Desperate Times Call For Desperate Measures
I’m beginning to think I’ve been a bit spoiled. And in Babisodes’ case, sheltered.
You see, I allow Babisodes to watch TV.
*gasp*
I know. I know. I’ve officially nixed any opportunity for a Mother of the Year award. And I’ve probably tarnished any refined mothering image you may have of me (seriously, c’mon. It’s nearly 3pm and I still haven’t showered today).
Anyway, we let her watch children’s TV programming. Not a ton and not just any. Thus far, she has only watched the Noggin network. They are geared towards preschoolers, and are completely commercial free. Rather than the usual flashy, sugar loaded, kid geared commercial breaks, Noggin plays short music video clips from Children’s musical artists, or some sort of interactive quiz or puzzle game for kids to participate in.
So far Babisodes has enjoyed their programming. One of her favorite shows being The Backyardigans. She adores their music (need I remind you of their library music CD fiasco), and they are also aired on Nick Jr. However, Noggin is considered a premium cable channel and we have to pay extra for it (about two Starbucks coffees more per month). So today I decided to try a different kids TV channel.
Immediately, there was a commercial for this….
(I searched everywhere for the commercial but could not find it. The there is actually a life-like brown turd in the toilet that is flushed)
Then a commercial for this immediately followed….
“….Disney Princess Talking Kitchen features realistic kitchen sounds…blah….blab… blah….
Available exclusively at Toys R Us!”
Babisodes: Mommy! Mommy! I want one of doze kitchens! And the poo-poo doll!
May I have bofth.
Can you buy me dem at… TOYS…R…Us!?!?!?!?
*Dies*
With the Dadisodes’ lay-off and the arrival of in-your-face holiday ads, I’m making an executive decision in La Casa De Momisodes.
Babisodes will personally donate some of her toys this holiday season to charity, and will be receiving only a few small things from Santa.
One of them being a premium TV channel.
Whatever it takes to keep pink talking kitchens and fake turds out of my house.
Oh NO! It’s started, and believe me it gets much worse!
Jeanette’s last blog post..Fiona’s Maternity Shoot
November 24th, 2008 at 4:13 pm
OMG! I saw it too. Definitely not on my daughter’s Christmas list!!!
missy’s last blog post..I made it through the weekend.
November 24th, 2008 at 4:15 pm
HA HA – love this – we love Noggin as well – but in small doses – like when I am cleaning!!
The flush baby is under my tree this year!!
November 24th, 2008 at 4:17 pm
Hehe we’ve started getting this from Zack too… with similar items! XD
Marylin’s last blog post..Sunday Stealing
November 24th, 2008 at 4:18 pm
this is just the tip of the iceberg …. quick! get off before the boat rams it!
the planet of janet’s last blog post..Birthday dinner: more fun than a barrel of monkeys
November 24th, 2008 at 4:32 pm
just though i’d stop by to share a cup of coffee and I hope you have a great day today!
mike golch’s last blog post..I give up.
November 24th, 2008 at 4:36 pm
Don’t feel bad. We are cutting way back too and we are both still working. Hubbies job has been really hit by the economy.
You know though, I think it’s made us realize that we have way too many things we don’t NEED. My kids don’t need everything on their list or a new toy everytime we go to Walmart. I didn’t and I think I turned out just fine…maybe. LOL!
Ella will want that baby doll with the turd…no doubt.
Dejoni’s last blog post..Making Progress
November 24th, 2008 at 4:44 pm
ewwww, gross!! Thanks for the warning, I will NOT be turning on NickJr. (we are watching Little Bear right now.) No turd baby at my house, I have to see enough turds as it is, between the two kids and two dogs…..
November 24th, 2008 at 5:03 pm
Heard! and understood sista!
I have blocks on certain channels unless I am in there and I’m so tired of those crappy (literally) toys. It’s awful.
We are cleaning out toyboxes and closets today to take to the salvation army and each kid gets one ‘big’ gift from us. 1 small from the other and 3 santa trinkets.
The last thing they need is more junk.
Kudos to you and sometimes premium should be called lifesaving-mommy-necessity-channel *ahem*
November 24th, 2008 at 5:06 pm
Yup, that’s Nickelodeon. And what does it say about me as a mother that I not only know that doll, but have had her “pee pee in the potty” song stuck in my head on more than one occasion?
