In an attempt to repent of my ignorance I have written the following statement of admission:
I plead guilty to the following offense:
Judging a mother for letting her young children watch "too much" TV.
At one point my assessment of "too much" TV watching may or may not have even constituted as just a little more than none at all.
Before I had children I had a vision of being a super parent, with learning activities constantly up my sleeve ready to keep MY child's attention.
Now that I am a parent, my previous vision is slowly fading into a more realistic picture.
Sometimes I just need the baby to sit quietly and stop climbing in the dish washer, in the dryer, in the trash can, in the toilet, pushing the chairs around, getting in the fridge, pulling out all the books from all the shelves, all the tupperware, pots, pans, bags, towels and washclothes from the cupboards and drawers and just stop stop stop stop stop.
I love my daughter, every moment of every day is not like that (but there is usually a moment in almost every day where she is like that).
So, I committed the offense of which I have unrighteously judged against.
I turned on the TV.
Not only that, I searched for a show that would most keep her attention.
I taught her to watch TV.
Today I washed the dishes, tidied up the kitchen and switched the laundry while my busy toddlerbaby sat peacefully on the couch crunching cheerios and hugging her teddy mesmerized by the picture and sounds coming from the television. She sat for at least 25 minutes. (Sesame Street, it's genius)
I can't say that I'm proud of it, but at the same time I'd be lying if I didn't admit that I am elated by the thought that she doesn't have to be asleep in order for me to get something done without my little buddy at my heels, literally pushing and pulling me along.
I plead guilty to the following offense:
Judging a mother for letting her young children watch "too much" TV.
At one point my assessment of "too much" TV watching may or may not have even constituted as just a little more than none at all.
Before I had children I had a vision of being a super parent, with learning activities constantly up my sleeve ready to keep MY child's attention.
Now that I am a parent, my previous vision is slowly fading into a more realistic picture.
Sometimes I just need the baby to sit quietly and stop climbing in the dish washer, in the dryer, in the trash can, in the toilet, pushing the chairs around, getting in the fridge, pulling out all the books from all the shelves, all the tupperware, pots, pans, bags, towels and washclothes from the cupboards and drawers and just stop stop stop stop stop.
I love my daughter, every moment of every day is not like that (but there is usually a moment in almost every day where she is like that).
So, I committed the offense of which I have unrighteously judged against.
I turned on the TV.
Not only that, I searched for a show that would most keep her attention.
I taught her to watch TV.
Today I washed the dishes, tidied up the kitchen and switched the laundry while my busy toddlerbaby sat peacefully on the couch crunching cheerios and hugging her teddy mesmerized by the picture and sounds coming from the television. She sat for at least 25 minutes. (Sesame Street, it's genius)
I can't say that I'm proud of it, but at the same time I'd be lying if I didn't admit that I am elated by the thought that she doesn't have to be asleep in order for me to get something done without my little buddy at my heels, literally pushing and pulling me along.
1 comment:
lol, Sabrina, don't feel bad. 25 minutes is the tip of the iceberg. My worsts were definitely a) when I was sick and b) after Caroline was born. I think Gwen ingested 3-4 hours A DAY of tube during those times. other than that, we try to stick to the "one movie a day" rule (or the 1.5 hour equivalent in educational shows).
I always feel a lil better if the show is educational rather than pure entertainment. Not just carebears or Barbie, ya know? Sesame street is a good one. Also highly recommend Leap Frog letter factory which taught Gwen all her letters and their sounds before she was even 2. I know you were also interested in signing, so check out Baby Signing Time and Signing Time from the library. Gwen's vocabulary really took off through this program, even if she no longer remembers the signs.
and don't feel bad. You're still a supermom, just realistic.
Post a Comment