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: > I have no time for fanatical detractors to television. I was in the : >business for 16 years before I bailed out, so I know a lot of it can be : >crap. But there’s also some good if you’re selective. : At the risk of sounding like a total crunchy-granola type, I have to : say I think all this discussion of Barney and Sesame Street is missing : the point. These programs are mostly entertainment, with a little : "education"–if you want to call it that– tossed in to make parents : feel better about parking their kids in front of the tube. Who are we : kidding? These programs are primarily electronic babysitters. I don’t think anyone will argue with the point that tv is too often used as an electronic babysitter. However, I’ve never seen any evidence that *limited* viewing of *age-appropriate* shows is damaging. And if it *is* "mostly entertainment", so what? Aren’t books and toys also entertainment for your children? Are you planning to never let your children see a movie because it might be entertaining? : Rather : than allowing some dopey purple dinosaur blabber on about it, we ought : to be teaching our children about seatbelts, sharing, cleaning up, or : whatever, ourselves. If it’s important enough to be a subject of : discussion on these programs, I am going to teach them about it : myself. What these programs really teach is how to watch TV. Yeah, but are you willing to dance around with a bunch of perky kids and sing a song about the importance of seat belts? Maybe your delivery is better, but my 2 year old finds my explanation of the joys of seat-belt wearing to be less than enthralling. Sure, in an ideal world all these important lessons would come from a child’s parents and the child would hang onto every word. I think the real value of the "lessons" in Barney and other shows like it is that they can present issues and reinforce parental instruction in a much more fun, memorable, and yes, entertaining way than 99% of parents could do on their own. : Of course the kids like it. They’ll watch almost anything if you let : them. Our kids are now 5 & 6, and a few years ago, we let them watch : these programs until they figured out that the commercial TV stuff : looked a lot more interesting, and besides, there were all these neat : toys and cereals and candy and junk food to learn about. So we turned : it off, and cancelled cable. Zippo. With the average kid watching 4 : hours of TV a day, the last thing we need it "teaching" administered : via the tube. Turn the frigging thing off and read to them instead. I’m glad it worked for you, but no one here has advocated unlimited and unsupervised tv viewing for kids. Though it may not be *your* issue, the original question in this thread was whether or not parents have the right to decide what their kids watch without condemnation from others. The concensus answer to that question is a resounding "yes". (I’m sure you won’t disagree with that!) The secondary question has become whether or not Barney in particular is appropriate for toddlers. I vote "yes" to that one too, but of course YMMV. Laura Uerling "I could go on and on, but time’s a-wasting, and evil’s out there making hand-crafted mischief for the swap meet of villiany!" The Tick
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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->In article >Just wanted to throw in my two cents here: >I like the Barney show because it does not have smart-alecky kids on it >who are getting laughs by being sassy. There are not many children’s >programs at all that don’t have smart ass kids on them. You have to be >really, really careful because kids pick up on this and the reinforcement >(i.e. laugh track) that follows these smart mouth lines. We do limit the >amount of television viewing our son does, but we allow him to watch some >shows and I am VERY picky about what he watches. I would much rather have >him watch Barney than some show with a smart mouth kid on it. >Kelly >hi from WA also. Anyway, can you tell me which shows you mean? my son is >just 2 and I’ve started letting him watch NickJr and Sesame Street, no >Barney though, I couldn’t stand to have it on! Not to mention all the >merchandise! I really worry about what he watches, I don’t feel TV is evil >and we all watch alot of educational TV here, I was just wondering about >kids shows, I have a 6 week old and don’t really have the time to screen >everything carefully. Thanks, Sheila, mom of Trey 3/17/94 and Jacob 3/11/96
Just because I don’t particularly enjoy Barney, I wouldn’t think of denying him to my kids. It is wholesome fun and I don’t like everything my husband watches for that matter, either. Right now it seems to be so chic to ban Barney – what’s the point? It doesn’t have the same sting at neighborhood cookouts as "I won’t let my kids watch Power Rangers." There a few shows I am not as familiar with that my kids watch but I am delighted with several. The Big Comfy Couch (PBS) – totally existential in a childlike way. I am fascinated when she does the clock thing and I really want to rush to Toys ‘R Us and buy the dust bunnies if they are available. I love those dust bunnies. Kidsongs (PBS) – what a cutesy show but how great for little kids. Yes, the cast is precocious but so were the Mouseketeers, and who did that hurt? I only saw it in reruns but I bet there are great-grandmothers out there who Mousketeered. Kinda toe-tapping, too. Gulla-Gulla Island (Nickelodeon) – the best show I have ever seen, bar none, with a nearly all African-American cast. And one of the best kids shows I’ve ever seen anyway! My three sons, ages 2, 3 and 9 absolutely love this. And yes, I would buy a Benya-Benya Polliwog toy if I found it without blinking an eyelash. And I am notoriously cheap. Martha Give us Dust Bunnies! Give us Benya-Benya Polliwog! Now – before they have become mainstream!