Bethany’s last blog post..this mommy’s favorite things
November 24th, 2008 at 5:13 pm
Um, yuck! Count me out on the fake turds, too. I’m still changing diapers myself!
Isn’t it crazy how marketers know just how to sell to our kids, even when they’re young?
Evie loves the Backyardigans, too. Luckily we have them all Tivo’d, so she misses the commercials.
It still doesn’t stop her from asking “Buy?” to every toy she sees in the store!
SarahHub @ Oakbriar Farm’s last blog post..This Will Give You a Cavity for Sure
November 24th, 2008 at 5:22 pm
NO! children’s toys are the worst! noggin it is!
jameil’s last blog post..Recipe Du Jour: Chipotle Ranch Burger
November 24th, 2008 at 5:24 pm
The year D was laid off, we went to Kiwanis and got a couple of things for C. He was perfectly happy. At Babisodes’s age, they are just happy with something “new”. Kiwanis or the equivalent often has great books, and they usually have a huge Christmas sale the first weekend of December (often open early). Just check with your local places.
Jen of a2eatwrite’s last blog post..What’s Cooking Wednesday: Easiest (and BEST) Chicken-Noodle-Whatever Soup
November 24th, 2008 at 5:34 pm
Oh! And the dollar store – again – great stuff for kids Babisodes’ age.
Jen of a2eatwrite’s last blog post..What’s Cooking Wednesday: Easiest (and BEST) Chicken-Noodle-Whatever Soup
November 24th, 2008 at 5:34 pm
Dont worry, you arent alone…If other people didnt let their kids watch tv, there wouldnt BE baby TV shows…clearly we are not alone.
MISSION: Monday today…come get entered for the Mommy Bling!
Jay @ HalftimeLessons.com’s last blog post..Snip, Snip, Waddle
November 24th, 2008 at 5:46 pm
Can I limit my 15yo’s TV watching to just Noggin too? Please!
Tara R.’s last blog post..Keeper of The Book
November 24th, 2008 at 5:53 pm
I have never felt guilty for letting our son watch *good* children’s programming – Noggin was one of the best. These days we battle about Nick, but you’ve got a few years to go on that one! Good decision on the Christmas gift!
November 24th, 2008 at 5:58 pm
We {heart} Noggin as well. We also allow Disney in the mornings when it’s Playhouse Disney. Little Man also sometimes plays on the computer and it’s usually Playhouse Disney or Noggin.
Emily/Randomability’s last blog post..nothing
November 24th, 2008 at 6:11 pm
Poo-Poo doll…. ROFLMAO
Miss’s last blog post..My Best
November 24th, 2008 at 6:22 pm
Christmas was always limited at our house in good times and in tight times. I never felt the need to buy everything they asked for. When they got older they figured out that Santa was on a budget and learned to ask for that special thing that was in the price range of what I would spend. If they didn’t come up with something then it was *Santa’s* choice. It worked for us. But then we also had six kids to buy for.
One gift from Santa, one from Mom and Dad and a couple of small stocking stuffers (things under $20)
Patsy’s last blog post..Day 24 100 Word Challenge Time
November 24th, 2008 at 6:22 pm
I actually turned off the tv the other day because the commercials were turning my boys into greedy little monsters.
We really never go all out on Christmas. We get the boys one big toy each and then a few small ones. Otherwise it gets so overwhelming that they don’t even notice what they are getting anymore.
Kat’s last blog post..WW- Follow Me
November 24th, 2008 at 6:32 pm
Sprout is a PBS channel and is similar to Noggin, no commercials…not sure if it’s premium or not though. My problem has come in that my daughter (5 yo) has grown out of both. She prefers Nick Jr. Not all of those cartoons are 5 yo appropriate. Ugh. Now I have to censor. Luckily, my son (2 yo) is still happy with Noggin and Sprout.
We’re donating toys too, otherwise our house will implode with Christmas, I’m sure of it.
November 24th, 2008 at 6:42 pm
so far Im taping and skipping the commercials…and she still finds out about all that crap, errrr, all those products.
MizFit’s last blog post..Fitness. Fitness. Workout. (life) Healthy Eating. Fitness. Vision Board. (life) Meditation. Fitness.
November 24th, 2008 at 7:21 pm
Yup … the premium channel definitely sounds like a perfect solution! Hmmm … seems CommentLuv doesn’t know I’ve published Monday Motivator & some ‘chuckles’ today but I did.
