The fruit snack test
I've always been very cautious about what I let the kids watch on TV. Now that they are exclusively watching movies, I don't have to worry about commercials, but simply the content. Violence, guns, bad language, etc... are found in just about everything these days. One of the reasons I don't like kids TV shows and movies is all the products that are associated with them. We avoid the whining and begging for clothes, shoes, food, and more toys that always come along with the latest movie or cartoon.
Until very recently we only had two Disney movies in the house. Sam was 4 before he watched Finding Nemo. Of course this means, Julia is watching stuff at 2, that Sam never, ever did. The perk of being the second child I suppose.
Tonight, (I mean yesterday...I'm scheduling this to post in the morning so I can stick to my new routine), Sharon brought us 15 movies that she didn't need anymore. Don't tell the kids, but she also shared a bunch of brownies too. Most of them are Disney movies. Why the sudden change of heart? I realized that once the hype is over the chances of stores pushing slippers, pajamas, t-shirts, action figures, or fruit sacks plastered with the characters in the movies is pretty slim.
So as long as there isn't a princess involved (we don't do princesses) and there isn't a fruit snack on the shelf with the characters faces - we're good to go. Obviously this doesn't mean they'll be watching R rated movies anytime soon, but we're loosening the reins a bit on the rest.
Sam is sleeping with Treasure Planet and Dinosaur tonight. I think he's excited about our new entertainment options. THANK YOU SHARON!!!
9 comments:
I get tired of all the product pushes on commercials too. It was the worst during Christmas. I like Noggin, because there is no commercials, and the shows are halfway decent.
I've struggled with a lot of the Disney movies. Mostly because they all have characters using words like "stupid" and usually there is some violence of some sort. I am starting to open up a little more, but I am definitely way more cautious than I probably should be. I do think we'll watch more soon though to get ready to go in a few weeks.
I myself prefer movies to tv. Noggin isn't bad though. It's all kid educational tv.
The fruit snack thing, I buy the smily faced ones. Don't like the argument from my boy about which one is better.
That was nice of her to give you those movies and brownies too!
I hadn't really noticed the kids tv shows and the pushing of other products.. but now you mention it, your right. I totally agree. I am glad I know this... but my husband already said he is going to make sure our son stays active outside and not watches tv all day long.
When Sister Bear gets old you must get her (or get 'em now while they are still available) the American Girl series of movies. Best movies I ever got my girls. Clean and they have a good movie. Because of Winn Dixie is also very good.
LORI
Yay for new (to you) movies! You know, I felt the SAME way about all the hype associated with movies, etc....fun fruits, cereal...whatever. But you know what? They've been (addicted) to Cars (which is a really cute movie, btw) lately, as well as the Cinderella (never thought I'd do the princess thing, either) and I think they know what is expected of them in the grocery store/Walmart/or wherever those things can be seen/bought. El will occasionally get SUPER excited when she sees a box of princess fruit snacks at the store, but has yet to ask for them. I've never bought them, although grandma has - and she just knows. So just so you know - if they do eventually see some popular princess movie or whatever, there are worse things out there - and it's all about what we expect of them. They are smart cookies. :-)
Oh yeah, and I agree - Noggin is the best!
You know, some of our boys' favorite movies are those that we found at garage sales from the 80s. And you're right- there's no marketing to worry about with that!
I'm thinking you're on to something here :)
How exciting to have a big lineup of movies to view!
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