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>> I guess what I’m saying is, don’t discount the value of Barney for young > toddlers–after all, *you* don’t have enjoy it for your child to enjoy > it and learn something from it. Try watching it with your child when > he/she is old enough and *then* decide what you think of it.
<snip> > Sitting with my toddler, now 7 years, and watching put it in an >entirely different light. I’ll probably watch it with our newest addition, >too! It’s amazing how the characters capture their imaginations (isn’t >that the whole IDEA of the show?). And boy, if "the cleanup song" hasn’t >come in handy a few times then I don’t know what! > I have no time for fanatical detractors to television. I was in the >business for 16 years before I bailed out, so I know a lot of it can be >crap. But there’s also some good if you’re selective.
At the risk of sounding like a total crunchy-granola type, I have to say I think all this discussion of Barney and Sesame Street is missing the point. These programs are mostly entertainment, with a little "education"–if you want to call it that– tossed in to make parents feel better about parking their kids in front of the tube. Who are we kidding? These programs are primarily electronic babysitters. Rather than allowing some dopey purple dinosaur blabber on about it, we ought to be teaching our children about seatbelts, sharing, cleaning up, or whatever, ourselves. If it’s important enough to be a subject of discussion on these programs, I am going to teach them about it myself. What these programs really teach is how to watch TV. Of course the kids like it. They’ll watch almost anything if you let them. Our kids are now 5 & 6, and a few years ago, we let them watch these programs until they figured out that the commercial TV stuff looked a lot more interesting, and besides, there were all these neat toys and cereals and candy and junk food to learn about. So we turned it off, and cancelled cable. Zippo. With the average kid watching 4 hours of TV a day, the last thing we need it "teaching" administered via the tube. Turn the frigging thing off and read to them instead. Tom
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In article >Just wanted to throw in my two cents here: >I like the Barney show because it does not have smart-alecky kids on it >who are getting laughs by being sassy. There are not many children’s >programs at all that don’t have smart ass kids on them. You have to be >really, really careful because kids pick up on this and the reinforcement >(i.e. laugh track) that follows these smart mouth lines. We do limit the >amount of television viewing our son does, but we allow him to watch some >shows and I am VERY picky about what he watches. I would much rather have >him watch Barney than some show with a smart mouth kid on it. >Kelly
hi from WA also. Anyway, can you tell me which shows you mean? my son is just 2 and I’ve started letting him watch NickJr and Sesame Street, no Barney though, I couldn’t stand to have it on! Not to mention all the merchandise! I really worry about what he watches, I don’t feel TV is evil and we all watch alot of educational TV here, I was just wondering about kids shows, I have a 6 week old and don’t really have the time to screen everything carefully. Thanks, Sheila, mom of Trey 3/17/94 and Jacob 3/11/96
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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > : My daughter is only 8 months old but I am fairly certain that she will > : never be tuning in to Barney!!!! Finally, some other Barney haters coming > : out of the closet. > <Sorry…attribution got lost> > : > Ok… thought I’d change the topic on this a tad.. I was wondering if > : > anybody else had had this experience (the "big purple dinosaur" thing > : > brought this to mind..). I flat-out REFUSED to let my daughter watch > : > B*rn*y.. (as you can see, I consider it somewhat of a dirty word.. 
