The sponge. The yellow sponge. The yellow, square, pants donning sponge. Need I say more? Now, if you know me at all, you know the answer to that. Sponge Bob, where do I begin? He's an odd fellow. He definitely says some things that are questionable, and while he is probably okay for my 8 year old to watch, I am thinking he is rather inappropriate for the 4 year old. This is evidenced by the fact that last weekend my 4 year old called my husbands business associate an 'old coot'. When asked, like so many other times recently, where he picked up this little gem, the answer as always is a resounding "Sponge Bob!"
So, what's a girl to do? Elmo? No dice. Barney? Ummmm...not interested. You see, the curse of the older siblings is that your precious little cherubs begin to see/watch/say things much faster than the previous did. They want to do what the older kids do. My oldest loved Barney until he was about 4 1/2. The second declared Barney 'babyish' at 2. The third won't even give poor Barney the time of day. And so I am left to rely on the one thing that for some inexplicable reason, seems to 'entertain' all three of the kids. The sponge. Now, I am not one to use the television as a 'babysitter'. I've read the articles. I've heard the psychologists and parenting experts declare that this is awful for their fragile little psyches. I know that if they watch more than an hour of t.v a day they are likely to never go to college and possibly become a homicidal maniac. I have to tell you though, there are days where I am willing to take my chances.
We've all seen various t.v shows or commercials where the family is in the kitchen making dinner. The older kids are happily playing checkers at the kitchen table. The little tots are sitting on the floor with plastic spoons and bowls 'helping' mom make a delicious meal. You've seen it? I have too- just not at my house, like, ever. At my house, if I do not properly occupy, my kids will run around in the kitchen, screaming like maniacs (can someone say inside voices?) try to open all the cabinets, try to pull down whatever I am preparing on the counter to examine it, and just generally cause chaos and disarray until my meal is likely ruined, and we end up ordering pizza.
So, I have no choice but to say loudly and proudly; "God bless you Sponge Bob."
So, what's a girl to do? Elmo? No dice. Barney? Ummmm...not interested. You see, the curse of the older siblings is that your precious little cherubs begin to see/watch/say things much faster than the previous did. They want to do what the older kids do. My oldest loved Barney until he was about 4 1/2. The second declared Barney 'babyish' at 2. The third won't even give poor Barney the time of day. And so I am left to rely on the one thing that for some inexplicable reason, seems to 'entertain' all three of the kids. The sponge. Now, I am not one to use the television as a 'babysitter'. I've read the articles. I've heard the psychologists and parenting experts declare that this is awful for their fragile little psyches. I know that if they watch more than an hour of t.v a day they are likely to never go to college and possibly become a homicidal maniac. I have to tell you though, there are days where I am willing to take my chances.
We've all seen various t.v shows or commercials where the family is in the kitchen making dinner. The older kids are happily playing checkers at the kitchen table. The little tots are sitting on the floor with plastic spoons and bowls 'helping' mom make a delicious meal. You've seen it? I have too- just not at my house, like, ever. At my house, if I do not properly occupy, my kids will run around in the kitchen, screaming like maniacs (can someone say inside voices?) try to open all the cabinets, try to pull down whatever I am preparing on the counter to examine it, and just generally cause chaos and disarray until my meal is likely ruined, and we end up ordering pizza.
So, I have no choice but to say loudly and proudly; "God bless you Sponge Bob."
3 comments:
The curse of the older siblings was one of the hardest things I had to deal with as a nanny. At my last nanny job, the 3 year old could sing the theme music for "The Simpsons"!
Another "Sponge Bob" factor which I have observed in my youngest, is that she has really developed a very wry sense of humor, and I credit the Sponge Bob effect with this. Now as a parent, I have to nurture that, and help her fo focus this ability to see the humor in the strange and silly, so that she learns how to use it at appropriate times. (this comment is from Holmes, btw)
Spongebob is way popular in our house. And i have to say, its rather harmelss I think. Kids are going to pick up
"inappropriate" comments from pretty much anything they watch!! I have noticed that on many many kids shows. At least its not the Simpsons or Family Guy!! Now those 2 are off limits for us.
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