Should Obama girls get TV after school? What about your kids?
The Associated Press reports: President Barack Obama says there’s one sure thing parents can do to help their kids learn, regardless of financial means: Forbid them from watching television on school nights.
Of his own daughters, Malia, 11, and Sasha, 8, Obama told Essence magazine: “The girls don’t watch TV during the week. Period.”
I have to say that seems a little bit harsh. My kids, and I’m sure President Obama’s kids, work very hard at school. They are gone for eight hours and deserve a little down time when they come home.
How would you as an adult feel if you walked in a from an eight-hour work day and someone made you sit down and immediately work another hour. That would stink.
When adults come home we want to unwind and so do kids. It would be great if they always wanted to go and back and play when they walked in the door, but often they just want to sit in front of the TV and turn off their pounding little brains.
I have no problem with my kids coming home and watching a couple of shows. They eat a treat. And after about an hour they start their homework. Eat dinner. Bathe and read and then go to bed.
I just think it’s about moderation– in all things. A little TV to unwind is not a bad thing. Hours upon hours of TV (especially in a kid’s bedroom is a bad thing.)
A brownie after dinner is not bad – a plate of brownies is bad.
Self-control people. There are all these articles now that show that self-control is more important in determining a child’s academic success than even IQ. So we need to help them develop self discipline as well as other skills. They need to practice the self discipline.
When you limit something too much then they go in the opposite direction when they have the freedom to choose.
When those poor little girls go off to college, they’re not going to leave the common room for hours trying to catch up on TV.
Moderation – that’s the key.
What do you think: Should the Obama girls get a little down time with the TV when they get home from school? What about your kids? How much is the right amount?
My friend and fellow blogger Maureen Downey addressed this on Get Schooled earlier. She’s on board with the President’s No TV policy. Check out her views and the comments.
Editor’s Note:
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83 comments Add your comment
Michelle
February 17th, 2010
1:56 pm
I think it is a parent’s choice. I try to limit the TV to no more than an hour a day and definitely no TV or video games an hour before bed! Part of our bedtime routine is reading for about 15 minutes prior to sleeping (whether him reading to me or vice versa).
It it’s nice outside, my little guy would MUCH rather be out there playing with the dogs or riding his bike. Since it’s cold outside, that’s much harder to do!
I think the kids who come home from school and flip on the TV to watch immediately and on through to bedtime are a bit excessive. I do agree with the moderation!
I’ll be honest, we don’t do homework every night! He gets a folder every Tuesday that needs to be turned in on Monday. On average, he can complete all the homework in the packet within 30 minutes! It has never taken longer than an hour. So, during the week, I will work on spelling words and things like that (writing issues, etc.)
Dar
February 17th, 2010
1:57 pm
I get home about an hour or so after my son does. Initially, I was okay with video games and some TV and even the neighbor boy over after school (I can hear it already. Whatever. The neighbor boy’s mom is right across the street and with her blessing I was okay with them spending about an hour in my home playing video games before I got there. They are in Middle School for gosh sakes — I was babysitting at that age). Anyway, that worked for two marking periods and then he stumbled a little bit out of the gate on this current one so I took games and the neighbor boy out of the equation until the end of the marking period. If he gets himself squared away and ends up on the honor roll for the period then he can have them back next marking period. I appreciate that my son needs some down-time after school. As a matter of fact, he has recently started pointing out that we both spend about the same amount of time (8 hours) “at the office” – although I also had to point out that I work at home in the evenings and most of the time that is until 2-3am after he hits the rack so my days are more like 11-14 hours before you add in housework and running him to his activities. A friend of mine has a “no electronics” rule during the week at her house. Her way works for her….mine works for me and my son.
1sus
February 17th, 2010
2:08 pm
I’m not opposed to it, but honestly, my 3rd grader literally just does not have time anymore! I try to let her have a couple days where she can play with a friend or go to the park after school, but even that feels like a stretch sometime with her homework. She used to get to watch a show after homework, dinner, bath, etc. were done, but it seems that now we are trying to complete practicing math facts or weekly projects for school, etc. until it’s actually LATER than I’d like her to get to bed! But I’m not going to give up letter her play at he park after having been in school all day!
Tiger needs me on his PR team
February 17th, 2010
2:08 pm
If not permitting TV is the “harshest” thing the Obama’s are doing with their kids, then they’re in good shape. Let’s not forget, they live in the White House! I imagine their parents telling them to go find something to do other than watch TV when you LIVE in the WHITE HOUSE will only result in some really great experiences that only a handful of children have gotten throughout history. To equate the situation and opportunities that OUR kids have to what THEIR kids have is ludicrous.
