Re: [UnschoolingDiscussion] TV programming was Re: Gilligan's Li
Judie C. Rall
<<Just curious, how many of you don't limit quantity TV watching, but put limits on types of programming? Would love to hear some varying opinions on that subject...>>
We have never limited our boys television watching in any way. They
can watch whatever they want, when they want, and they always have.
We talk about everything we see on there, and have found it to be
invaluable for introducing topics of conversation which might
otherwise be awkward to introduce.
For instance, this week we watched that new Lifetime Movie, "Sex and
the Single Mom." We talked about the double standard, about how the
mom wanted to have sex but didn't think her daughter was responsible
enough.
We watch Fox News and talk incessantly about political topics, which
not only keep our kids informed about world events, but introduce
many conversations about right and wrong and about how that is a
matter of opinion, and who decides what is considered right?
They also freely choose to watch the Discovery Channel a lot, or
National Geographic. But they just as often choose MTV or a slasher
movie.
I don't worry about what they watch because:
A. I remember how much TV I watched as a child (which was a lot) and
how it didn't warp me, even though no one EVER discussed with me
anything I saw on TV.
B. We are always here to discuss with them anything that was in the
show that needs discussing, if they are concerned about it.
They are smart kids, they can see right through the people who make
these shows. They know what the agenda is, and can enjoy the show
for what it is.
Judie
Catch my Ebay Auctions!
http://www.unhinderedliving.com/ebaypage.html
We have never limited our boys television watching in any way. They
can watch whatever they want, when they want, and they always have.
We talk about everything we see on there, and have found it to be
invaluable for introducing topics of conversation which might
otherwise be awkward to introduce.
For instance, this week we watched that new Lifetime Movie, "Sex and
the Single Mom." We talked about the double standard, about how the
mom wanted to have sex but didn't think her daughter was responsible
enough.
We watch Fox News and talk incessantly about political topics, which
not only keep our kids informed about world events, but introduce
many conversations about right and wrong and about how that is a
matter of opinion, and who decides what is considered right?
They also freely choose to watch the Discovery Channel a lot, or
National Geographic. But they just as often choose MTV or a slasher
movie.
I don't worry about what they watch because:
A. I remember how much TV I watched as a child (which was a lot) and
how it didn't warp me, even though no one EVER discussed with me
anything I saw on TV.
B. We are always here to discuss with them anything that was in the
show that needs discussing, if they are concerned about it.
They are smart kids, they can see right through the people who make
these shows. They know what the agenda is, and can enjoy the show
for what it is.
Judie
Catch my Ebay Auctions!
http://www.unhinderedliving.com/ebaypage.html
24hrmom
<<Just curious, how many of you don't limit quantity TV watching, but put limits on types of programming? Would love to hear some varying opinions on that subject...>>
I have never overtly limited types of programming, though I have been known not to put on a particular show when the kids were around (mostly violent shows since I know they are sensitive to that). My kids seem to limit themselves all on their own. Whenever we had an "adult-type" show on and the kids walked in, they would ask us to please change the channel. When they turned on the TV and asked what was on, I would go through the kids programming channels and they would choose from those, nothing else interested them.
I spend lots of time watching the shows with them so we can talk about them and I understand the characters etc. when they talk about their favourite shows. I remember when my eldest was around 5 he asked to watch Power Rangers (I don't know if it's still popular). I had heard some negative things about it so I just made sure to watch it with him and we had a quick talk about the fighting scenes, how it was acting etc. and that was fine. I remember explaining to his school principal (he was at school until grade 4) all the cool things my son was learning from watching Pokemon, which of course he had no clue since he didn't watch it, even though it was insanely popular with the kids.
I do remember that when I was first married and pregnant with my first child I swore to my husband as we were watching The Simpsons that no kid of mine was watching that show until he/she was 20! LOL!! He loves to remind about that now. When my kids were younger they had never heard of the show, no interest, I didn't put it on etc. so it never came up as an issue but, because of the conversations on this list over the past year I've been on it, I put The Simpsons on a couple of months ago while everyone was around and now the whole family is hooked! We have satellite and a digital recorder so we get 4 or 5 new shows recorded every day. My eldest walks around quoting entire scenes, we have so many interesting conversations based on tidbits from the shows, and it has lead to MANY connections. For example, there was a show called "Weekend at Mr. Burns", with a take on the movie "Weekend at Bernie's" which ended up being on a couple of days later so we watched it! My husband and I will make very quick mentions of all the connections we see and the kids often pursue them. My daughter is asking for full version of one of the songs they use pretty regularly on the show - Close To You (by The Carpenters I think). I found an old Simpsons CD my husband had from before we were married and my daughter has claimed it now. The kids think that The Simpsons writers are the greatest! I also found out that J.K. Rowling is doing a show for the new season and we're all looking forward to that (another great connection with their love of Harry Potter).
