Comments on: I guess that’s why they call parenting selfless

By: Kevin

Kevin — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 04:42:58 +0000

I don’t think TV is that bad, but it’s what you watch. But you are totally right that playing with your kid is way better then having the TV babsit them. Joan Ganz Cooley, the founder of Children’s Television Workshop, used to say, ‘I can give you two hours of good television a day.’ She was referring to Sesame Street and Mister Rogers Neighborhood. It’s sad that cartoons are all the rage, and parents don’t want to show kids real people (or puppets), sharing and explaining feelings and important things that can help child development.

“We were saying when we started that we were interested in the cognitive development of children, primarily. Letters, numbers, preparing them for school. I think Fred would have said is that he is interested in the affective development of children. The psychological and emotional development of children. So we saw us as operating in more in two different spheres. So I think the two shows in some ways are closer, but still extremely complimentary. And children deserve those two shows.”

Joan Ganz Cooney – Founder of Children’s Television Workshop (Sesame Street)

If you’re worried about television for your kids, contact your local PBS and ask them to also air Mister Rogers daily. Show them stuff that makes them a better person.

http://www.savemisterrogers.com

By: Karly

Karly — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 03:42:34 +0000

I watched “Sesame Street” and a few other programs pretty regularly when I was a kid and I turned out OK. Right? I think if letting her watch a little TV makes you more relaxed, she’ll benefit from that more than a little TV will hurt her. I can’t wait for “Desperate Housewives” either. I’m curious about the flash forward!

By: Erin

Erin — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 01:05:58 +0000

That is good to know Misty. It does seem to me like moderation – and the right shows are key!

By: Misty

Misty — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 17:54:50 +0000

I too struggle with this dilema. I will say, now that Jake is in school, we don’t watch any before school (because they watch and don’t get ready) and with activities and things, he doesn’t have time to watch shows. So on the weekends we are a little more lax on how much time. Riley watches a little more in the morning because he isn’t in school and it allows me to take a shower, or get something done. So I think it’ll work itself out, don’t stress too much.