Calling All Mothers
I was wondering: When do moms stop watching trashy TV and listening to music with questionable lyrics? Because this I know for sure-- my mom wouldn't watch those shows or play that music. I know how it is for me. When Archie isn't in the car with me its like "Hallelujah! No censor!" and Eminem goes wayyyy up. Within the weeks following bringing Archie home I sat down on the couch once while he was napping and turned on "The Challenge" on MTV (the episode I was in the middle of watching when I realized I needed to go to the hospital) and my mom just sort of laughed to herself. I've wondered, are moms closet Jersey Shore watchers? When does it stop?? Because there must come a point. My mom NEVER blasted Katy Perry.
Then I realized, I believe its just because society has changed. My mom wasn't kidding when she said she'd watch "I love Lucy" as a kid. When I say I watched "The Simpsons" as a kid, I guess its the same thing. That music that she'd get excited over that was SO TAME was really what she listened to. When my parents say they love Pink Floyd, that was a little rebellious. I guess me being excited over watching The Bachelor or Desperate Housewives is similar to my mom watching "her soaps" during the day when her kids were at school. So maybe that is why my mom seems so much more mature in her media choices.
So that brings me to my next question: How does my generation handle it? You friends of mine who are moms to older kids than I, when will it stop? When the kids can start repeating it? When your daughter can ask if she can wear clothes like the Bachelorette?Or does it ever stop? Because I really don't want it to. Are you just excited for your kids to go to school so you can turn on the ridiculous show? Because I'm thinking thats the best option.
Then I realized, I believe its just because society has changed. My mom wasn't kidding when she said she'd watch "I love Lucy" as a kid. When I say I watched "The Simpsons" as a kid, I guess its the same thing. That music that she'd get excited over that was SO TAME was really what she listened to. When my parents say they love Pink Floyd, that was a little rebellious. I guess me being excited over watching The Bachelor or Desperate Housewives is similar to my mom watching "her soaps" during the day when her kids were at school. So maybe that is why my mom seems so much more mature in her media choices.
So that brings me to my next question: How does my generation handle it? You friends of mine who are moms to older kids than I, when will it stop? When the kids can start repeating it? When your daughter can ask if she can wear clothes like the Bachelorette?Or does it ever stop? Because I really don't want it to. Are you just excited for your kids to go to school so you can turn on the ridiculous show? Because I'm thinking thats the best option.
posted by Breanne King at
12:22 PM
6 Comments:
I hope it never stops bc I have too many trashy shows I watch! You are so funny!
I wonder the same thing! Right now, James has no clue what I'm watching, but I have no clue what I'll do when he gets old enough to notice. Not that I watch a ton of bad shows, but I often ask myself if I'd want my kids watching what I'm watching. And as obsessed as I am with 24, I'm not sure that Jack Bauer is the best role model. So I guess we'll have to see. :)
This is a tricky question. My big one is movies. There are a few I love but would not want to introduce to my children. I try to have the mentality that if they shouldn't watch, listen to, etc I shouldn't either. However it is easier said than practiced. Dayt just barely turned one and I know he is taking lots in. Even though he may not repeat things, I would not want to expose him to non-uplifting things. Things change in so many ways when you have kids!
It changes as they grow and at some point you have to let your children make their own choices regardless of how disgusting you may find them.
When my children were little I wouldn't even let them watch Barney. Not because he was bad but because he annoyed me but I put on other shows that were wholesome and educational or just fun. Now I don't think I can stop them from watching or listening to anything. For me though having the church involved in it helps. They aren't just getting it from me to chose wholesome media but from the church. Brian now would rather go to a church dance because the people there are more like him than at the school dances and the behavior is appropriate. Some of the things that go on at the church dances he finds uncomfortable.
I have watched and listened to plenty of not-so-great media in my day, especially in my teens and before my mission. I knew I was going to really miss my music when I went on my mission, and I did. However, one thing my mission mom pointed out while on my mission, referring to the media we chose to watch / listen to, was that our life is short so why would we fill it with trash? That has always stuck with me. I certainly haven't been perfect since, and I am a sucker for a good rock song (and a good portion of those have some pretty nasty lyrics), but I have tried to clean up my media life a lot in the last few years. I watch very little tv, mostly some sports with the hubby, and I pretty much hate tv now. I can't stand how fake and gimmicky it all is. Don't let me fool you into thinking I don't have my weaknesses, but honestly, I don't miss tv, or a lot of the music I have gotten rid of, and I do feel a lot better about not exposing my kids to it as much, although I know they'll find it and like it anyway eventually, because I remember being young too. Anyway, maybe being 30 really does make you old and that's why I respond this way, but I say, the sooner you clean your media the house, honestly, the more peace you feel.
Archie isn't getting any of it. You can blast eminem with him IN the car and not worry about it (he still has fluid in his ears anyway, so its all muted! ;)
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