Anyway, I have found my kids naturally limit themselves to their interests and whatever scare/thrill factor they can take. Pretty often my youngest, who's 6, will drag me out of the TV room to go do something else when a movie is on he doesn't want to watch, even if I do and he's welcome to stay (Lord of the Rings, Kangaroo Jack, and Chronicles of Narnia come to mind). And I've learned that if they're interested, they're learning something from it!
Pam L
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
I have never overtly limited types of programming, though I have been known not to put on a particular show when the kids were around (mostly violent shows since I know they are sensitive to that). My kids seem to limit themselves all on their own. Whenever we had an "adult-type" show on and the kids walked in, they would ask us to please change the channel. When they turned on the TV and asked what was on, I would go through the kids programming channels and they would choose from those, nothing else interested them.
I spend lots of time watching the shows with them so we can talk about them and I understand the characters etc. when they talk about their favourite shows. I remember when my eldest was around 5 he asked to watch Power Rangers (I don't know if it's still popular). I had heard some negative things about it so I just made sure to watch it with him and we had a quick talk about the fighting scenes, how it was acting etc. and that was fine. I remember explaining to his school principal (he was at school until grade 4) all the cool things my son was learning from watching Pokemon, which of course he had no clue since he didn't watch it, even though it was insanely popular with the kids.
I do remember that when I was first married and pregnant with my first child I swore to my husband as we were watching The Simpsons that no kid of mine was watching that show until he/she was 20! LOL!! He loves to remind about that now. When my kids were younger they had never heard of the show, no interest, I didn't put it on etc. so it never came up as an issue but, because of the conversations on this list over the past year I've been on it, I put The Simpsons on a couple of months ago while everyone was around and now the whole family is hooked! We have satellite and a digital recorder so we get 4 or 5 new shows recorded every day. My eldest walks around quoting entire scenes, we have so many interesting conversations based on tidbits from the shows, and it has lead to MANY connections. For example, there was a show called "Weekend at Mr. Burns", with a take on the movie "Weekend at Bernie's" which ended up being on a couple of days later so we watched it! My husband and I will make very quick mentions of all the connections we see and the kids often pursue them. My daughter is asking for full version of one of the songs they use pretty regularly on the show - Close To You (by The Carpenters I think). I found an old Simpsons CD my husband had from before we were married and my daughter has claimed it now. The kids think that The Simpsons writers are the greatest! I also found out that J.K. Rowling is doing a show for the new season and we're all looking forward to that (another great connection with their love of Harry Potter).
Anyway, I have found my kids naturally limit themselves to their interests and whatever scare/thrill factor they can take. Pretty often my youngest, who's 6, will drag me out of the TV room to go do something else when a movie is on he doesn't want to watch, even if I do and he's welcome to stay (Lord of the Rings, Kangaroo Jack, and Chronicles of Narnia come to mind). And I've learned that if they're interested, they're learning something from it!
Pam L
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Wendy Usher-Peigan
<<Just curious, how many of you don't limit quantity TV watching, but put limits on types of programming? Would love to hear some varying opinions on that subject...>>
We don't limit much. Porn is off limits, as is gratuitous, realistic violence ("Goodfellas", "American History X" are examples of movies we deem inappropriate: The Sopranos would be a TV show in the "forbidden" category). Mind you, my kids have never asked to watch them, or that type of show. I don't like them watching MTV or what have you, because of the objectification of women, but I try hard not to censor that, and I have discussions with them about the inappropriateness of some of the videos. They seem to understand that my problem is not so much with the shows or videos themselves, rather the tendency to idolize the actors/ performers in them. I like Eminem, but I don't think he's an appropriate role model for my children, kwim?
Wendy
"The sheeplike tendency of human society soon makes inroads on a child's unsophistications, and then popular education completes the dastardly work with its systematic formulas, and away goes the individual, hurtling through space into that hateful oblivion of mediocrity. We are pruned into stumps, one resembling another, without character or grace." --- NC Wyeth, father of Andrew Wyeth, Artist/Painter, who was home educated.
