I-Carly - Question for those with kids

[Stephanie0523]

Oh thank goodness I'm not the only one out there. I get a lot of guff from the other parents here who let their 2nd and 3rd graders watch Family Guy, South Park, and a show called I Know My Name is Earl.
I also have no problem letting their friends know what they can and cannot watch and my kids have no problem telling their friends too. I tell them why I make the decisions I make. I've always felt that hitting is not the only characteristic of bad behavior words hurt too. Yesterday my daughter came home and was in tears some boy called her a "stupid idiot" because she couldn't catch a ball during dodge ball.

I'd never ever let my kids watch Family Guy, South Park or Earl... No way! I think the Nick shows are far far far different from that. Those shows are geared toward adults, not kids. I don't like for my kids to use words like stupid, etc. But they learn them from kids at school, not Nickelodeon, sadly.
We're experiencing that first-hand this year. Ugh...

As for the poster with five boys -- Bravo, lady!! I have three so I know how hard it can be!! You have my total awe!!

 

[jacmar]

Some kids have been watching age inappropriate TV programs all along, so its a natural progression. If you are watching a "TV7" show at 3 or 4, when you are 7, it moves onto "TV14", etc.

I feel very strongly that every parent has the right to choose what their children watch. It's my job as a parent to teach my children what's accepted in OUR home and to take that out into the world!!

 

[MadnNatsmom]

Oh thank goodness I'm not the only one out there. I get a lot of guff from the other parents here who let their 2nd and 3rd graders watch Family Guy, South Park, and a show called I Know My Name is Earl.
I also have no problem letting their friends know what they can and cannot watch and my kids have no problem telling their friends too. I tell them why I make the decisions I make. I've always felt that hitting is not the only characteristic of bad behavior words hurt too. Yesterday my daughter came home and was in tears some boy called her a "stupid idiot" because she couldn't catch a ball during dodge ball.

The shows you mentioned are in no way on par with I-Carly and Hannah Montana by any stretch. I don't even let my kids watch the "Simpsons" (but, I do love Lisa).

My kids wanted to watch "Glen Martin, DDS" on Nick at Night - it's claymation, which I love. I watched one show and it was absolutely INappropriate for kids under 18, IMO. So, yes, parents definitely should be monitoring what their kids watch. And, what we find offensive or inappropriate will depend on each family and personal opinion.

Can you clarify how the boy calling your DD "stupid idiot" has to do with the topic? I don't know if you're saying that the boy picked it up from watching TV shows, which very well could be, but it could be that he's heard it in real life, maybe his parents.

 

[imatbrown]

Hi there!
I have not read through the replies yet . . .so I'm just piping in with my opinion - my hubby and I had a long talk about this the other day

I finally relented and let my girls watch Icarly, Suite life of Zac & cody and Hannah Montana a couple of times. Admittedly this was before I previewed them. One night, hubby and I sat down and watched the shows with them. Prior to watching Disney, I only let the girls watch Noggin and very limited at that.

I was completely surprised at the behavior of the kids on these shows.

-I find Hannah Montana's character to be rude and selfish and completely superficial - I did not find there to be anything redeeming about that show and the morals were so hidden in bad behavior they were to easily missed by their young minds
-On iCarly - that doorman is over the top and I feel severely inappropriate and the constant sneakiness (lying, taking people's things, etc) of the characters on that show unacceptable for my girls
-Suite Life of Zac & Cody - there are so many sexual innuendos flying I was appalled at Disney not to mention the way the kids treat adults in all of these shows

I realize that at some point my girls will meet these situations in real life - but at 5 & 6 I will still protect them from it on TV. I am fairly stern with how much TV they get to watch to begin with. I have noticed that the more they watch the less they want to play in their room when it's 'no-tv-time' - so I am cutting back even more these days. I always tell them "Imagination is the order of the day" (ie: playing, reading, etc)

I definitely do not want to offend anyone by my opinions - I hope I didn't
I just do not want them learning those attitudes at this age - we work so hard on manners and being kind

Tami

 

[hokypoky]

*sigh* I miss the days when all my girls would watch were Noggin and PBS.

 

[carres1973]

My DD is 11 (almost 12) and DS is 10. They both watch iCarly. To me, that is one of the least offensive/bad shows they could want to watch. I am still drawing the line at Teen Nick and shows like DeGrassi. However, we do watch General Hospital together, though I do fast forward theough the kissy-kissy scenes. That is probably more for my benefit than hers!

Carrie