I grew up in Europe when I was a teen (military brat) where there was no English speaking television. Had there been TV, and I had told my parents that I would rather watch the tube instead of taking a stroll down the local street where I had an opportunity to just take in being in a foreign culture, they would have thrown the freaking TV out the window.
I let my kid watch TV during the week, but if I was living in a truly unique, once in a lifetime circumstance like the Obama’s, I’d be hard pressed to not to take that position as well.
Jane
February 17th, 2010
2:11 pm
I’ve lost two postings on here!
Claire
February 17th, 2010
2:17 pm
Getting homework out of the way seems like a good idea. Why let it wait until right before bed when you’re sleepy? Is there something wrong with reading a good book for your relaxation time? I think it sounds great that his daughters follow a schedule and know what to expect when they come home in the evenings. Only a child who is allowed to play video games or watch tv from the minute they step in the door to bedtime is going to complain that they’re being “overworked”
Tiger needs me on his PR team
February 17th, 2010
2:22 pm
@Theresa…..”When those poor little girls go off to college, they’re not going to leave the common room for hours trying to catch up on TV.” You say that with such conviction….and zero substantive evidence. How do you know that? Do you really think these girls are going to UGA and GT or a state university or will be in an environment where they think for one second that they have time to waste on the tube.
Newton Minow, FCC chairman, spoke these words in 1961!
“When television is good, nothing — not the theater, not the magazines or newspapers — nothing is better.
But when television is bad, nothing is worse. I invite you to sit down in front of your television set when your station goes on the air and stay there, for a day, without a book, without a magazine, without a newspaper, without a profit and loss sheet or a rating book to distract you. Keep your eyes glued to that set until the station signs off. I can assure you that what you will observe is a vast wasteland.”
Judging on the television topics that you’ve placed on this blog alone, I see nothing to refute his claims from almost 50 years ago….and you are willing to criticize the Obamas for believing this and sheilding their kids from it.
So the kids have to wind down with something other than tv….just because you THINK you’re right about this, doesn’t actually make you right. Let them be, they’re parents in a very challenging position to be parents, and for you to criticize their decisions because they don’t agree with your own says more about your views on thing than theirs.
Probably just one more...
February 17th, 2010
2:30 pm
…of “the Chosen One’s” truth stretches….
HB
February 17th, 2010
2:37 pm
“When those poor little girls go off to college, they’re not going to leave the common room for hours trying to catch up on TV.”
I doubt it. Believe it or not, many people who grow up in families that don’t watch TV regularly don’t feel deprived of something wonderful that they need to catch up on and simply do not develop much of a taste for watching. My college roomate was like that. Her family rarely watched, and other than for a show or two each week that she really loved, she preferred to leave it off. As for moderation, I think that an argument can be made that weekends only is moderation. The Obamas haven’t banned TV all together.
Tiger needs me on his PR team
February 17th, 2010
2:55 pm
@Theresa….I find it pretty ironic that this criticism has come from someone who presumably was treated with TV moderation as a youth, and your history of blogs includes these gems of TV that are SUCH good examples of ways to utilize TV to wind down (and this was just March – Aug 09):
Topic 3/5/2009: Fresh news on ‘Jon & Kate Plus 8′
Discussion questions:
So read the article and see what you think. Does it change your opinion of Jon or Kate? Does any of it surprise you? Does any of it upset you? Do you think it’s untrue?
Topic 5/26/2009: Enter to win our ‘Next Food Network Star’ prize package!
Topic 5/14/2009: Jon & Kate may split; Aunt Jodi says marriage is over
Discussion questions:
What do you make it of it all: Which headline is right? Is the marriage over? Can it survive? What do they need to do to save it? (Probably stop filming a TV show.) Are they willing to do it?
Topic 6/22/09: Jon & Kate’s announcement: Will it be divorce?
Discussion questions:
Should Jon move that far away if they are separating or divorcing? Is it fair to the kids or to Kate to move away? How will he fit 8 kids in the one-bedroom apartment he reportedly looked at in the city?
Topic 7/13/2009: What if Jon and Kate were on Match.com …
Discussion question: I think the Jon one is funnier than the Kate one, but see what you think.
Topic 8/14/09: “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” should watch out for “The Real Housewives of Lancaster County”
Discussion questions:
So what do you think: Did you like “The Real Housewives of Lancaster County?” Do like the “The Real Housewives of Atlanta?” Do you actually know any women who behave that way? Would you hang out with them? Which show do you like the best? Which cast would you want to be friends with?