<quote snipped> > Let me tell you, it’s a *completely* different experience watching > Barney with a child who’s the right age to appreciate it than it is > watching as an adult. She loves the songs, Barney, and the kids, and > even Baby Bop (shudder). And they do hear valuable messages about > sharing, tolerance, courtesy, etc. The "Barney says you have to wear > your seat belt" has worked for me too! > I guess what I’m saying is, don’t discount the value of Barney for young > toddlers–after all, *you* don’t have enjoy it for your child to enjoy > it and learn something from it. Try watching it with your child when > he/she is old enough and *then* decide what you think of it.
Laura… You hit the nail on the head! No adult in their right mind would watch Barney and actually enjoy it, but it’s not *for* us, is it? Sitting with my toddler, now 7 years, and watching put it in an entirely different light. I’ll probably watch it with our newest addition, too! It’s amazing how the characters capture their imaginations (isn’t that the whole IDEA of the show?). And boy, if "the cleanup song" hasn’t come in handy a few times then I don’t know what! I have no time for fanatical detractors to television. I was in the business for 16 years before I bailed out, so I know a lot of it can be crap. But there’s also some good if you’re selective. I also noticed many of the posters against Barney have young children not yet of age to get much out of the show. I wonder if the tune will change as the kids grow up? After all, as new parents we both decided our kids would NOT eat at McDonalds, would NOT have any junk food, would NOT play guns… well you get the point, eh? Altruism helps foster some interesting perspectives, but we run into that brick wall called reality! And then, we do our best as parents of our kids in the real world. Good luck with the parenting thing… Greg Lubianetzky father to Teri, 7 years and Tommy, 7months
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My 3-year-old son absolutely LOVEs the big comfy couch. It’s the only show he will sit though. I always thought it was strange, too. I wonder why the show is so facinating to toddlers/preschoolers. I feel the same way about Nicelodeon’s "Flexie and Jan" segments. I guess the producers know something we don’t! Lisa Thompson – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I haven’t posted to or read this group in a while, but I thought I > would check it out again. I’m curious as to what people think of "The > Big Comfy Couch" on PBS. My two and three year old sons love it. I > think it is bizarre – especially when she does the clock thing, but I > don’t have a problem with the show. Any other reactions? > Martha >The first few times I saw it, it was b/c it was in the >regularly scheduled timeslot for Barnie or something else >that we normally watched. I thought it was annoying >at first, mostly b/c I’m not a big clown fan. BUT, >now we really get a kick out of it! I swear, sometimes >it’s the only thing that gets us and Megan out of bed! >I think the clock thing is cool–one way to help kids >recognize time, and another to stress the importance >of NOT being a COUCH potato! >Once my husband started humming the tune for the show, I >knew we were in trouble. It beats Barnie, though! >Joan
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: My daughter is only 8 months old but I am fairly certain that she will : never be tuning in to Barney!!!! Finally, some other Barney haters coming : out of the closet. <Sorry…attribution got lost> : > Ok… thought I’d change the topic on this a tad.. I was wondering if : > anybody else had had this experience (the "big purple dinosaur" thing : > brought this to mind..). I flat-out REFUSED to let my daughter watch : > B*rn*y.. (as you can see, I consider it somewhat of a dirty word.. I’m not questioning your right to decide what your child watches, but I’m curious whether your opposition to Barney is because you think it’s inappropriate in some way for it’s target audience of 1-3 year olds, or because you, as an adult, think it’s sickingly sweet. Before my daughter was born I had seen Barney a few times and thought it absolutely nauseating. I fervently hoped that the Barney phenom would be over by the time my daughter was old enough to watch. Didn’t happen. Leah started watching it at the home daycare she attends since the other kids watched it, so I finally broke down and watched it with her. Let me tell you, it’s a *completely* different experience watching Barney with a child who’s the right age to appreciate it than it is watching as an adult. She loves the songs, Barney, and the kids, and even Baby Bop (shudder). And they do hear valuable messages about sharing, tolerance, courtesy, etc. The "Barney says you have to wear your seat belt" has worked for me too! I guess what I’m saying is, don’t discount the value of Barney for young toddlers–after all, *you* don’t have enjoy it for your child to enjoy it and learn something from it. Try watching it with your child when he/she is old enough and *then* decide what you think of it. Laura Uerling "I could go on and on, but time’s a-wasting, and evil’s out there making hand-crafted mischief for the swap meet of villiany!" The Tick
