Suzanne at Mimilou had a good post the other day about media-savvy parenting. In my comments to her, I admitted to a certain (albeit questionable) smugness in that although my kids watch way more TV that the ‘experts’ would recommend, at least they don’t watch (whispers) commercial TV.
I thought of this on the weekend, as Tristan and Beloved happened to turn off the Theodore Tugboat video they were watching to catch the end of the animated movie “The Secret of Nihm” on cable. Whatever scene was on must have been fairly engrossing, because as I listened from the kitchen, they watched in silence for a few minutes. I couldn’t help but laugh when Tristan’s suddenly querulous voice asked, “Hey, put it back! Why did you change it?” It took Beloved a few beats to realize that a commercial had come on, and Tristan had no grasp of the concept.
Okay, so maybe they worship at the altar of the electric nipple, but he’s almost four years old and he doesn’t know what a commercial is – I can’t be doing that bad of a job. (She said, justifying and rationalizing as fast as her conscience would permit.)
The next day, Beloved and Tristan were watching that animated Garfield movie while I tried to read the latest John Lescroart novel and ignore them. I couldn’t help but be distracted in listening to Tristan watching the movie, though. I wasn’t sure he’d sit through an entire movie, but he followed the plot and laughed at all the silliest humour, so he was getting it. But my heart nearly broke at one point when his little voice intruded into the depths of my reading trance and he said, “Mommy, Odie is lost,” with all the empathy his little heart could feel. I quickly reassured him that Odie would soon be found and all would be right with dogs and cats the world over, but I couldn’t get back into my book. I had to watch the rest of the movie with them, partly because I wanted to really get an idea of what he was taking in, but largely because the idea of spending a blustery Sunday afternoon lying on the couch watching a movie was something I gave up about the time the kids started noticing the glowing box in the corner – and I was happy to have it back again.
Curious George comes out in theatres some time in the next couple of weeks, and I think that will be his first cinematic experience. I can hardly wait! Popcorn, giant screens, chest-thumping speakers – I love the movies!
And finally, speaking of movies, have you seen The 40 Year Old Virgin? We finally rented that this past weekend, and it’s easily one of the funniest movies of the year. If you haven’t seen it, don’t miss it!
We have had the Curious George full page ad ripped out of my Today’s Parent mag and up on the fridge for weeks already. We are SO excited, as it will also be B & T’s first ‘theatre’ experience. They have also never had popcorn. We have watched the trailers on the website and we are all perhaps a little more excited that it warrants.
The 40 year old Virgin?? I didn’t think it was that great, but I still LOL when I think of the “Kelly Clarkson!!!” scene. Did you know that was REAL??
My guys can sit through an entire movie, as long as it has Buzz Lightyear in it, and they can sit amongst their toys for quick distraction breaks. Does that count?
We have had the Curious George full page ad ripped out of my Today’s Parent mag and up on the fridge for weeks already. We are SO excited, as it will also be B & T’s first ‘theatre’ experience. They have also never had popcorn. We have watched the trailers on the website and we are all perhaps a little more excited that it warrants.
The 40 year old Virgin?? I didn’t think it was that great, but I still LOL when I think of the “Kelly Clarkson!!!” scene. Did you know that was REAL??
My guys can sit through an entire movie, as long as it has Buzz Lightyear in it, and they can sit amongst their toys for quick distraction breaks. Does that count?
My kids had the same reaction when we watched How the Grinch Stole Christmas (the original, not that Jim Carey frightfest movie) — they just didn’t understand why the show stopped all of a sudden. I hastened to explain that the break was for a commercial, the purpose of which is to show things to buy. I saved my screed about manipulation for another day…
My kids had the same reaction when we watched How the Grinch Stole Christmas (the original, not that Jim Carey frightfest movie) — they just didn’t understand why the show stopped all of a sudden. I hastened to explain that the break was for a commercial, the purpose of which is to show things to buy. I saved my screed about manipulation for another day…
Do you have any idea how much my children love Theodore the Frickin’ Tugboat? I had to read a pop-up Theodore book (with all the pop-ups long torn out) to Baby Blue this morning 8 times.
LG knows what commercials are. They’re the things that Daddy lets him watch and Mama doesn’t…
Do you have any idea how much my children love Theodore the Frickin’ Tugboat? I had to read a pop-up Theodore book (with all the pop-ups long torn out) to Baby Blue this morning 8 times.
LG knows what commercials are. They’re the things that Daddy lets him watch and Mama doesn’t…
I loved ‘The 40 Year Old Virgin,’ so much so that we got it on DVD. There are just too many things to laugh about in that movie, but I think I just about peed my pants when they burst into song. I won’t elaborate in case anyone on here hasn’t seen it yet, but those of you who have seen it know exactly what I’m talking about. GOOD TIMES.
I loved ‘The 40 Year Old Virgin,’ so much so that we got it on DVD. There are just too many things to laugh about in that movie, but I think I just about peed my pants when they burst into song. I won’t elaborate in case anyone on here hasn’t seen it yet, but those of you who have seen it know exactly what I’m talking about. GOOD TIMES.
Yes!!! That, and when the girl is in the tub (oooo, how can I say this without wrecking the scene for anybody who hasn’t seen it??) and he comes out of the bathroom to see – well, you know if you’ve seen it. I sprayed a big mouthful of coffee on that scene – caught me totally by surprise and I guffawed a mouthful of decaf all over the couch. And yes, the song – it’s been a long time since I laughed till tears were running down my face at a movie…
Yes!!! That, and when the girl is in the tub (oooo, how can I say this without wrecking the scene for anybody who hasn’t seen it??) and he comes out of the bathroom to see – well, you know if you’ve seen it. I sprayed a big mouthful of coffee on that scene – caught me totally by surprise and I guffawed a mouthful of decaf all over the couch. And yes, the song – it’s been a long time since I laughed till tears were running down my face at a movie…
I have seen it last week. I did not know it was so explicit! My 12 year old started watching with us and 5 minutes into the movie I sent her to bed! It was very funny though!
I have seen it last week. I did not know it was so explicit! My 12 year old started watching with us and 5 minutes into the movie I sent her to bed! It was very funny though!