Bare Testimony
I am ashamed to be writing this. I’m ashamed because I always pictured myself as one of those innovative parents that would do things differently. I wouldn’t buy my children tons of toys that served no purpose but to line the pockets of some movie executive. I wouldn’t load my kid with sugarary cereal no matter how magically delicious it was. And I wouldn’t let television become a crutch in our lives.
But, I can’t deny it. It has happened. I am embarrassed to admit this but I simply can’t hide any longer. I bare my soul to you my blogging community as I ask for your support in dealing with my 3 month old baby girl’s very serious, very real addiction to television.
I know, I know you are gasping as you read this and I don’t blame you. I’m sure you are condemnimg me with all sorts of vile insults and rushing to remove me from your blogroll or your bookmarks. I don’t blame you. I don’t even have an excuse because there is no excuse for poor parenting.
All I can say is it started innocently enough. We would place Swee’Pea in her Boppy pillow and she would crane her neck to look at the television. “How cute!” we’d exclaimed. (Oh, we just didn’t know any better!) We might as well have been saying, “Look how cute she is chasing that dragon!” And now, I know I was enabling my daughter’s addiction without even realizing it. I’d encourage her excitement every time she would turn to watch the football game with me. My wife commented that she seemed particularly interested whenever Oprah came on. We would joke with her every time she turned to look at the turned-off television, “Oh, are you looking for Oprah, Sweetie?” But no addiction, even an addiction to Oprah, is a laughing matter. I just didn’t think there was a problem.
But now? Now, things are most certainly a problem. She is always aware of where the television is. If we’re feeding her and she is turned away from that wicked black box, her eyes will strain to catch even the faintest glimpse of her crack equivalent. Why even yesterday she was being especially cranky. My wife picked her up to comfort her and she calmed down. I was about to comment on my wife’s magic touch when we noticed that Swee’Pea now had a very clear view to the television from her new vantage point. The manipulation of those closest to her had begun.
And finally, there was last night. Last night Swee’Pea cried for long periods of time. Those of you who are frequent visitors know that she isn’t a crier. At first, I thought she was gassy or perhaps suffering from a cold. It was only later we realized that she was particularly cranky because she was missing the season premiere of Oprah.
Yes, it’s a sad, sad day in our household. But they say the first step is admitting you have a problem. Since Swee’Pea can’t talk yet, we might have a ways to go in that department. But as soon as she starts talking we’ll work on all 12 steps.
I’m not sure where she gets this addiction from. Many addictive behaviors are inherited. Andrea is adopted so I’m assuming it’s from her side of the family.
What’s that? Ooh, Katie Couric is on. I gotta go.
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My son (soon to be 3) didn’t watch much television during his first year or so. When the twins came? Baby Einstein = Crack For Babies.
Comment by Becky — September 20, 2005 @ 7:50 am
Baby Einstein was a lifesaver for us, and our son loves classical music! He learned quite a lot from those discs.
Our second son, on the other hand, didn’t get has much exposure to T.V. and he isn’t quite as bright.
So Bri is a genuis (or will be!)
Comment by Kari — September 20, 2005 @ 7:51 am
my two darlings were BOTH oprah addicts! the oldest, who is now 13, would crawl up to the t.v to give oprah kisses, and my little one, now 5 still loves to watch oprah. we DVR the show for her EVERY DAY! most of the time all she does is comment on how great oprah looks or how beautiful oprah’s hair is yadayadayada. as for the fear of t.v. having a negative effect…alex has a 4.17 gpa, has all honors classes and plays 3 instruments…and alyssa is well on her way to being the brightest one in her kinder class!
Comment by roxanne — September 20, 2005 @ 8:58 am
So you are putting her on the 12 step program. You do know that for this to work, the little one needs to admit she has a problem. Had she admitted this to you……?
AD
Comment by AdventureDad — September 20, 2005 @ 10:41 am
wow, at three months? i never knew it could happen so early! syd never had much interest on what’s on tv; it was more the nobs and buttons. i find her pushing the on/off button now and then, and once she even went back and turned the tv off! although, a baby einstein dvd helped getting her to laugh. she loved the popping balloons and van goat.
