my bed room are set to not allow the nutity or "MA" ratings. I am Mormon & I have views that may be a little more conservative that some other people. I came home one day & noticed the new LOGO channel and was not happy my 2 yr. old did to. (I dont mean to offend anyone. It is just my personal belief and choose not to have it in my home.) That day I decided to use the locks & limits. I also have a problem with some shows like "nip/ tuck"

But... there is a great website that advocates for moms like us that feel that tv & society should be cleaned up. It keeps you informed of commercials (Hardee's commercials?!?!) and tv shows that are questionable. For anyone that is interested it is .... onemillionmoms.com.

Julie

[angelkisses0102]

Can I please hop on the 'ugh!!! Caillou' bandwagon...I usually sit with DD (4) when she is watching PBS kids...the only regular TV she watches...but I have to tell her lately that Mommy can't listen to Caillou whine any more...and I leave. (I can't stand that show!!! But she loves it!)

DS (2) does not really watch any TV yet or even videos...so can I please join the un hip mommies club too! Sometimes I think I am the only one who doesn't have the TV on...

And how unhip is this...we must have the closed captioning on at all times so she can learn more about words and reading! My poor babies!!

Of course...I did drop an swear word bomb a couple of months ago when I stubbed my toe in front of DD..yup...she said it at daycare soon thereafter!

[LisaCA]

red, I think you were the one who discussed how you went overboard- I think that's definitely a possibility. So I suspect that we'll have to lighten up later when dd is older. Dh was raised on no tv during the week and he is rather culturally deprived and totally pop culture clueless . we've discussed this and I think we'll do the no tv til homework is done, and a max of 2 hrs a day (say, in elementary school, ages 9 or so up to 7th grade). before that we'll set a max of one hour. This will give me time to brainwash dd, just like my mom did. At age 44, I can still hear her lectures in my head .

my mom was strict about some things (no cookies for example, just graham crackers and nasty ginger snaps and fig newtons, soooo not cookies) but permissive about others. for instance, I never had a curfew. My mom trusted that I would do my homework before going out (and I always did-such a nerd) and then I could stay out as long as she knew where I was and what I was up to. I'd call in all the time, just to give her a heads up and let her know roughly when I was due home. I liked to sleep so she never had to worry about me staying out all night, but I did stay out late on some occasions (like the night before the psat ). I felt that worked out well, we knew that there were consequences for our actions, but we were allowed to make a few mistakes. Mom let us watch tons of tv, but then again, I always did my homework and did well I might add. This didn't work well with my older sister and younger sister who needed more of a gun to their heads, so it will be interesting to see what dd needs. Until she's exposed to the real world I get to crack down (the power!). the game's up once she's off to school and exposed to the dreaded Wiggles, Fruit juice, fruit loops and count chocula, etc.

[redhedded]

my mom was strict about some things (no cookies for example, just graham crackers and nasty ginger snaps and fig newtons, soooo not cookies) but permissive about others. for instance, I never had a curfew.

I could have written this; my mom permitted no refined sugar, no "good" peanut butter and mostly no bleached flour products, but I also never had a curfew. My parents always said that if they had not taught me well by 13, it was too late. They trusted me implicitly (but I never got into trouble, broke their trust or took advantage).

We watched some television as older kids but weren't permitted much, but music (all kinds) was everpresent in our house. Funny, we DO become our mothers. I am the same way with dd. She has always watched some tv; the key for me is daily limit (about 30 minutes) of decent programming (went through Sesame Street, The Wiggles, Mr. Rogers and started at birth w/ Baby einstein; we did not watch passively but talked the entire time). Diet, I am fairly rigid about; she has an excellent diet, so I *gasp* on occasion let her have some root beer, which she loves. That was a big change for me, as I don't give her whole strength juice. I definitely think we alter our approach as they age.

I, too, detest Caillou; he IS so whiney. I allowed her to watch it once. Lucky for me, she would much rather watch The Iron Chef, another occasional indulgence on my part.

