Do you watch what they watch?

[Linnis]

Last year when my nephew lived with me, I got up the first morning and actually paid attention to what the shows were about and I was kind of shocked. My nephew had been having nightmeres about devil possed objects. I asked him where he got an idea like that from, turned out that's the basic story line of The Grim adventures of Billy and Mandy so I forbid him from watching it. Last year I watched most of the other shows and except for some of the more stupid and disgusting humor from spongebob I was okay with it.

I have seen 3 episodes of Fairly odd Parents this week and in every episode at some point, the Dad's suit is ripped off to reveil either a dress or women's underwear, where he gets really embrassed and sends the kid to his room for noticing his Dad's in women's cloths. My nephew's seven and has asked me why Timmy's dad has girls cloths on....

What do I tell him? I've been telling him for years, TV land is fake mostly everything you see on TV is fake as in not real, just actors and computers making things look real etc

My husband thinks we should not let him watch cable and he can pick 2 or 3 videos we've got for him to watch...disney movies or this cartoon series with a biblical message in each episode instead of cable.

Thoughts?

 

[lucypevensie]

I've watched the shows my kids like to turn on. If I haven't seen the show then I have them turn it off. I've had to explain to my own kids that just because it's a cartoon does not mean it's made for kids. There are many cartoons that are really for adults, and there are some that no one should ever watch.

You could sit with your nephew and help him to discern what is a good show and what is not.

 

[andiesmama]

It's the Fairly ODD Parents...and I admit, that one is a little bit weird, Andie watches it sometimes, and she also watches SpongeBob sometimes, as a treat.

More often than not we stick with Noggin and NickJr for her telivision shows...stuff like Dora, Blue's Clues, Backyardigans, etc. All those shows are in my opinion great because they actually are teaching her stuff.

Videos, she has a couple Veggie Tales ones as well as a couple Disney ones...we just bought her Tarzan II tonight and it's so cute!!

 

[Joykins]

The only TVs in the house are in the living room. We can't avoid being aware of what they watch because our house is small. Our entertainment system is so complex (it doubles as a CD production unit for the record label we run) it is hard for them to watch anything without having us set it up for them.

 

[Silent Enigma]

My husband thinks we should not let him watch cable and he can pick 2 or 3 videos we've got for him to watch...disney movies or this cartoon series with a biblical message in each episode instead of cable.

Your husband sounds wise.

 

[Leanna]

Yes, I will watch what my kids watch. Just like I will read what they read as covered in the Harry Potter thread. Right now tho its N/A because David is too young for TV. However just in the last week I have started putting him in the playpen and turning on "baby einstein" long enough for me to get a shower. Other than that, no TV. We will be doing all videos probably because no commercials and I can control when they start and end which is helpful for many reasons.

 

[frankincense]

We let the kids on Noggin, because we approve most of those shows. I love Sesame, Franklin, Dora, Blues Clues, Little Bear. We also allw videos.

Fairy Odd Parents and Sponge Bob (and most Nick shows) are banned from my house. Of course, my kids are young- 7 and under. My 4 yo watched Odd Parents once and said "mom, this is stupid" I was so proud.

 

[CarrieAg93]

We don't have cable so all they have is PBS and some Nick Jr. shows on Sat. mornings. We have problems with my MIL letting them watch stuff. She thinks that because it's a cartoon it'll be ok.

 

[kingzjewel]

i watch everything he watches...and i mean everything! unless he is not around me like at grandma's house. i try to let them know what i dont like him to watch, too. there is just too much demonic stuff out there to allow it to affect your child if you can help it.

 

[Princessperky]

I see everything they see, occasionally I trust that veggie tales or whatever, is not a problem if we have a new video, but generally I like to be there with them to talk about the show, talk about what I liked or didn't like or how the problem could have been avoided (put stuff away then you wont be serching for it, etc.) I do the same with books, many a book is interupted with me asking if the character should have done that/what could they do better.

On the Odd parents I would say the creator must think it is funny, but I don't. Why on earth would dude want to look like a girl? Or feel like one? Guys get to stand to pee, girls get to carry babies. Life works out.

And I am with the DH, I have no cable for a reason .