by Amanda Devlin

Created on: April 25, 2008

Before motherhood I would always talk about how "when I had kids" I would not allow them to watch television. However, when I became a mother reality kicked in. But, this is why I let my children watch television. And yes, I monitor the television that my children watch. There are so many educational television shows that actually hold your child's attention better then the $50.00 educational toy he got for Christmas last year. And as much as singing and jumping, and dancing and running that a show can do while teaching your child letters, numbers, manners, animals, shapes, etc.

Don't get me wrong, I sat down and done the alphabet song and taught my children counting and my three year old can write his name and count, and write his letters and he even tell you if you have three Cheerios and you take one away (by eating it) that you have two. Believe me I spending time with my children, but television is another distraction for them so I can do the other things a mother must do such as ensure they have clean clothes, a healthy meal, and many other things. However, when your two year old runs in your room and hugs you and kisses you and sings you the whole Barney song "I love you" then you realize Barney isn't so bad. TV isn't so bad because what they are actually learning in these educational yet fun shows have instilled loving behavior.

Now, I don't just sit and let my son watch Spider-man and Sponge-bob, but I refuse to be the mother that is allowing her children to live in a bubble and then she wonders why at age 9 they want to stay the night and their friends house because theirs friends mom lets them watch a little bit of television. Because they fear they have to hide the fact that they do need other forms on entertainment every once in a while. Then they are now learning to hide things from their parents.

There are always consequences to everything decision you make as a parent. Don't disillusion your child into believing that television is all bad. There are good qualities to everything. It is just sorting out, monitoring and limiting that is the solution to the problem. But, I don't believe that educational television and monitored children's programs are going to warp your child's mind at all.

So when my three year old comes in and asks if he can watch Bob the Builder. A 30 minute cartoon where the characters always work as a team and they learn everyday lessons on a variety of subject than I am going to say yes. Because although I teach them what I can I would like to know that what I can't teach them they can learn from Barney, Baby Einstein, and Bob the Builder.

I grew up watching Sesame Street and I turned out quite well. I made good grades in school, and college, had a variety of friends, and became a good mother. So, television when properly monitored and chosen can actually be a good thing for your toddler.

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