Hugs and blessings,
storyteller’s other blog’s last blog post..Sunrise-Sunset#8 – BYBS#27 – Sacred Life Sunday
November 24th, 2008 at 7:29 pm
That was way too funny. I’m so glad mine are teenagers now. Any damage I’ve done exposing them to tv is too far gone.
Mike’s last blog post..They Came, They Saw, They Conquered…
November 24th, 2008 at 8:27 pm
Heh, at the moment Amy is laying on the couch watching Banana’s in Pajama’s while I write (and comment. hehe).
Goodness knows though that I try and keep her from seeing the ads for crappy stuff that she doesn’t really need. Ugh.
Veronica’s last blog post..The Day A Kitten Fell Out Of The Sky (kinda)
November 24th, 2008 at 9:05 pm
What ever happened to Betsy Wetsy? Now she has to poo too? Are you kidding me? I think you made a wise executive decision.
My grandsons love Backyardigans. Noah learned to dance from them. Hilarious!
Christine’s last blog post..I Am Confused!
November 24th, 2008 at 10:39 pm
Commercial TV is terrific: all that entertainment for which we don’t have to pay. We raised our kids on very little of it. However, there were unobjectionable shows that we fed them. We chose Barney (everyone on the show was nice to each other, how can you object to that?), Blue’s Clues, and The Magic School Bus for our kids, but they never once watched as the shows aired. We used a quaint technology called VHS and played the shows back without commercial interruptions. The trick was to build a library of video tapes with dozens of episodes we could dip into whenever we needed them to watch.
Being square, we’ve limited out kids to a half hour of video stimulation (TV or video games) per day. Now in their high school years, they don’t complain about it… and they never (at any age, honest) begged us to get stuff for them.
It’s possible Babisodes might say she wants something she just saw, but that she won’t nag and beg for it. Time will tell. Good luck!
Daniel’s last blog post..Your In-Home Kitchen Garden
November 24th, 2008 at 11:11 pm
A doll that poo’s?? Seriously?!?! That is the most insane thing that I have ever heard. And completely not necessary!
Television scares me. Because there is so much out there, commercial wise especially. We have come to the agreement that since we watch tv, we will let Wuzzle watch tv. But VERY limited. As in, we pick. Preferably DVD’s of things we’ve approved.
November 24th, 2008 at 11:16 pm
Fake poo?? oh man.. that is just nasty. Can you imagine the person who designed that doll??Oh yeah, lets make sure we add poo to the package..because all little girls want to play with poo.. geez…
And I can’t with the “I wants” in my house from my four year old.. too much.
Kim’s last blog post..Where is the bubble wrap?
November 24th, 2008 at 11:25 pm
We got rid of satellite a couple months back to save some money, so all my 4-year-old gets is PBS. Love not having to say 10 trillion times, “Well, just write it on your Christmas list.”
Carrie’s last blog post..Clean slate
November 24th, 2008 at 11:52 pm
TV, gotta love it and yet hate it too!! I love the fact it can help entertain my 2-year old when I am cooking dinner, laundry, washing dishes, etc. But, those commercials…yeah, my daughter has decided to follow in her brother’s footsteps and say, “I want that.”
May I suggest borrowing something a little different from the library? Every once in a whille, I turn off the tv and we listen to music and even books. My children love listening to stories (or books) on tape or CD. Actually, if your library has them the CD’s are better, the tapes tend to be older and more worn. Just think, she might enjoy looking at a book and have someone else read to her and you’re improving her listening skills!
November 25th, 2008 at 12:16 am
Yeah…I constantly hear “Mommy, can I have that?” Sorry, girls, but I have enough poop to clean up around this house!
We’re doing the same thing this year, cutting back on the toys.
supermommy’s last blog post..CVS Deals and the Littlest Reindeer
November 25th, 2008 at 12:16 am
You are so funny! I never tire of your blog! I am so sorry to hear that Noggin is a premium channel for you…totally sucks! I am so glad we have it… my little ones hardly ever see toy commercials (yippee)!
Christie-A Work In Progress’s last blog post..Mission: Pacifiers
November 25th, 2008 at 12:33 am
I saw the commercial for that doll the other day. I’m just glad that The Bean isn’t too interested in dolls. I’m not sure I could bring myself to get her one either.
Kim’s last blog post..Hit & Run
November 25th, 2008 at 12:40 am
TV is such a slippery slope. A few years ago I quite gleefully cut off the cable due to the ridiculous price. We have it back now, but only because I had to take it in order to get internet.
