Submitted by omegapoint on July 14, 2008 - 7:07pm.
This is a huge can of worms and everybody is an expert on how TV is the worst thing ever.
Everyone needs some downtime, kids included. The brain requires time to incorporate and sort new memories and experiences. There comes a time when a brain just can't absorb new information, and that time comes sooner for kids than adults because there is so much that is new to them.
A TV show can also build a love of learning. The reason that Blue's Clues was such a big hit was that they played the same episode every day for a week. Kids delighted in knowing what was happening and why, and loved being able to tell their parents about it. It's one of the few ways in which a child can feel the pleasure of expertise; the way we feel when we're talking about something we know a lot about. Never giving a kid the chance to revel intheir knowledge means they never know the satisfaction of applying knowledge.
And finally, it's your kid too. You're not taking the kid to cage fights or something, you're trying to spend some bonding time with you son. How you spend that time is up to you, not her. You have an equal voice and an equal right to raise your kids the way you see fit. If you're having a good bonding time with your son, what right does she have to interrupt you or tell you you're doing it wrong? Work together with your wife, absolutely. But don't stand for her telling you that you're quality time with your kid has to match her expectations. Your instincts for childrearing are every bit as good as hers.
A little TV isn't going to hurt anyone
This is a huge can of worms and everybody is an expert on how TV is the worst thing ever.
Everyone needs some downtime, kids included. The brain requires time to incorporate and sort new memories and experiences. There comes a time when a brain just can't absorb new information, and that time comes sooner for kids than adults because there is so much that is new to them.
A TV show can also build a love of learning. The reason that Blue's Clues was such a big hit was that they played the same episode every day for a week. Kids delighted in knowing what was happening and why, and loved being able to tell their parents about it. It's one of the few ways in which a child can feel the pleasure of expertise; the way we feel when we're talking about something we know a lot about. Never giving a kid the chance to revel intheir knowledge means they never know the satisfaction of applying knowledge.
And finally, it's your kid too. You're not taking the kid to cage fights or something, you're trying to spend some bonding time with you son. How you spend that time is up to you, not her. You have an equal voice and an equal right to raise your kids the way you see fit. If you're having a good bonding time with your son, what right does she have to interrupt you or tell you you're doing it wrong? Work together with your wife, absolutely. But don't stand for her telling you that you're quality time with your kid has to match her expectations. Your instincts for childrearing are every bit as good as hers.