[email protected]

In a message dated 10/7/03 9:26:52 PM, arcarpenter@... writes:

<< My question -- do most of you have no
restrictions as far as age-appropriateness and/or time spent watching TV? >>

I'm just speaking for myself, not most of the list.

We don't have cable, so some people pooh-pooh my personal answer, but we
don't restrict.

Kids pretty well self-restrict. They don't like to watch stuff they think is
boring or scary, and they're all busy kids. When they were littler lots of
stuff was boring. Too much talking or romance, and they had no interest.

They can watch all they want. We find that's not so much as most people
would guess.

Holly's watching The Simpsons (waiting for it to start, rather, after the
game, and after the news). Kirby and Marty are playing video games with guests.
Keith's probably watching the weather and will turn it off at 10:20 and go to
sleep. I watched half an episode of That 70's Show, with Holly, but that was
my personal total today.

<<And
do you have concerns about the corporate/advertising influence on your kids
-- >>

No. They're smart and analytical.

<<I think I can work toward trusting him,
knowing he will choose content that he finds compelling and therefore is not
"trash" (even Power Rangers -- that's a new one for us and my ex-teacher self
is
silently struggling with that), but are there any pitfalls with that attitude
that I need to be aware of? >>

The pitfall is the possibility of your thinking that you'll know what's
"trash," or thinking there are "trash" things from which your child would learn
nothing at all.

Holly and Marty both sometimes watch a kind of odious late-night game show
called Street Smarts. I told them I thought it was awful, that they are betting
on who will be more stupid. They both fell over the other explaining to me
what was cool about it, and they were right! Everything they said made sense.
I got it.

They both sometimes watch Jerry Springer. It embarrasses me because I have
many poor southern relatives and I hate to think of the similarities. But
that's my personal problem. <g> They see it in several different ways, and have
discussed why people would be the way they are. They don't think those people
are typical or sensible. We've talked about how lacking some people are in
the most basic of social skills and awarenesses, and what might help them be
better and that show is one of the most fascinating labs for what lack of
interpersonal intelligence can lead to.

I don't personally like courtroom shows, but years ago, when I was a kid, I
really did.
When I was little I remember watching Queen for a Day. They would give
refrigerator or a washing machine to the contestant with the most pitiable story
of poverty and loss. The rest maybe went home with a home game or some
Rice-a-Roni, I don't remember.

I used to watch The Price is Right all through my childhood, and it didn't
scar me at all. I learned what cars and boats and nice furniture cost. I
started learning odds and strategies for the various math games they had.

My Gilligan's Island stream of consciousness is here:

http://sandradodd.com/tv

so I'm guessing Amy saw it already.

My kids know NOW what they like about shows and what they're good for. I had
to think for years to get it.

TV's nobody's main hobby here. It's just one of many things.

Sandra

averyschmidt

> In a message dated 10/7/03 9:26:52 PM, arcarpenter@c... writes:
>
> << My question -- do most of you have no
> restrictions as far as age-appropriateness and/or time spent
watching TV? >>

I'm reading a really good novel right now called A Prayer For Owen
Meany by John Irving, and there's a great quote. (It's the late
50s/early 60s and the family in the story has just gotten tv for the
first time.)

page 254:
"Thus Owen Meany and I learned what crap television was, without
ever thinking that we hadn't come to this opinion by ourselves; had
my grandmother allowed us only two hours of TV a day, or not
permitted us more than one hour on a "school night," we probably
would have become as slavishly devoted to television as the rest of
our generation."

I liked that and thought I'd share it. :-)

Patti

Tia Leschke

>
>When I was little I remember watching Queen for a Day. They would give
>refrigerator or a washing machine to the contestant with the most pitiable
>story
>of poverty and loss. The rest maybe went home with a home game or some
>Rice-a-Roni, I don't remember.
>
>I used to watch The Price is Right all through my childhood, and it didn't
>scar me at all. I learned what cars and boats and nice furniture cost. I
>started learning odds and strategies for the various math games they had.


I used to pretend to be sick so I could stay home and watch those, and I
Love Lucy. Then again, *anything* was better than school for me.

