Elmo = Kids' Crack
We all know the saying “crack kills,” so what danger does Elmo really pose for the Little Dude? As a general practice, we don’t allow our son to watch television. We’ve made this choice not because we’re anti-media (although the commercial nature is a HUGE con) but because we want to encourage active rather than passive learning. However, despite our efforts to keep the kid off TV, he’s nevertheless fallen for Elmo. All it took was the gift of Elmo’s Big Lift-and-Look Book from Grandma and he was hooked. He’s literally obsessed with the big-eyed, furry monster with the, eh, sweet voice (I’m undecided if saying “Mr. Noodo” is endearing or irksome). No matter, the Little Dude L-O-V-E-S loves him and I hear from other moms that their wee ones are similarly captivated.
All this is to say, or rather ask, what does Sesame Street know that I don’t know? Did they know Elmo would be instantly addicting kids’ crack that for sure creates little consumers? And if Elmo has this much pull without television, am I doomed when we allow the Little Dude to watch shows? This sadly might be the case since my husband and I are admitted TV and movie junkies (perhaps it runs in the blood), but we limit our time in front of the boob tube until after the Little Dude is off to dreamland.
Hmmm….
When did/do you let your children watch TV? How do you limit exposure or do you?
Elmo and the Potty: Enjoying the Royal Treatment
~ The Other Sarah
5 Comments
Reader Comments (5)
So the same momma who wouldn't let her son watch TV until he was two, now let's him watch an hour of Sesame Street A DAY so that she can extend uptime and keep her very loud toddler from waking her baby. -SSH
I guess I missed the important study that showed babies watching tv is a no no. Ooops. We watch cat in the hat, super readers, and dinosaur train all before we get out of bed in the morning!!! I need to do some major adjusting :/ darn, just when I had learned all the words to the songs.
Jennifter, don't beat yourself up over allowing the kids to watch TV. I'm sure if it's balanced with a healthy dose of other activities, such as running around outdoors, you're good to go. In fact, I know you're good to go—I turned out better than fine and I can tell you I watched a TON of Care Bears and Sesame Street as a toddler (maybe a few episodes of Love Boat, too).
I'm lucky that my son generally hasn't shown any interest in TV (but I'm sure that would change if we played Elmo), so it's been easy to follow through with my goal of no TV before three. I emphasize goal, however, because it's something I strive for but don't stress out about because I'm well aware that he may watch TV at a friend's or his grandma's house or if I was ever sick and I didn't have another caretaker for the day. If you're interested in alternatives to TV time, check out Janet Lansbury's http://www.janetlansbury.com/2010/07/a-creative-alternative-to-baby-tv-time/" rel="nofollow">suggestions.
My 20-month-old girls have never "watched" tv (or shown any interest in it) but there may or may not be a "Real Housewives" episode or two going on in the background on occasion while they are playing in the living room...
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