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Just wanted to throw in my two cents here: I like the Barney show because it does not have smart-alecky kids on it who are getting laughs by being sassy. There are not many children’s programs at all that don’t have smart ass kids on them. You have to be really, really careful because kids pick up on this and the reinforcement (i.e. laugh track) that follows these smart mouth lines. We do limit the amount of television viewing our son does, but we allow him to watch some shows and I am VERY picky about what he watches. I would much rather have him watch Barney than some show with a smart mouth kid on it. Kelly Seek to understand before seeking to be understood Kelly Kyes
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>Just wanted to throw in my two cents here: >I like the Barney show because it does not have smart-alecky kids on it >who are getting laughs by being sassy. There are not many children’s >programs at all that don’t have smart ass kids on them. You have to be >really, really careful because kids pick up on this and the reinforcement >(i.e. laugh track) that follows these smart mouth lines. We do limit the >amount of television viewing our son does, but we allow him to watch some >shows and I am VERY picky about what he watches. I would much rather have >him watch Barney than some show with a smart mouth kid on it. >Kelly
I can relate to both sides of this argument. On the one hand, it is hard to refute that Barney tries to instill very positive values, and is in this sense far superior to all those family-with-smartass-kids and most everything else on tv. On the other hand, aldults are almost universally sicked to the point of nausea by Barney. While Barney may say all the "right" things, the fact remains that he is a blubbering, saccharine, insincere, ugly purple dinosaur with a silly contrived voice and mannerisms–an aesthetic abomination. So we have a conflict of interest: is the positive aspect of his message worth the incredibly negative model in terms of taste (which probabably gets through at least as well)? After all, don’t we also want our kids to grow up with some sense of taste? Not surprisingly, we see differing answers to that dilemma. |Craig Weston–Assistant Professor of Music Theory, Composition, | | & Electronic/Computer Music, Iowa State University| | | |WWW: http://www.public.iastate.edu/~cweston/homepage.html |
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> I haven’t posted to or read this group in a while, but I thought I > would check it out again. I’m curious as to what people think of "The > Big Comfy Couch" on PBS. My two and three year old sons love it. I > think it is bizarre – especially when she does the clock thing, but I > don’t have a problem with the show. Any other reactions? > Martha
The first few times I saw it, it was b/c it was in the regularly scheduled timeslot for Barnie or something else that we normally watched. I thought it was annoying at first, mostly b/c I’m not a big clown fan. BUT, now we really get a kick out of it! I swear, sometimes it’s the only thing that gets us and Megan out of bed! I think the clock thing is cool–one way to help kids recognize time, and another to stress the importance of NOT being a COUCH potato! Once my husband started humming the tune for the show, I knew we were in trouble. It beats Barnie, though! Joan – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –
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I have not followed this thread very closely, but I will agree on one point. I do NOT like Barney, but… my daughter watched him briefly and now my son watches him at times. Yes, I have the TV on the PBS station during the day, whether he is playing, we are playing, or he is eating, when that purple dinosaur comes on, he stops everything and just watches. The kids on the show, well aren’t they suppose to idolize Barney. If they acted as if Barney was dirt, they wouldnt’ be on the show. Barney doesn’t teach too many letters or numbers, but he does teach other things, such as the seatbelts, the other day I heard them signing a song about turning the water off while you brush your teeth (teaching to conserve water). Sesame Street is my favorite though, I fond of Elmo and Big Bird was my daughter’s idol. My son, so far it’s the dinosaur. But if you don’t want your kids to watch it, then don’t let them, but there is no reason for anyone to critize anyone because they choose to not let their child watch it, just like there is no reason to critize someone because they let their child watch it. We each have our own parenting styles. Maria
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DB>The "I HATE BARNEY" thing seems to be a fad more than anything else. DB>Naturally, adults will find it sickeningly cute, etc. It wasn’t meant DB>for adults, it was meant for kids – little kids. How many of you "I DB>HATE BARNEY" adults let your kids watch the latest Disney garbage, which DB>obviously has adult viewers in mind to increase sales? Hmmm?? Just to clarify things a little, I’ve hated B*rn*y from the onset (go ahead.. ask my friends, neighbors, and family.. they’ll tell ya Also, I personally buy the Disney movies for myself, since *I* enjoy watching them.. 