I had an interesting experience today. It's taken me a lot to get
comfortable with TV, and this list has helped me turn my thinking about it
completely around. So today, a kid comes around with a pledge sheet
wanting me to help his class with their Turn Off The TV for a Week
deal. At the time I didn't even think about *why* they would need help or
what they might be pledging. I just said, "No, I think TV is a good
thing." Surprised myself all to hell. <g> Afterwards I wished I had told
him that he probably learns more watching TV than he does in school. <evil
grin>
Tia

pam sorooshian

On Tuesday, October 7, 2003, at 09:43 PM, Tia Leschke wrote:

>
> I used to pretend to be sick so I could stay home and watch those, and
> I
> Love Lucy. Then again, *anything* was better than school for me.


Oh Tia. I did that too. And now that these shows are sometimes on Nick
at Night, I told my kids about how the theme music to I Love Lucy makes
me suddenly crave chicken noodle soup and a blanket and pillow on the
floor in front of the TV.

-pam

Nicolas and Madeline Donck; Rains

A Prayer For Owen Meany is one of my favorite books. I probably didn't
even get this quote when I read it years ago. Thanks so much.

Madeline


At 04:42 AM 10/8/2003 +0000, you wrote:

> > In a message dated 10/7/03 9:26:52 PM, arcarpenter@c... writes:
> >
> > << My question -- do most of you have no
> > restrictions as far as age-appropriateness and/or time spent
>watching TV? >>
>
>I'm reading a really good novel right now called A Prayer For Owen
>Meany by John Irving, and there's a great quote. (It's the late
>50s/early 60s and the family in the story has just gotten tv for the
>first time.)
>
>page 254:
>"Thus Owen Meany and I learned what crap television was, without
>ever thinking that we hadn't come to this opinion by ourselves; had
>my grandmother allowed us only two hours of TV a day, or not
>permitted us more than one hour on a "school night," we probably
>would have become as slavishly devoted to television as the rest of
>our generation."
>
>I liked that and thought I'd share it. :-)
>
>Patti
>
>
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[email protected]

In a message dated 10/8/03 12:49:04 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
patti.schmidt2@... writes:
> "Thus Owen Meany and I learned what crap television was, without
> ever thinking that we hadn't come to this opinion by ourselves; had
> my grandmother allowed us only two hours of TV a day, or not
> permitted us more than one hour on a "school night," we probably
> would have become as slavishly devoted to television as the rest of
> our generation."

Patti,

Thanks -- I'd read Owen about 12 years ago and that line had caught my
attention then, but I'd completely forgotten it. It feels like things are coming
'round full circle. <g>

Peace,
Amy


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Andrea

At 09:43 PM 10/7/03 -0700, Tia wrote:
>Afterwards I wished I had told him that he probably learns more watching
>TV than he does in school. <evil grin>

We had a hurricane (Juan) hit here 10 days ago and schools were closed for
a week. Maybe the kids learned something :-) The strange thing was that
during the summer most kids are in planned activities but that week there
weren't any so they were free to play. Unfortunately many were free to roam
and make mischief, being unparented.

We were fine and lost none of our ten trees, just some branches and a
couple of lilacs. We also had our electricity back in 36 hours while some
people are still waiting. There are some pictures here if you are
interested http://142.177.145.150/juandownload/juanphotos.html

Donna in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia

[email protected]

In a message dated 10/8/03 12:32:04 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
SandraDodd@... writes:
> The pitfall is the possibility of your thinking that you'll know what's
> "trash," or thinking there are "trash" things from which your child would
> learn
> nothing at all.

Right -- that's why I put it in quotation marks -- anything he's watching or
is excited about is filling a need for *him* which is what it's about. Thanks
for sharing your examples.

Peace,
Amy


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

pam sorooshian

Wow Donna. Those are some BIG trees downed. And the railroad tracks -
amazing! I'm glad you're okay!!!

-pam


On Wednesday, October 8, 2003, at 07:43 AM, Andrea wrote:

> We had a hurricane (Juan) hit here 10 days ago and schools were closed
> for
> a week.

[email protected]

SandraDodd@... writes:
> used to watch The Price is Right all through my childhood, and it didn't
> scar me at all. I learned what cars and boats and nice furniture cost. I
> started learning odds and strategies for the various math games they had.



