Growing up I watched a lot of television. A LOT. Before school and after school and evenings. Friday nights in my house meant 1) Grocery shopping 2) Sitting down to a big bowl of potato chips and "chip dip" & 3) The Dukes of Hazzard and Fantasy Island - if I could stay up that late. I think there may have been some Dallas mixed in there as well.
So I don't get too bent out of shape about recomendations that say any child under two shouldn't watch any TV. I also don't think it's appropriate to have a TV in every room of your house as some people a.k.a. my parents do. Yes really- even in the bathroom. It's small and it's built into a hide-away cabinet, but it's in there. (Yes I spent the night there once and took a bath in the gigantic tub and watched TV. It was glorious, I'm not going to lie.)
I'm in the middle of the road on this. Yes I let the little man watch Noggin while I get ready for work. It's either that or I'll stop when a Nanny falls out of the sky and into his bedroom. I also let him watch two shows after school. Why two? Because everything in his world has to have a routine and two seems reasonable. Have you ever been in (or heard) a room of 15 four year olds? I think the little dude has earned the right to zone out for awhile. We also have the television on during family/after dinner time in the background. BUT we are very careful what is on. We DVR a lot of programming so we stick to soccer matches, baseball games, Austin City Limits, etc. We save the good stuff until he goes to bed.
Overall I've not been too concerned about this, until recently when he's produced these gems:
While driving in the car:
Him: Look at that jeep!
Me: Cool. Beep beep!
Him: Beep Beep dot com!
Also while driving in the car, spotting a Coca Cola delivery truck:
Him: American Idol!
In his fathers car, digging around in change of the armrest compartment:
Him: What's this?
Me: Cash
Him: Cash Back?
My personal favorite, at the grocery store talking to my husband:
Me: What kind of brats did you want? Johnsonville or Klemments?
Him: Johnsonville
Little Man: Juicy Johnsonville brats sizzle on the grill!
(That's their slogan for those of you not from around here)
Maybe it's time to get out more?
BONUS! "CHIP DIP" RECIPE:
1 block of cream cheese (softened)
A handful of chopped green onions
1/4-1/2 cup milk, depending on the consistency you want
A few (or a lot, again, depending on taste) dashes of Worsteshire Sauce
Mix together (You'll need a mixer or hand mixer of sorts).
Indulge with your favorite chips. I highly recommend a thicker, heartier, ridged kind.
*Its even better if you put it back in the fridge and let it get cold again.
