...because we all have our motley moments!


Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Uncomfortable Decisions

I have been pretty strict with the TV and movie watching. At home, the kids watch Noggin and PBS. They can watch Disney only in the morning. Animal shows are great too.

Of course what they want to watch is stuff like Hannah Montana, SpongeBob, and other pre-teen shows. Whenever I've relented, I've been disappointed with the attitude and words that the show uses. I feel like the TV patrol sometimes. I use it as a teachable moment and explain that some shows are of low quality and others are of higher quality. I actually use the word garbage for the low quality shows.

Lately, my kids have really gotten into watching the Little House on the Prarie shows on DVD. My good friend Kim let me borrow them from her. She has all the seasons that used to be shown on TV primetime. They are wonderful! They teach great values and sometimes show real life situations that cause the girls to ask me good life questions. I highly recommend them!

The day we saw the first LHP movie, I explained that this was an example of a "good" show. I asked the girls to tell me all of the good and bad things that they saw the characters doing. The show was filled with good and not too many bad. We then watched an episode of Hannah Montana and I asked the girls to tell me all of the good and bad things that they saw the characters doing. The list of good was short and the list of bad was long. Really long. I think they actually showed 2 kids kissing. At least it was a girl and boy and not the same sex like some other shows I've seen on TV. They got the message loud and clear.

How about movies? Well, I've been strict about the girls only watching G rated movies. Have they ever seen a PG rated movie? Yes. It's been at someone else's house and once at the free movies at the theatre in the summer. Every time they watch one, I am reminded of exactly why I don't want them to.

If my kids use the language or do some of the things shown on the screen, they get into big trouble! These movies show things that are absolutely against what is taught in the Bible. I can not in good conscience just let them go at it and be "entertained".

What's easier for me? Just letting them watch whatever's on. Not making a big stink about what's being shown to them at someone else's place. Choosing the PG movie at the movie theatre instead of the G rated movie offered.

I know this is not a popular way to live. I know that not every thinks the same way I do. That is totally fine with me. My job is to raise my girls the best way I know how. That is my priority and I take the responsibility seriously.

Remember that bible song:
Oh, be careful little eyes, what you see
Oh, be careful little eyes, what you see.
Oh, be careful little eyes, what you see.
There's a Father up above, looking down in tender love,
So be careful little eyes, what you see.

Be careful little ears what you hear
Be careful little mouth what you say...
Be careful little hands, what you touch...
Be careful little feet, where you go...

I'm not sure where in the Bible this song relates to. Maybe Psalm 101 verse 3. I will set before my eyes no vile thing. The verse before it says: I will be careful to lead a blameless life- when will you come to me? I will walk in my house with blameless heart.

When I see it written out, it helps me stay stronger in my conviction even when the going gets tough and I have to make uncomfortable decisions.

11 comments:

Liz said...

Maria, I think it's great that you're raising your girls this way. They are learning how important it is to stand up for what they believe and to live by what is right, not what is popular. Kudos to you!

Bryssy said...

Maria, For this same reason, we do not have cable and we don't watch TV at our house. It's certainly not popular but it is what works for our family!

Lindsay said...

I limit TV time and am also protective of what my kids watch on TV. Actually at Christmas I was actually irritated at a party my girls went to because they played a "trivia" game but all of the questions were TV related.........my kids didn't no any of the answers.

I haven't really decided what I will do when it comes to "older" movies. My girls have watched PG movies, but none that I have found offensive. My mom use to watch movies first and then decide if I was allowed to watch them. I will probably do the same.

Oh and for much older. I REALLY wanted 17 magazine when I was in school because "ALL" my friends had it. My mom didn't want me to be left out so she got the magazine before me. She would read it cover to cover (literally) and cut out any article that she didn't approve of. So I still got to read about hair and make-up but never "boy" stuff. Best of both worlds.

Pam said...

I am pretty picky about what Alex watches too. I love PBS because their shows do not have commercials! I also like taping shows for him so that he can watch it later and if their are commercials, I can fast forward. Good post! I love LHP. When they are older, they will probably love the books too.

Maria said...

Thanks girlies for the feedback. I appreciate it.

Donna said...

I think we need to read Little House in the Big Woods this summer. It really is a great series, and KID 1 LOVES reading a chapter book when there is a movie based on it to watch when we're done.

I grew up watching LHP. I loved it then and I love it now. It's so timeless!

My kids don't watch any TV, which really makes their playtime interesting. They come up with their own fun and use their imaginations so much more when they don't have the lure of tv in the family room.

Maria said...

What's Little House in the Big Woods?

Donna said...

It's the first book in Laura Ingalls Wilder's series. This series is what Little House on the Prairie is based on.

You should get the first one and read it to the girls. If they like it, this is a series to own.

Donna said...

And check out http://www.littlehousebooks.com/

It's the official site and it looks REALLY cute. You can even play games and find activities for teaching there, all put together by HarperCollins, the publisher of the Little House series. What fun! I'll be using this site as we begin reading the books to our kids!

Lindsay said...

I tried to read little house in the big woods with Avery but she got bored because so much of it she didn't understand (like smoking the meat). I tried to explain it to her but she just wasn't interested. Maybe the shows would help her understand more?

Donna said...

Maybe the library has some sort of pioneer documentary (or maybe there's something online), just to give her the context of this historical setting.