It’s the personal attacks on my parenting because I chose to ban certain programs from my child’s TV viewing that I was talking about. Sarah (mom and laundry servant to Faythe, 11/02/91) :)
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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Path: news2.cais.com!news.cais.net!newsfeed.internetmci.com!in2.uu.net!cortex.nlm .nih.gov!watson.ser.bbnplanet.com!pconnect.com!Gypsy > Newsgroups: alt.parenting.solutions > Organization: The People Connection South Carolina’s Finest > Lines: 29 > RO>I agree that Barney is sickening to most adults, but can > RO>I ask what you find inappropriate about your daughter > RO>seeing it? I must say that my son has really learned from > RO>the show (example – he continuously tried to take off his > RO>seatbelt in his car seat until he heard Barney talking > RO>about seatbelts!). Also, the show does teach some about > RO>letters, colors, etc. that even a two year old can > RO>understand. > RO>Don’t get me wrong!! If you don’t want your daughter to > RO>watch it, I agree that this is your decision and others > RO>should respect it! > RO>Jennifer > Glad to answer I found the overall sugar-coating of it > inappropriate. I have been and currently know many kids the ages of the > children on said purple dinosaur program, and I think that the kids on > there all act as if they are imbeciles. "Gee, Barney.. Tell me about > YOUR dentist appointment!" (said by 16yr old in idiotic voise..) > As far as the whole letters, colors, etc., I was able to teach her all > that stuff without utilizing this program, and I really don’t think she > was "educationally deprived" or anything, although many of the mothers > (not to seem sexist here but I don’t really discuss this with many > fathers) I’ve dealt with would make it sound as if I’m abusing my > daughter by not letting her watch. I have also banned many other shows > in our house, not just the purple dork.. I mean dinosaur.. but this > one seems to draw the most fire.
Yes Barney is definitely sickeningly sweet, to adults, and hopefully to most kids who are the age of those on the show. I myself have wondered when the kids will realize they are hitting puberty and a little too old to be hanging out with Barney. My son is only two however and I want him to sweet. Not only that but sometimes Barney has driven home a point that was previously ignored when I presented it. For example, my son knows how to unbuckle his car seat and climb out! I had tried everything: switched to another seat, explained a jillion times that this is dangerous, stopped the car every two blocks. Finally one day he heard the dinosaur sing about buckling up. I choked back the nausea and sang the song to him in the car. Low and behold, he has never unbuckled again. This does not mean that I rely on Barney to teach lessons or discipline. But God knows we can all use the help !! Further, Andrew probably sees Barney twice a week or less. I just don’t see that I have to deny him something that he enjoys just because I don’t like it, as long as it is in moderation and monitored by me. -Jennifer Case
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: Ok… thought I’d change the topic on this a tad.. I was wondering if : anybody else had had this experience (the "big purple dinosaur" thing : brought this to mind..). I flat-out REFUSED to let my daughter watch : B*rn*y.. (as you can see, I consider it somewhat of a dirty word.. : When I would be forced to comment on this (Why don’t you buy her that : Barney video? Oh look at those ADORABLE Barney shoes! I bet she’d like : a stuffed Barney for her Bday!) I would get the most AMAZING lectures : about how I was denying my daughter a "wonderful learning experience" : etc etc ad nauseum. The way I explained it was "I don’t let her watch : it because *I* don’t think it’s appropriate. If YOU want to let YOUR : kids watch it, fine." I was wondering if other people have had similar : reactions to policies they’d made for their kids (be it tv shows, foods, : activities, whatever). : Sarah Sarah, We deal with this same problem almost daily. TV watching is strictly limited and strictly monitored in our house. We also do not allow Barney. My brother and sister-in-law have spent a small fortune on Barney products for their daughter (she’s 5 months older than my youngest) and they constantly complain about the money they spend on this stuff, while at the same time wondering why we won’t let Nicole watch it. For our oldest (she’s ten), there are some definite taboo shows: Beavis & Butthead, Ren & Stimpy, The Simpsons, and anything MTV. We do get remarks from relatives and friends (and parents of her friends) about not allowing these shows in my home. I use the same response you do…I don’t feel it is appropriate for my kids, what you do with your kids is your business. Stick to your beliefs…don’t let anyone try to make you feel like you are wrong in this. You have to do what is best for you and your family. Cathy oh, mom! to Christina 5/28/86 momeee to Nicole 11/27/94