Heather, Sorry about the park experience with the cursing. I always chalk it up to, some of these kids have no guidance/encouragement/example to share, to respect, to respect others and their person or to be kind, why should their language be any different. We always have to walk away and have the "that was not really appropriate was it" discussion.

[Jensboys]

I had similar rules as above. No tv during the week (and we do the same, currently dh and I are discussing whether or not basic cable is about to enter our lives) and limited when it was. I still wont watch the Simpsons or American Dad because I find the humor often offensive and just plain rude. My kids watch videos, but we are careful with it, but not super strict. Food - well with one with a sugar allergy, and myself with a wheat allergy, we are fairly strict but again, not overboard.

Regarding cursing. I was at the park last week with my 4 boys and there were two unsupervised 8 or 9 year old boys there. Every second word started with an "F" and they referred to every little girl with a "B" word. After 20 minutes of this or so I marched over to them and said

"If your behavior does not change immediately, the police will be contacted to have you removed! Do you understand me?" they nodded and stammared uhhuh... but I continued ...

"Yes MAAM!" ... and they quite obediently replied "Yes Maam"

lol and then they left the park. Of couse, they are obviously only repeating what they hear, and what they think is ok. But I will NOT tolerate that in a public place (and when parents arent around).

Also, once, I went to a mall manager after complaining about a store that had life size towels hanging at its entrance of "cartoon" (but extremely life like) topless women. I had spoken to the manager of the store twice who was NOT interested in my concerns. However, by the time I left the mall that day, the store had been required to not only take down the towels, but remove a poster of Bart Simpson mooning someone and a toilet paper role holder that had a man bending over with his butt showing.

I sort of felt empowered on that day

Jen

[LisaCA]

funny, I watch nip/tuck because I like the dialog and the show, just not all the sex (tend to find something to do while they do their thing).

you all know i have a bit of a potty mouth, which I'm trying to work on (really I am!), but even I can be shocked. two things: I watched a Nanny 911 or something a few months ago with a group of little foul mouthed kids . I was appalled.

And I remember taking the bus back in grad school (I must have been in my mid 30s) and it was just after the jr high let out. so I'm on the bus surrounded by 7-9th graders , but what I remember are two boys, 7th graders (I asked) who had the worst dirty mouths I'd ever heard on anyone. Literally every other word was a swear word, in combinations too! I just sat there for 20 minutes in shock. I laugh about it now, but really it was quite gross. As someone who's mom wouldn't let her say "stink" "butt" or even "so"(it was the tone thing), i'm amazed at what I hear and see.

and the sex stuff: if it were part of a loving relationship where the folks actually took the time to know each other's name, that would be fine with me (assuming dd was a little older). it's the disrespectful way people treat each other on tv, particularly around sexual situations, that offends me. I wasn't big on it when I was a teen, and I'm not big on it now. my sis always laughed when I talked like such a prude, but hey, it worked for me! I think that's why when I travel to egypt i'm very comfortable with the social mores there, and I slip right into the country feeling just fine. btw, I watched the bold and the beautiful there last time, and they show one weeks worth in one evening: they take 5 hours of soap opera, cut out all the sex, and discussions about inappropriate relationships, and you then have a 1 hr show-I kid you not. Interesting to try and follow the plot lines with so much missing...dh says it takes about 3 weeks of deprogramming to get his wife back .

bikinis on kids: dd has one, but just because it's hilarious! I mean, what a figure! if you wore that with her shape, you'd end up on glamour magazine's glamour don'ts! same with her mini skirts-her legs are a riot!

[mamacrina]

bikinis on kids: dd has one, but just because it's hilarious! I mean, what a figure! if you wore that with her shape, you'd end up on glamour magazine's glamour don'ts! same with her mini skirts-her legs are a riot!

Ya know, it's kids prior to school age that I find cute in mini skirts and bikinis. After that, one pieces and to the knee skirts seem more appropriate. I guess I'm old school too...I sound just like my mom.