Alice Audrey’s last blog post..Alternative to Turkey Dinner
November 25th, 2008 at 1:08 am
Oh, crap! No, really, you can’t be serious about “turd included” when they likely don’t include batteries?
patois’s last blog post..Five Things I Want My Children To Know Before They Grow Up
November 25th, 2008 at 1:14 am
Oh yes!! It’s THAT time of year again! Here in Belgium, we celebrate Sinterklaas, on December 6th. He’s a different kind of Santa, and he brings toys for the kids. And then at Christmas, there is Santa Claus, and he usually brings toys and stuff too. So from the end of October we are being bombed with commercials on TV as well as all kinds of folders and catalogues you get in the mail! Can you imagine?
I have seen peeing dolls but a pooping one really is a first for me, yuck!!
All in all, I think you made a very wise decision!
Jientje’s last blog post..Ruby Tuesday, Coeur de Boeuf Tomato
November 25th, 2008 at 3:24 am
It is so crazy the cost for toys and stuff. We are trying very hard to keep our spending down – but our boys sure love the commercials and ads. Our second issue is that all three kids have winter brithdays too!!!
We are just getting each child two things and then maybe a few second hand items.
Good luck with bargin finding.
Laura from the Fringe’s last blog post..Monday Menu – Still on Plan
November 25th, 2008 at 6:45 am
You can solve that with one gift you and your husband will enjoy, TIVO! I am done taking requests from the peanut gallery.(That is of course until I go to the store on my own and give in like I`m made of mush. Good luck with that!)
Elaine B.’s last blog post..What`s it Worth to You?
November 25th, 2008 at 7:52 am
I am SO glad, yet again, that I have sons. I’ve seen the poo poo doll and my sons think it is disgusting. Stick with Noggin or you will hear her new favorite phrase: “I want dat!”
Undercover Princess’s last blog post..I love Pogo
November 25th, 2008 at 8:55 am
Fake turds?! They’ve gone too far and I am so glad my kids are older
. Good choice on donating toys – we’re doing the same over the weekend. I don’t limit TV too much for my kids, but we don’t have cable and they only watch PBS or videos.
Michelle’s last blog post..Comment on Affordable Premium Denim by Elaine B.
November 25th, 2008 at 9:39 am
Noggin is such a good idea. But at some time or other you must start preparing her for a life long skill that she will need to practice over and over again. Sales Resistance.
lceel’s last blog post..Back to being me
November 25th, 2008 at 9:46 am
oh my, real “fake” turds..ewww…
Just eww…
Average Girl’s last blog post..Average Girls Weight Loss Challenge
November 25th, 2008 at 10:49 am
Miss Peach LOVES the Backyardigans:P Other than that show, we keep the TV on PBS Kids…no commercials.
Now, don’t get me wrong. I am a TV person. I grew up watching TV…and I’m not too screwed up;) I am just avoiding all the ads on the other networks.
Nap Warden’s last blog post..The Funk
November 25th, 2008 at 11:11 am
The response to the “I wants” in my house is “add it to your Christmas list.” He usually forgets about the elevnty billion things he NEEDED by the time he finishes his show and heads for the den! LOL
November 25th, 2008 at 11:33 am
That doll is scary.
My parents tell me that the way they used to gauge how much I wanted something was by how often I asked for it. They’d make a mental note about the fact I wanted [thing] and once I’d asked for it by the same name, directly, a few times, they’d get me it. The logic being that if I didn’t even know what it was called, and didn’t keep asking for it, I couldn’t want it all that much.
Me, I’d probably just say “no”.
Solomon’s last blog post..The December ‘08 Contest
November 25th, 2008 at 11:43 am
What?!? The doll takes a crap now? HUH???? I remember when they peed and the girls got all twitterpated at “getting” to change the diaper. WTF?
Back to Noggin it is!! Start a fund…I’ll help…Call it the “Save my NOGGIN fund”.
Grandy’s last blog post..A Name Game
November 25th, 2008 at 11:48 am
Oh wow, I just find that doll so distateful but I’m sure they market it in a very appealing way…I remember when my daughter wanted everything and anything that she saw on tv. Those kinds of toys are usually only good for a little bit and they tire of them fast and then have more fun making a playhouse out of the box.