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RO>> RO>> SH>Our 3-1/2 year old daughter gets bored with it pretty quickly. At leas RO>> SH>it’s not a purple dinosaur being frenetically friendly… RO>> RO>> Ok… thought I’d change the topic on this a tad.. I was wondering if RO>> anybody else had had this experience (the "big purple dinosaur" thing RO>> brought this to mind..). I flat-out REFUSED to let my daughter watch RO>> B*rn*y.. (as you can see, I consider it somewhat of a dirty word.. RO>> When I would be forced to comment on this (Why don’t you buy her that RO>> Barney video? Oh look at those ADORABLE Barney shoes! I bet she’d like RO>> a stuffed Barney for her Bday!) I would get the most AMAZING lectures RO>> about how I was denying my daughter a "wonderful learning experience" RO>> etc etc ad nauseum. The way I explained it was "I don’t let her watch RO>> it because *I* don’t think it’s appropriate. If YOU want to let YOUR RO>> kids watch it, fine." I was wondering if other people have had similar RO>> reactions to policies they’d made for their kids (be it tv shows, foods, RO>> activities, whatever). RO>> RO>> Sarah The "I HATE BARNEY" thing seems to be a fad more than anything else. Naturally, adults will find it sickeningly cute, etc. It wasn’t meant for adults, it was meant for kids – little kids. How many of you "I HATE BARNEY" adults let your kids watch the latest Disney garbage, which obviously has adult viewers in mind to increase sales? Hmmm?? telnet://ccsnet.com http://www.ccsnet.com Cape Cod’s Internet Address
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RO>I agree that Barney is sickening to most adults, but can RO>I ask what you find inappropriate about your daughter RO>seeing it? I must say that my son has really learned from RO>the show (example – he continuously tried to take off his RO>seatbelt in his car seat until he heard Barney talking RO>about seatbelts!). Also, the show does teach some about RO>letters, colors, etc. that even a two year old can RO>understand. RO>Don’t get me wrong!! If you don’t want your daughter to RO>watch it, I agree that this is your decision and others RO>should respect it! RO>Jennifer Glad to answer I found the overall sugar-coating of it inappropriate. I have been and currently know many kids the ages of the children on said purple dinosaur program, and I think that the kids on there all act as if they are imbeciles. "Gee, Barney.. Tell me about YOUR dentist appointment!" (said by 16yr old in idiotic voise..) As far as the whole letters, colors, etc., I was able to teach her all that stuff without utilizing this program, and I really don’t think she was "educationally deprived" or anything, although many of the mothers (not to seem sexist here but I don’t really discuss this with many fathers) I’ve dealt with would make it sound as if I’m abusing my daughter by not letting her watch. I have also banned many other shows in our house, not just the purple dork.. I mean dinosaur.. but this one seems to draw the most fire.
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I’m curious as to what people think of "The > Big Comfy Couch" on PBS. My two and three year old sons love it. I > think it is bizarre – especially when she does the clock thing, but I > don’t have a problem with the show. Any other reactions?
Big Comfy Couch was originally a Canadian show, I think, or at least the girl on it used to be on Mr.Dress-up’s show here a few years ago. We are very strict about what our kids watch, and I find my kids liked it, There were some good bits about being kind to other people, good manners and other important stuff. My daughter (6) actually likes the clock thing, she want me to paint one on her floor so she can do excersies! The best thing about the show is the 10 second tidy which my kids and I use to clean up the playroom, and their rooms.Of course it’s the two minute tidy, but they like the idea of racing around to put stuff away and then collapsing in a heap to read a book. I agree with a previous note , it’s not as sappy as some shows, and at least I didn’t find it offensive or too loud and raucous.