Wendy Usher
PartyLite Consultant
wendy.au@...
and Avon sales Leader
wendy.usher@...
Visit me at www.interavon.ca/wendy.usher
We don't limit much. Porn is off limits, as is gratuitous, realistic violence ("Goodfellas", "American History X" are examples of movies we deem inappropriate: The Sopranos would be a TV show in the "forbidden" category). Mind you, my kids have never asked to watch them, or that type of show. I don't like them watching MTV or what have you, because of the objectification of women, but I try hard not to censor that, and I have discussions with them about the inappropriateness of some of the videos. They seem to understand that my problem is not so much with the shows or videos themselves, rather the tendency to idolize the actors/ performers in them. I like Eminem, but I don't think he's an appropriate role model for my children, kwim?
Wendy
"The sheeplike tendency of human society soon makes inroads on a child's unsophistications, and then popular education completes the dastardly work with its systematic formulas, and away goes the individual, hurtling through space into that hateful oblivion of mediocrity. We are pruned into stumps, one resembling another, without character or grace." --- NC Wyeth, father of Andrew Wyeth, Artist/Painter, who was home educated.
Wendy Usher
PartyLite Consultant
wendy.au@...
and Avon sales Leader
wendy.usher@...
Visit me at www.interavon.ca/wendy.usher
----- Original Message -----
From: 24hrmom
To: [email protected]
Sent: Wednesday, September 10, 2003 11:22 AM
Subject: [UnschoolingDiscussion] TV programming was Re: Gilligan's Link
<<Just curious, how many of you don't limit quantity TV watching, but put limits on types of programming? Would love to hear some varying opinions on that subject...>>
I have never overtly limited types of programming, though I have been known not to put on a particular show when the kids were around (mostly violent shows since I know they are sensitive to that). My kids seem to limit themselves all on their own. Whenever we had an "adult-type" show on and the kids walked in, they would ask us to please change the channel. When they turned on the TV and asked what was on, I would go through the kids programming channels and they would choose from those, nothing else interested them.
I spend lots of time watching the shows with them so we can talk about them and I understand the characters etc. when they talk about their favourite shows. I remember when my eldest was around 5 he asked to watch Power Rangers (I don't know if it's still popular). I had heard some negative things about it so I just made sure to watch it with him and we had a quick talk about the fighting scenes, how it was acting etc. and that was fine. I remember explaining to his school principal (he was at school until grade 4) all the cool things my son was learning from watching Pokemon, which of course he had no clue since he didn't watch it, even though it was insanely popular with the kids.
I do remember that when I was first married and pregnant with my first child I swore to my husband as we were watching The Simpsons that no kid of mine was watching that show until he/she was 20! LOL!! He loves to remind about that now. When my kids were younger they had never heard of the show, no interest, I didn't put it on etc. so it never came up as an issue but, because of the conversations on this list over the past year I've been on it, I put The Simpsons on a couple of months ago while everyone was around and now the whole family is hooked! We have satellite and a digital recorder so we get 4 or 5 new shows recorded every day. My eldest walks around quoting entire scenes, we have so many interesting conversations based on tidbits from the shows, and it has lead to MANY connections. For example, there was a show called "Weekend at Mr. Burns", with a take on the movie "Weekend at Bernie's" which ended up being on a couple
Anyway, I have found my kids naturally limit themselves to their interests and whatever scare/thrill factor they can take. Pretty often my youngest, who's 6, will drag me out of the TV room to go do something else when a movie is on he doesn't want to watch, even if I do and he's welcome to stay (Lord of the Rings, Kangaroo Jack, and Chronicles of Narnia come to mind). And I've learned that if they're interested, they're learning something from it!
Pam L
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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In a message dated 9/10/03 02:02:49 PM Central Daylight Time,
adonai@... writes:
<<Just curious, how many of you don't limit quantity TV watching, but put
limits on types of programming? Would love to hear some varying opinions on that
subject...>>
We have never limited our boys television watching in any way. They
can watch whatever they want, when they want, and they always have.
We talk about everything we see on there, and have found it to be
invaluable for introducing topics of conversation which might
otherwise be awkward to introduce.
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
We don't limit either, my kids are pretty good at regulating themselves. I
really hate the argument that if you don't limit what kids watch they will go
all out and watch porn and violent movies all the time. That is so very untrue!