LOL, I *caught* Alex watching this, and I was so surpised he liked that show!
Oh, but he loves it, loves the odds and the cash and the prices....But the
boy hates shopping, so, I don't get that part. *shrugs* Goes to show that
you'll learn more about your kid if you let them explore and try out new stuff,
you'll never know what's going to have value or importance to them.

~Aimee




[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Tia Leschke

>Wow Donna. Those are some BIG trees downed. And the railroad tracks -
>amazing! I'm glad you're okay!!!


Yeah, you don't really expect hurricanes to cause problems that far
north. This one was a doozy. One woman on another list was *hoping* to
get her power back yesterday. Do you know Susannah, Donna?
Tia

Tia Leschke

>Goes to show that
>you'll learn more about your kid if you let them explore and try out new
>stuff,
>you'll never know what's going to have value or importance to them.


This is one to print out and tack up somewhere.
Tia

Kris

TV, video games and computer are not restricted in our house. I am the TV
lover, like to have it on for the noise mostly, both kids ask if they can
shut it off. LOL Lanora loves the computer, she chats, writes stories and
searches the internet, mostly for anime, manga and fan fiction. Jonathan
loves video games, we have Nintendo 64 and Playstation 2, with plans to get
Xbox and GameCube somewhere down the road. He goes in spurts, right now
he's in the "games when I wake up and play until I can't stay awake anymore"
mode. It passes and then he's more interested in outside activities and
other play.

There are very few conflicts over who gets to use what and everyone is
pretty happy with what they are doing. I use the computer in the morning
and am usually done before either of them wants to take over.

One thing I've observed about Lanora is that her passion for writing has
taken off since she began to be active on the computer. I think the
combination of chatting and writing has been a good stimulus for her.

I know that limiting any of these things would result in unhappiness and
resentment, I would feel that way if someone was telling me that what I
really loved wasn't valuable enough to invest so must of time.

Kris

[email protected]

In a message dated 10/8/03 8:49:59 AM, arcarpenter@... writes:

<< > "Thus Owen Meany and I learned what crap television was, without
> ever thinking that we hadn't come to this opinion by ourselves; had
> my grandmother allowed us only two hours of TV a day, or not
> permitted us more than one hour on a "school night," we probably
> would have become as slavishly devoted to television as the rest of
> our generation." >>

Compared to what's available now, though, early television WAS crap.

Sandra

liza sabater

On Wednesday, October 8, 2003, at 12:42 AM, averyschmidt wrote:
> page 254:
> "Thus Owen Meany and I learned what crap television was, without
> ever thinking that we hadn't come to this opinion by ourselves; had
> my grandmother allowed us only two hours of TV a day, or not
> permitted us more than one hour on a "school night," we probably
> would have become as slavishly devoted to television as the rest of
> our generation."

John Irving is so wrong. He obviously had no cable TV:

Spongebob Squarepants
Hey Arnold
Fairly OddParents
Jimmy Neutron
NOVA
Antiques Roadshow
Coupling, Ground Force, BBC News and anything in BBC America
Monsterbots
The Daily Show
Sex and the City
Queer Eye for the Straight Guy
History Channel
Discovery Channel
National Geographic TV
Cartoon Network
Food Network (yes, even Martha Stewart's show is worth watching)
MTV Español
Behind the Music (their so cheezy their fun!)

That's just off the top of my head

averyschmidt

--- In [email protected], SandraDodd@a... wrote:
>
> In a message dated 10/8/03 8:49:59 AM, arcarpenter@c... writes:
>
> << > "Thus Owen Meany and I learned what crap television was,
without
> > ever thinking that we hadn't come to this opinion by ourselves;
had
> > my grandmother allowed us only two hours of TV a day, or not
> > permitted us more than one hour on a "school night," we probably
> > would have become as slavishly devoted to television as the rest
of
> > our generation." >>
>
> Compared to what's available now, though, early television WAS
crap.


True. The context, though, was that having the opporunity to watch
to their heart's content, crap or not, they came to sift through
the "crap" to find what they thought was "not crap." Which to them
was Liberace. :-)
I think that not "becoming slavishly devoted to television" like
the rest of their generation meant that they had the freedom to sift
through themselves rather than just rapturously watch whatever was
on during their prescribed hour.

Patti