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Heck yeah! Someone’s always going to disagree with something you do or don’t do. Just get used to it. (And remember not to turn the tables when you disagree with their child-raising policies!) I usually try to at least listen, though, because now and then, they make a point I hadn’t really considered. And once in a great while, I change my mind! nancy – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Path: news2.cais.com!news.cais.net!news1.erols.com!newsfeed.internetmci.com!in2.u u.net!cortex.nlm.nih.gov!watson.ser.bbnplanet.com!pconnect.com!Gypsy > Newsgroups: alt.parenting.solutions > Organization: The People Connection South Carolina’s Finest > Lines: 19 > SH>Our 3-1/2 year old daughter gets bored with it pretty quickly. At least > SH>it’s not a purple dinosaur being frenetically friendly… > Ok… thought I’d change the topic on this a tad.. I was wondering if > anybody else had had this experience (the "big purple dinosaur" thing > brought this to mind..). I flat-out REFUSED to let my daughter watch > B*rn*y.. (as you can see, I consider it somewhat of a dirty word.. > When I would be forced to comment on this (Why don’t you buy her that > Barney video? Oh look at those ADORABLE Barney shoes! I bet she’d like > a stuffed Barney for her Bday!) I would get the most AMAZING lectures > about how I was denying my daughter a "wonderful learning experience" > etc etc ad nauseum. The way I explained it was "I don’t let her watch > it because *I* don’t think it’s appropriate. If YOU want to let YOUR > kids watch it, fine." I was wondering if other people have had similar > reactions to policies they’d made for their kids (be it tv shows, foods, > activities, whatever). > Sarah >I agree that Barney is sickening to most adults, but can >I ask what you find inappropriate about your daughter >seeing it? I must say that my son has really learned from >the show (example – he continuously tried to take off his >seatbelt in his car seat until he heard Barney talking >about seatbelts!). Also, the show does teach some about >letters, colors, etc. that even a two year old can >understand. >Don’t get me wrong!! If you don’t want your daughter to >watch it, I agree that this is your decision and others >should respect it! >Jennifer
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Sarah wrote that she refused to let her child watch Barney and that she had been hassled over it. Well Sarah, you’re not the only one. When I got pregnant my sister-in-law offered me all of her son’s Barney videos when he grows out of them. I thanked her politely and said that my child would not be a great TV watcher and therefore we would not be needing the Barney videos. She was appalled. I personally can’t stand that purple prehistoric creature and while it may be a learning tool for some parents, it’s not for us. My sister-in-law is the first to run out and buy the new Barney tapes and videos and the Disney films as well. I’m sure that if there comes a time that our son does want to watch a movie or other educational video, we’ll consider it, however for now we don’t want the TV educating our child (especially that purple thing) – we’d rather do it ourselves. — Brenda Mother of Devon (17 weeks)
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My daughter is only 8 months old but I am fairly certain that she will never be tuning in to Barney!!!! Finally, some other Barney haters coming out of the closet. A Loyal Sesame St. Fan Pip (a.k.a. Zoe’s mum) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Ok… thought I’d change the topic on this a tad.. I was wondering if > anybody else had had this experience (the "big purple dinosaur" thing > brought this to mind..). I flat-out REFUSED to let my daughter watch > B*rn*y.. (as you can see, I consider it somewhat of a dirty word..
