I Just Can’t Avert My Eyes

Today I received a call from my friend Kadri, who lives in Washington. It’s always wonderful to hear from an old friend. We talked about our kids and the different stages they were going through. Every time I speak to her I wish we lived closer. We used to see each other everyday and now we are lucky for once a year, but I digress.

We stumbled on the topic of parenting philosophies. She is a very strong advocate of no television. I understand the concept, but find myself watching the tube while I feed Aiden his bottle. He is smart enough to know that if he turns his head he will see neat things flash and move. He understands that this super cool box is in the living room and our bedroom and it sometimes is a very interesting thing to look at. I don’t sit him in front of it while he is playing or use it as a babysitter, but it is occasionally on (ok, more than occasionally). I’ve heard about the studies trying to connect television and ADHD for kids under two years of age and I know that if there is a chance this is correct than it couldn’t hurt to try and stimulate Aiden in other ways.

I read to him, teach him sign language, we play with blocks and cars, sing and dance and I encourage him to practice what will eventually be crawling. I talk to him and he “talks” to me. What I can’t seem to do is keep the big flashy box off. I have grown up watching television and sadly have used it as a way to fill in the quiet of the house. I automatically put it on when I sit down in front of it. My main concern is that Aiden will pick up my bad habits and I am worried about being a good role model.

I noticed lately that he tends to look at the television even when it isn’t on, expecting something magical to happen, I suppose. I am aware of his fondness of it and try my best to keep it off, but my bad habits are hard to break. So I will take it one day at time, trying to be the best parent I can.

1 comment January 10th, 2006