by ScoutBumblebee » Fri Jul 04, 2014 12:32 pm
- Motto: "Increase efficiency.... Or be terminated."
- Weapon: Shoulder-Mounted Mega-Blast Missile Cannons
I'm going to say something that may not be wildly popular but I'm throwing it out there anyway. I mean it generally, not personally, as I know of none of your kids or even who all has kids (with staff exception.) Saturday morning cartoons were special, as were afternoon cartoons, because that was all most of us got. So it was to be looked forward to. The bombardment of media on our children is not at fault for the problems of the world, it is all in HOW PARENTS HANDLE THE ONSLAUGHT. As a parent, you control your child's media consumption. Period. If your kid is encountering media 12 hours a day, I'm sorry, but that is YOUR fault. I had a kid who was TV obsessed. And I mean obsessed. He loved watching anything and everything and he was allowed way too much.
One day, we decided it was time to stop. We imposed limitations on his viewing time, and set limits for how much he got. That included all screens--tablets, TV, video games, et al. Was it easy? NO! He screamed and cried and threw fits for more media. But guess what? As his parents, we knew we were doing the right thing, so we bore it. We explained what we were doing, and he probably didn't understand, but we kept at it. It took hold, and now he rarely ever watches more than a show or two before he says, "I'm done, I'm ready to go play now!" and he does.
TV doesn't turn kids into couch potatoes. Streaming video, constant availability of media, and onslaught of programming doesn't turn kids into brats, bullies, or TV zombies. Parents who are more concerned with never upsetting their kids do. And parents would would rather read Facebook, etc than interact with their kids do. Parents who let their kids do whatever they want to do. When the focus shifts from imaginative play, outdoor time, books, manners, learning, and caring for others, THAT is what turns kids into little jerks. You want Saturday morning cartoons? Fine! Make your own. Make it a special time to watch a couple programs they like. Sit with them, watch, discuss what they're watching. When it's over, TURN IT OFF. Go outside, take a walk, sit in nature, play at the park, read a book, have a conversation.
That is what will help turn kids into mindful adults. NOT letting media dictate what your kids eat, think, learn, and enjoy.
OK, fine. More talk.