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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Ok… thought I’d change the topic on this a tad.. I was wondering if > anybody else had had this experience (the "big purple dinosaur" thing > brought this to mind..). I flat-out REFUSED to let my daughter watch > B*rn*y.. (as you can see, I consider it somewhat of a dirty word.. > When I would be forced to comment on this (Why don’t you buy her that > Barney video? Oh look at those ADORABLE Barney shoes! I bet she’d like > a stuffed Barney for her Bday!) I would get the most AMAZING lectures > about how I was denying my daughter a "wonderful learning experience" > etc etc ad nauseum. The way I explained it was "I don’t let her watch > it because *I* don’t think it’s appropriate. If YOU want to let YOUR > kids watch it, fine." I was wondering if other people have had similar > reactions to policies they’d made for their kids (be it tv shows, foods, > activities, whatever). > Sarah
Of course; who hasn’t? I’ve had other parents chastize me for letting the kids go outside without coats, making them wear helmets ("nobody else in this neighborhood does"), letting them watch too much tv, not letting them watch enough tv, not letting them watch Smurfs (I’m fortunate that my kids are on the old side for the big purple dinosaur, and they all think he’s "stoopid"), not letting them watch movies that I thought were too violent and graphic, being too lenient, being too strict, not buying Barbies, letting my kids play with Barbies that other folks bought, not letting toy weapons in the house . . . . At some point, you just have to decide that you feel comfortable with the decisions you are making, smile a lot, and let it go. "Really? Hmm. I guess we feel differently about that." Marie Houck
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SH>Our 3-1/2 year old daughter gets bored with it pretty quickly. At least SH>it’s not a purple dinosaur being frenetically friendly… Ok… thought I’d change the topic on this a tad.. I was wondering if anybody else had had this experience (the "big purple dinosaur" thing brought this to mind..). I flat-out REFUSED to let my daughter watch B*rn*y.. (as you can see, I consider it somewhat of a dirty word.. When I would be forced to comment on this (Why don’t you buy her that Barney video? Oh look at those ADORABLE Barney shoes! I bet she’d like a stuffed Barney for her Bday!) I would get the most AMAZING lectures about how I was denying my daughter a "wonderful learning experience" etc etc ad nauseum. The way I explained it was "I don’t let her watch it because *I* don’t think it’s appropriate. If YOU want to let YOUR kids watch it, fine." I was wondering if other people have had similar reactions to policies they’d made for their kids (be it tv shows, foods, activities, whatever). Sarah
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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Path: news2.cais.com!news.cais.net!news1.erols.com!newsfeed.internetmci.com!in2.u u.net!cortex.nlm.nih.gov!watson.ser.bbnplanet.com!pconnect.com!Gypsy > Newsgroups: alt.parenting.solutions > Organization: The People Connection South Carolina’s Finest > Lines: 19 > SH>Our 3-1/2 year old daughter gets bored with it pretty quickly. At least > SH>it’s not a purple dinosaur being frenetically friendly… > Ok… thought I’d change the topic on this a tad.. I was wondering if > anybody else had had this experience (the "big purple dinosaur" thing > brought this to mind..). I flat-out REFUSED to let my daughter watch > B*rn*y.. (as you can see, I consider it somewhat of a dirty word.. > When I would be forced to comment on this (Why don’t you buy her that > Barney video? Oh look at those ADORABLE Barney shoes! I bet she’d like > a stuffed Barney for her Bday!) I would get the most AMAZING lectures > about how I was denying my daughter a "wonderful learning experience" > etc etc ad nauseum. The way I explained it was "I don’t let her watch > it because *I* don’t think it’s appropriate. If YOU want to let YOUR > kids watch it, fine." I was wondering if other people have had similar > reactions to policies they’d made for their kids (be it tv shows, foods, > activities, whatever). > Sarah
I agree that Barney is sickening to most adults, but can I ask what you find inappropriate about your daughter seeing it? I must say that my son has really learned from the show (example – he continuously tried to take off his seatbelt in his car seat until he heard Barney talking about seatbelts!). Also, the show does teach some about letters, colors, etc. that even a two year old can understand. Don’t get me wrong!! If you don’t want your daughter to watch it, I agree that this is your decision and others should respect it! Jennifer
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I haven’t posted to or read this group in a while, but I thought I would check it out again. I’m curious as to what people think of "The Big Comfy Couch" on PBS. My two and three year old sons love it. I think it is bizarre – especially when she does the clock thing, but I don’t have a problem with the show. Any other reactions? Martha
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> I haven’t posted to or read this group in a while, but I thought I > would check it out again. I’m curious as to what people think of "The > Big Comfy Couch" on PBS. My two and three year old sons love it. I > think it is bizarre – especially when she does the clock thing, but I > don’t have a problem with the show. Any other reactions? > Martha
I guess children might like it, but as an adult I find it a bit dopey. Our 3-1/2 year old daughter gets bored with it pretty quickly. At least it’s not a purple dinosaur being frenetically friendly… -Troy
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