November 25th, 2008 at 1:37 pm
Oh my …..
You could never make me happy, really happy with Dolls.
I once got a Life seized one, as big as me.
I don’t think I liked it or ever played with it.
My Mom could tell of course. Maybe I’ll ask one day
I’m glad you are opting for the commercial free channel and drop two of your Starbucks coffees for that
Nicole’s last blog post..Surprises
November 25th, 2008 at 1:40 pm
Oh boy. L watches Braincandy and a few other select dvds for her “TV” as we cut off dish to save cash. And, all of them are commercial free!
November 25th, 2008 at 2:28 pm
And THIS is why we do “Signing Times” videos at my home…..
CC’s last blog post..Where is Super Woman?
November 25th, 2008 at 2:29 pm
Although my child is only 3 months, I’ve been wrestling with the idea of should I let him watch TV. I have a few friends that do not let their kids watch TV and I thought how depressing, but I understand. I don’t want to be one of those moms that let the TV babysit their kids, but what do I do if I need to cook dinner, take a shower, or any other household duties or work. So this might be a good topic for me to blog about. As far as the doll that poops, can we say “gross”. They are really coming out with anything now, huh?
F.P.E.’s last blog post..Is there really sex after birth?
November 25th, 2008 at 3:11 pm
This is so true, we also sacrifice dinners out to keep Noggin in and the ad vomit out:)
brittany’s last blog post..MISSION MONDAY!
November 25th, 2008 at 3:22 pm
I remember being totally obsessed with dolls that peed and pooped when I was a kid. I had Baby Alive, which you could feed and then she would poop it out. Or so I thought, my mom only let me try it once. Even if you have Noggin, you won’t escape it for long!
Angela at mommy bytes’s last blog post..Tuesday Toot – Adam’s awesome penalty kick
November 25th, 2008 at 3:54 pm
We were walking with the kiddo at Target yesterday & I could quickly see how the commercials have gotten to him. He correctly IDed several games on the shelves I’d never heard of…back to Noggin for us, too.
November 25th, 2008 at 4:20 pm
LOL!! For that reason alone, we only watch PBS during the day! And fortunately/or maybe unfortunately, we do not have cable or anything. We just have the very basic channels, when they decide to come in that is. Luckily PBS is always clear
But we do have a DVD of the Backyardigans, which my kids absolutely adore!
Kmommy’s last blog post..Frankenberry Pie
November 25th, 2008 at 4:59 pm
We love Noggin, too. Now that my older daughter is getting too big for it, we’re starting to rent DVDs from the library. Yay for commercial-free TV!
Asianmommy’s last blog post..Turkey Cupcakes
November 25th, 2008 at 6:01 pm
My worst nightmare! So far, easy to keep Sun from tv. But will resist to the bitter end with her! ACK!
Nola’s last blog post..The Business of Being Born
November 25th, 2008 at 11:32 pm
Fight the good fight! The advertisements will only increase, because the manufacturers need sales in this economy. Those toys crack me up. A talking kitchen. What next, an entire house of her own? Perhaps a trailer as a starter home? I turn off the sound when I watch TV commercials, because I’m as susceptible as Babisodes, I think.
Dot’s last blog post..Blogcation
November 26th, 2008 at 3:20 pm
OMG… we just broke down and bought the poo poo doll for Katelyn. We HAD to. I was planning to blog about it but haven’t had a chance yet (probably this weekend). Damn commercials!!
Shere1’s last blog post..Triple threat… to my sanity!
November 26th, 2008 at 4:46 pm
I feel your pain. We have graduated from Noggin to Nick Jr. and the Cartoon Network and it seems like it’s more commercials than shows.
My kids can quote commercials verbatim….I don’t think I’ll be up for the coveted Mother of the Year Award either. Oh well!
A doll that poos? An actual turd? Seriously??
Beth (A Mom’s Life)’s last blog post..Mr. Potato Turkey
November 26th, 2008 at 7:01 pm
What’s wrong with advertisers? At least this doll isn’t in circulation anymore
talk about creepy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VYSGVvA4ojE
Kristi’s last blog post..Happy Thanksgiving Eve!
November 26th, 2008 at 7:36 pm
[...] recent weeks, I’ve mentioned the pitfalls of allowing my daughter to watch children’s TV programming, and how she immediately fell prey to the flashy, sugar induced marketing ploys of [...]
December 18th, 2008 at 4:21 pm