Dr. Mom Online

I’m not a fan of all-things-commercialized. I just about threw up the first time someone gave our daughter a Barbie as a gift. Of course, there were many more to come!

In all fairness, I grew up with Barbie’s and Disney… obviously to nowhere near the same degree that kids can nowadays. (did i just sound really old, or what?!) I didn’t have Disney Princess movies, dolls, ice shows I could go to, princess costumes (unless we made them ourselves), computer software, toy laptops… and so on. I had lots of books, a few Barbies, and some homemade clothes for them made by a generous neighbor. I had a big yard, close friends and a busy imagination.

So, when our kids beg to watch all the Disney and Barbie (and all the other annoying, highly-commercialized ‘favorites’) movies that their little friends watch, or have all the same toys that other kids have at their houses, or get on the various websites dedicated to all these characters (Webkinz… uugghh!), my eye muscles hurt from rolling my eyeballs back so far into my head! Gimme a break!

Get outside and play! Go make something! Read a book! Write a book! Create your own website! Color, draw, build something! Here’s a roll of duct tape and some string… surprise me! Know what I mean? Geez’ Louise, does everything have to be so media driven? Can’t my kids think for themselves anymore? Why am I such a “bad mom” because I won’t let them watch cartoons and I turn off the television or make them leave the room when commercials come on during the Olympics???

I’m just not a fan of ‘one-way’ communication. I don’t like a TV show, or a movie, or a commercial, or a website sending information into my kids’ brains without requiring any effort or thought on their part. I like them to move and think and carry on interesting conversations and ask interesting questions.

Yes, there’s a time to chill out and watch a movie just for the sake of entertainment alone. I love to do that myself. I just don’t like seeing kids do that on a regular basis. Yes, there are many educational shows and movies and websites. I don’t live in a closet! You know that’s not what I’m talking about!

One of my daughter’s friends listens to the Disney music channel constantly. My daughter began asking to listen to it, too, of course. I allow her to tune in occasionally, but I’m always a little bit turned off by the icky, growing-up-way-too-soon nature of most of the songs…. and I’m sure my parents said the same thing! So when she asks for Radio Disney, it’s another eye rolling muscle strain for me! Can’t you make your ownmusic, or something?! Here… take some wooden spoons and a pot… here’s your harmonica… where’s that guitar you got for your birthday?

Well, right now, I need to admit that I’m thrilled that Radio Disney exists. Yes, me. I said that.

There’s some program on right now that is geared toward little kids, with all happy, sweet and innocent songs. They’re most certainly way beneath my daughter’s age group. I couldn’t care less about that when it comes to this particular situation! Nobody singing them is an overpaid, under talented teeny bopper wearing provocative clothing and exotic dancer shoes! It’s truly a refreshing change!

Our kids have been dancing together, laughing, playing and singing to the music for the last 45 minutes. They’re calling it their dance-a-thon. They’re actually sweating, they’re dancing up such a storm! It’s really the sweetest thing to watch, when your kids are totally happy and loving each other’s company.

Of course, I also like the fact that they’re not sitting down like slugs on the couch and they’re feeding their brains with a heaping dose of proprioceptive input for overall well being… but that’s just me!!!

OK, the magic is over. Disney is back to the teeny bopper singers. I know I’m getting old because many of those songs definitely sound like nails on a chalkboard now! At least the kids have continued with their sweetness – they’re cuddled up together on our bed, with my daughter reading to my son. Aaaahhhhh. All is right with the world right now.