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Thank you for giving me hope about what being a parent can be. I see all my friends who've started having kids over the past few years just plunking junior down

Thank you for giving me hope about what being a parent can be. I see all my friends who've started having kids over the past few years just plunking junior down in front of the tv to keep her occupied. I want to believe that there are others out there who are willing to try and find another way, but my immediate circles were seeming otherwise. It's great to hear they have so many friends engaging with them. You can try alternate forms of entertainment like this, but if all the friends just watch tv, you're either ostrisizing your own child or becoming the "bad parent" in their eye because everyone else gets to watch tv.

officemonkey 13y ago
I don't have TV, but I let my son watch TV. It's just stuff I've checked out, like "Curious George" on Netflix, or the 1960s "Batman" TV show that I have on Plex. Sure, he's heard about Mighty Morphin Power Rangers from his friends at pre-school, but his mother and I think it's too intense for him right now. I don't let my life be ruled by what other people think is popular, I'm certainly not going to let my child be raised according to that standard.
- saraid216 13y ago
  I feel a little bad doing this plug, but I strongly recommend Avatar: The Last Airbender when you feel he's old enough. (Seven seems to be a reasonable time to introduce it.) If you haven't seen it, see it for yourself first. It is perhaps the deepest and most nuanced "made for kids" thing I've seen at all: it provides a lot of discussion fodder.
  - officemonkey 13y ago
    I've tried watching it. It seems that I fall asleep whenever I start watching the first episode. The same thing happens to me when I watch "Fringe." Both are shows I'm fairly certain I would like. I'll give it another try when I'm well-rested.
    - omegaworks 13y ago
      The first season is a bit slow, introducing the characters, but it picks up :)
  - santigepigon 13y ago
    I second that. Avatar: The Last Airbender deals with a lot of potentially serious material deftly, with humor and grace to match. All three season are on Netflix's Instant Streaming.
    - stillyslalom 13y ago
      Unfortunately, the series is no longer available on Netflix due to contract expiration.
      - saraid216 13y ago
        How do you find out about this stuff? :( Welll. I just did some light searching and was unable to find a way to purchase all 3 books at once except via TheHut.com. Hope it's okay to link it: http://www.thehut.com/dvd/avatar-the-last-airbender-the-complete-collection/10614975.html http://www.thehut.com/dvd/avatar-the-last-airbender-the-comp...
        roc 13y ago
        > "How do you find out about this stuff? :(" There were tools... http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-57584518-93/netflix-cuts-back-on-expiration-dates-after-streamaggedon/ http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-57584518-93/netflix-cuts-ba...
      - sandyarmstrong 13y ago
        Since when? I just watched Sokka's Master with my son yesterday.
        santigepigon 13y ago
        He's right :( just checked, and it's available until 5/22/13.
- nzgrover 13y ago
  I can recommend "Jane and the Dragon", both my 3 and 6 year old love it: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jane_and_the_Dragon_(TV_series) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jane_and_the_Dragon_(TV_series)

officemonkey 13y ago

I don't have TV, but I let my son watch TV. It's just stuff I've checked out, like "Curious George" on Netflix, or the 1960s "Batman" TV show that I have on Plex. Sure, he's heard about Mighty Morphin Power Rangers from his friends at pre-school, but his mother and I think it's too intense for him right now. I don't let my life be ruled by what other people think is popular, I'm certainly not going to let my child be raised according to that standard.

saraid216 13y ago
I feel a little bad doing this plug, but I strongly recommend Avatar: The Last Airbender when you feel he's old enough. (Seven seems to be a reasonable time to introduce it.) If you haven't seen it, see it for yourself first. It is perhaps the deepest and most nuanced "made for kids" thing I've seen at all: it provides a lot of discussion fodder.
- officemonkey 13y ago
  I've tried watching it. It seems that I fall asleep whenever I start watching the first episode. The same thing happens to me when I watch "Fringe." Both are shows I'm fairly certain I would like. I'll give it another try when I'm well-rested.
  - omegaworks 13y ago
    The first season is a bit slow, introducing the characters, but it picks up :)
- santigepigon 13y ago
  I second that. Avatar: The Last Airbender deals with a lot of potentially serious material deftly, with humor and grace to match. All three season are on Netflix's Instant Streaming.
  - stillyslalom 13y ago
    Unfortunately, the series is no longer available on Netflix due to contract expiration.
    - saraid216 13y ago
      How do you find out about this stuff? :( Welll. I just did some light searching and was unable to find a way to purchase all 3 books at once except via TheHut.com. Hope it's okay to link it: http://www.thehut.com/dvd/avatar-the-last-airbender-the-complete-collection/10614975.html http://www.thehut.com/dvd/avatar-the-last-airbender-the-comp...
      - roc 13y ago
        > "How do you find out about this stuff? :(" There were tools... http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-57584518-93/netflix-cuts-back-on-expiration-dates-after-streamaggedon/ http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-57584518-93/netflix-cuts-ba...
    - sandyarmstrong 13y ago
      Since when? I just watched Sokka's Master with my son yesterday.
      - santigepigon 13y ago
        He's right :( just checked, and it's available until 5/22/13.
nzgrover 13y ago
I can recommend "Jane and the Dragon", both my 3 and 6 year old love it: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jane_and_the_Dragon_(TV_series) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jane_and_the_Dragon_(TV_series)