Why I Don't Let My Kids Watch Commercial Television

I don't let my kids watch commercial television. It is easier than it sounds when you don't have cable.

Even when I had a satellite dish, I did not let my son watch Nickelodeon or the Disney Channel. It was Noggin, nothing, or a video.

You see, I hate tv commercials. I especially hate ones aimed at children. They make an item look so great, and the kid is smitten. Then that is all you hear about until you wish you could scream or die.

My son led a sheltered life. He was almost three before he knew that toys could be purchased at places other than garage sales. On our route about town, he would point out where he got what toy, and I found it amusing. Then his grandma, my MIL, bought him a toy at a STORE.

"DId you know you could buy toys at this store, Mom? 'Cause Gramma got me one there, and it is cool!"

Crap.

He had already led me through several pitfalls of Gramma's. The cereal with marshmallows in it. My kids eat the marshmallows out and leave the cereal.

You can eat out when you shop in town, and some of them have ice cream!

Crap.

"Those rides at the mall DO take money!"

Crap. I had them loving the penny horse at the grocery store, and now they want the fifty cent rides at the mall!

I always figured ignorance was bliss, especially when it came to my children. I didn't really want them to know there were mutiple aisles of toys at the grocery store. That the toys at the mall did stuff if you put money in them.

I always found a simpler life to be much happier for all involved.

But last night, there was a Shrek Christmas special along with the Grinch Who Stole Christmas. I taped them blindly for the kids, not weeding out the commercials, and knowing I would pay for it down the road.

Today I call my grandma, where my elder son spent the night. They were watching the DISNEY CHANNEL. Gasp. The commercials! I am ready to breathe into a paper bag, and I tell her, we usually watch PBS in the morning.

Oh, I never thought of PBS.

Gasp, choke. And I never thought I would have to tell you of all people to only let him watch PBS!

So when hubby puts on the Shrek that we taped, with commercials, Tater sees the video game bicycle rig and wants it.

But you have a real bike.