I don't know one young child who would do that, things like that don't
interest them. What six year old is going to want to watch things like that? Maybe it
might be an issue with older kids, but Sandra has said often enough that she
doesn't have problems with her boys doing that, and that if they do express
interest in sex related themes on the computer, TV, movies, magazines, books
that she has spoken with them that they respect others in the house and keep it
to themselves. How much more healthy can you get than that? I think that kids
watch TV programs and movies based on their interests. When mine were younger
they watched things like Barney (who I can't stand, but hey whatever!
<g>)Tellytubbies, Rollie Pollie Ollie, Out of the Box, Sesame Street... things like
that. Now they watch Disney movies, Sponge Bob, G Gundum (sp?), Moly likes some
of the "teen" Nick and "teen" Disney shows, that are really for preteens.
If Darin and I want to watch a movie that we think may have things in it that
wouldn't be appropriate for kids our kids ages, we wait until they are in
bed. Nuf said!! The other day I was watching a movie called Bobbie's Girl (I
think that is what it was called) about two lesbians and one had inherited her
nephew after his parents died, and then she discovered she had breast cancer. It
was a wonderful movie. Moly watched most of it with me. (she came in about 30
minutes into it) She asked me all sorts of questions about what it means to be
a lesbian. I was so glad she saw this movie that portrayed women as a family
in such a light. There was no sex, there were some tender intimate moments. It
showed the women owning their own business, raising a child, dealing with
cancer, just like any other family. It didn't show lesbianism as just some
fantasy for men to get their kicks. I was so happy because Moly had lots of
questions. And I was glad that her first view of a family different from hers was
shown in such a way. So I don't limit, I watch with my kids, I talk to them, I
respect their emotional development and keep things I want to see for later. And
so far it has worked.
~Nancy
He felt that his whole life was some kind of dream and he sometimes wondered
whose it was and whether they were enjoying it.
Douglas Adams
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
adonai@... writes:
<<Just curious, how many of you don't limit quantity TV watching, but put
limits on types of programming? Would love to hear some varying opinions on that
subject...>>
We have never limited our boys television watching in any way. They
can watch whatever they want, when they want, and they always have.
We talk about everything we see on there, and have found it to be
invaluable for introducing topics of conversation which might
otherwise be awkward to introduce.
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
We don't limit either, my kids are pretty good at regulating themselves. I
really hate the argument that if you don't limit what kids watch they will go
all out and watch porn and violent movies all the time. That is so very untrue!
I don't know one young child who would do that, things like that don't
interest them. What six year old is going to want to watch things like that? Maybe it
might be an issue with older kids, but Sandra has said often enough that she
doesn't have problems with her boys doing that, and that if they do express
interest in sex related themes on the computer, TV, movies, magazines, books
that she has spoken with them that they respect others in the house and keep it
to themselves. How much more healthy can you get than that? I think that kids
watch TV programs and movies based on their interests. When mine were younger
they watched things like Barney (who I can't stand, but hey whatever!
<g>)Tellytubbies, Rollie Pollie Ollie, Out of the Box, Sesame Street... things like
that. Now they watch Disney movies, Sponge Bob, G Gundum (sp?), Moly likes some
of the "teen" Nick and "teen" Disney shows, that are really for preteens.
If Darin and I want to watch a movie that we think may have things in it that
wouldn't be appropriate for kids our kids ages, we wait until they are in
bed. Nuf said!! The other day I was watching a movie called Bobbie's Girl (I
think that is what it was called) about two lesbians and one had inherited her
nephew after his parents died, and then she discovered she had breast cancer. It
was a wonderful movie. Moly watched most of it with me. (she came in about 30
minutes into it) She asked me all sorts of questions about what it means to be
a lesbian. I was so glad she saw this movie that portrayed women as a family
in such a light. There was no sex, there were some tender intimate moments. It
showed the women owning their own business, raising a child, dealing with
cancer, just like any other family. It didn't show lesbianism as just some
fantasy for men to get their kicks. I was so happy because Moly had lots of
questions. And I was glad that her first view of a family different from hers was
shown in such a way. So I don't limit, I watch with my kids, I talk to them, I
respect their emotional development and keep things I want to see for later. And
so far it has worked.
~Nancy
He felt that his whole life was some kind of dream and he sometimes wondered
whose it was and whether they were enjoying it.
Douglas Adams
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]