Wednesday, February 19, 2014
Thursday, February 13, 2014
Sunday, February 9, 2014
Color Crew vs Jessie
Larry and I were talking about how Anna Claire had shown a recent turn from being very sweet and innocent to being sneaky and saying things that are kind of ugly. We asked ourselves what had changed in the past few months, and besides getting a new baby sister.
Well, for Christmas we got a new Smart TV and along with it, Netflix online. We were surfing through Netflix Kids the other night, and Anna Claire said, "Let's watch Color Crew, Mommy!" Color Crew is a baby show but I thought sure, no big deal. She loved it! And since then we've watched many other innocent shows: Caillou, Curious George, and Daniel Tiger. These have replaced the more grown up shows she was leaning toward before Christmas: Jessie, Austin and Ally, Good Luck Charlie, and Dog with a Blog.
There is nothing wrong with these shows, but the story line often focuses on being sneaky and deceptive, and uses words like "stupid" and "whatever" and phrases like "I don't care." Things we'd rather not here coming from our four-year-old. I think I let her slip into this poor television watching habit because I needed her to be entertained sometimes so I could get stuff done, and she was so burned out on NickJr and Disney Jr that we didn't have any other options.
Since getting Netflix Kids on our smart TV and having SO many more options, the outcome has been a little girl who is again just so sweet and kind with her actions and words. We are also not at all ready for her to grow up and love the reminders on these shows of how to be kind and loving to others.
Well, for Christmas we got a new Smart TV and along with it, Netflix online. We were surfing through Netflix Kids the other night, and Anna Claire said, "Let's watch Color Crew, Mommy!" Color Crew is a baby show but I thought sure, no big deal. She loved it! And since then we've watched many other innocent shows: Caillou, Curious George, and Daniel Tiger. These have replaced the more grown up shows she was leaning toward before Christmas: Jessie, Austin and Ally, Good Luck Charlie, and Dog with a Blog.
There is nothing wrong with these shows, but the story line often focuses on being sneaky and deceptive, and uses words like "stupid" and "whatever" and phrases like "I don't care." Things we'd rather not here coming from our four-year-old. I think I let her slip into this poor television watching habit because I needed her to be entertained sometimes so I could get stuff done, and she was so burned out on NickJr and Disney Jr that we didn't have any other options.
Since getting Netflix Kids on our smart TV and having SO many more options, the outcome has been a little girl who is again just so sweet and kind with her actions and words. We are also not at all ready for her to grow up and love the reminders on these shows of how to be kind and loving to others.
Friday, February 7, 2014
Thursday, February 6, 2014
iHover.
If you spend much time around me with Anna Claire, you might be tempted to peg me as a helicopter parent.
And, at times I'd have to admit you're right. But just as often, I can see value in being a "hands-off parent." I think the important thing is to strike a balance that's right for you and your child.
And, at times I'd have to admit you're right. But just as often, I can see value in being a "hands-off parent." I think the important thing is to strike a balance that's right for you and your child.
The latest trend in parenting seems to be this hands-off style, and I get the intended goal of giving kids space...to not crush a kid's spirit, to teach independence and to build leadership traits. When opportunities arise to help my girls meet these goals, it's at these times I choose to be hands-off, but sometimes I choose to hover.
I hover because I value my child's safety, character and consideration of others. I hover because I have wisdom to share and take my responsibility as my child's first teacher very seriously. I hover because I believe character is formed at a young age and I choose to help guide and actively shape it now. I hover because I realize raising a child with strong character who is kind and warm to others is bestowing upon my child a wonderful gift. I hover too because I realize the value of people skills in life.
No, you will never see me fully ride the hands-off train, nor the helicopter. What you will see is a parent who seeks to do what's right for her children, and the situation will determine that, not a parenting style.
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