Comment by jungs — September 20, 2005 @ 10:41 am
We didn’t let Tod-lar watch any TV until he was 13 months old, and I was pregnant. Then I broke down and got some Baby Einstein DVDs. I felt bad because I didn’t the make the 2 year mark, but you gotta do what you gotta do.
Anyway, In-fant has been watching the DVDs with Tod-lar since she was born. You gotta do what you gotta do.
Comment by MIM — September 20, 2005 @ 1:39 pm
You mean, Bri is a FAN of Oprah’s, well who isn’t? But, alas you may be on to something. There is 12 step program for you; ALANON. But first to determine where this latent gene may have come ask yourselves these three questions; Have you ever watched TV while feeding your child? Have you told a loved one to stop talking because you were watching TV? Have you said “I can quit anytime I want to, I just don’t want to”. If you have answered yes to these questions then, please look up the closest treatment center because you are a TVaholic. If you answered NO, then you just haven’t reached rock bottom. Love Mom.
Comment by Grandomother — September 20, 2005 @ 3:08 pm
Ummm, Its 4:00 and I’m feeding brianna by herself (jonathan is out cold) so i can sit in front of the T.V (no twin boppy pillow needed while being isolated in the ‘feeding room’….) now and yes, Oprah’s on. Hey, you gotta seize the day, right? signed: a twin mommi
Comment by andrea — September 20, 2005 @ 4:09 pm
We were so pleased by the fact that our first child had NO interest in television, even when we TRIED to get him to watch (‘Look, Henry, Elmo is on! He’s dancing! He’s giving away money!’). We would say, in our pretend sad voices, ‘No, Henry doesn’t watch TV. He doesn’t like it.’ But we were secretly proud of this.
As it turns out (ha ha ha) our son has TERRIBLE vision. He’s five and wears glasses, and LOVES the TV now that he can see it. And I am thankful that none of our friends tried to kill us in that year of moral superiority.
What were we thinking?
Comment by Susan — September 20, 2005 @ 6:52 pm
If she’s happy watching Oprah and footbal enjoy it. We used to watch the Today show every morning, but before you know it, you’ll all be watching the Wiggles, Dora and Dragon Tales…and won’t be allowed to change the channel. And stick to DVD’s and PBS as long as you can…hearing “Daddy, I want that” every time a commercial comes on Nick Jr. is nauseating.
Comment by Clare's Dad — September 20, 2005 @ 7:52 pm
That’s it, if you don’t chunk all of your TV’s right now, you’re off the blogroll! Heh heh.
Brianna dear, move away from the TV. It rots yer pretty little brains, sweetie. I know from personal experience. Just read my blog.
Comment by ieatcrayonz — September 20, 2005 @ 9:01 pm
Anyone who wants to try and serve me up a platter of “moral superiority” about no tv for kids can kiss me where the sun don’t shine.
We keep pretty good tabs on lil’ K’s tv viewing time and I think moderation is the key…not too much, but some isn’t going to kill her. She was a very demanding infant and still is in a lot of ways as a toddler. So there are times when you just have to do what you have to do. For us, lil’ K loved The Backyardigans and Video Mods (on MTV2). The Backyardigans are great and I highly recommend them for their content and storyline…Video Mods, not so much, but she loves the music. What’s a parent to do. [shrug]
Comment by tod — September 21, 2005 @ 11:02 am
We’ve avoided the Baby Einstein phenomenon for now. The Peanut’s almost a year old. We’ll let her watch CNN and the occasional Met game. I don’t consider it watching tv though. I consider it programming.
Comment by MetroDad — September 21, 2005 @ 8:56 pm
There are worse things for your kids to be addicted to… the Mets come to mind (sorry, MD couldn’t resist). Not to mention the fact that the “happy box” will one day buy you just 3 minutes of sanity… precious time to go to the bathroom by yourself.
Comment by tpon — September 22, 2005 @ 6:50 am