I know I’m ranting on this particular topic (see I read them sometimes!), but you usually seem very forgiving and willing to give parents (particularly Moms) the benefit of the doubt when it comes to their parenting decisions especially when the decision is with good intentions and causes no immediate, long term, or obvious harm to the children. This position of yours, especially when accompanied by the criticism towards parents who seem genuinely interested in their children’s well being, is not like you. Or maybe it is. I really don’t know.
JJ
February 17th, 2010
3:00 pm
Honestly, who really cares if they watch tv or not? I sure don’t.
cld
February 17th, 2010
3:03 pm
Growing up, I came home and did my homework before I did anything else. We were allowed to have a snack while we did our homework at the kitchen table, while Mom prepped dinner. That’s just how it was. Even on Friday nights (until high school, when marching band interrupted my immediately-after-school schedule) I never realized it COULD be any other way until I started visiting friends’ houses after school. But I never felt deprived. To this day, I cannot relax knowing there is work to be done. I will come home from work, have dinner, clean up from dinner, vacuum or play with DS (him on his Fisher-Price version), get him to bed, prep sippy cups and meals for the next day and finish any remaining housework, before I sit down to relax. My husband comes in the door and wants to unwind before doing any more work. I can’t stand it. It’s just the way I was programmed, I guess. So while I don’t know about completely forbidding TV Mon-Thur, I definitely agree with forbidding it (along with computers, phones, etc) until after homework. I know DH will disagree with me there when that time comes – but whomever is home to enforce it will be the one who gets to decide.
DB
February 17th, 2010
3:29 pm
I’d say it was completely up to them. With TiVO, they don’t have to miss much, anyway. :-)
My kids seldom watched TV from middle school on — just didn’t have time, and there wasn’t anything that interesting on, anyway. Even now, my daughter only watches TV when she’s exhausted, and usually falls asleep on the couch two minutes into the show. (Except “NCIS” — we’re both kinda addicted to that.) In high school, my kids had sports practices, play practices, etc. almost every day, and usually didn’t get home until 7′ish. I had dinner on the table at that point, and then they would hit their homework. I guess the sports and play practices were their “down time”.
Theresa, you’re showing your age: most kids these days have TVs in their dorm rooms, and seldom if ever congregate in the common room to watch TV. Yeah, I remember watching TV in college (in the 70’s!) with the whole dorm, but those days are long gone. If my daughter misses an episode of “NCIS”, she just watches it on Hulu later, during the weekend. Generally, she leaves the dorm at 7:20, and between classes, rehearsals and working, she often doesn’t get back to the dorm until after supper. She basically comes home to sleep :-)
My guess is that the Obama girls know how to find Hulu :-)
Greg
February 17th, 2010
3:30 pm
We have no TV until homework is done here. Sometimes they get so much homework that they’re working on it until bedtime. I’d much rather cut back on homework than TV!
We found if we allowed TV then they’d get too out of focus and have a much more difficult time getting the homework done. So we have to enforce the homework first rule. We don’t watch TV much, so the TV watching isn’t much of a problem when we do watch it.
irisheyes
February 17th, 2010
3:40 pm
If that’s what they’ve decided for their family, great. I certainly don’t think that they are deprived in any way. They are probably MORE knowledgable about culture and the world than many kids. Is it really important that they know about Jon & Kate, Survivor, or The Hills? Honestly? (I’d just be glad if I could get iCarly off my TV at my house!)
I like how he made the point that ANYBODY can turn the TV off. As a teacher, I have so many parents who don’t do anything to help their kids. At the least, they can turn the TV off and have their kids open a book. Last I looked, the public libraries were free.
Jeff
February 17th, 2010
3:42 pm
Good job Tiger. I say DVR (TiVO) everything and allow a certain amount per week as a reward for getting everything else done. They can figure out how to utilize their time themselves. Kind of like teaching them to be grown up (the ultimate goal).
Rebecca
February 17th, 2010
3:45 pm
I would think right after school the kids would need some down time and decompress, with a snack and outdoor time. My kids do this when there are no extra curricular activities that particular day.
I have to agree that the kids I know that get little to no TV time are glued to tube when they are around it. My 3 nieces, who are not allowed to watch very much TV, were fixated on watching television at my inlaws over the Holidays. The kid across the street is the same way. He comes over to my house to take seek peeks at TV, video games and snacks as if he if starved to death (and no he is not overweight).
Everything is moderation!
Denise
February 17th, 2010
3:47 pm
I watch too much TV as an adult. Actually it is because of DVR that I “can’t” miss any of my shows. I can just record them! I have 10 Oprahs, a few Tyras, some Law and Orders, etc. What I find is that because I have so much access to shows that I like I watch more TV. I never missed it when I happened to get home too late for 90% of the shows that I record now. I say all that to say, if a child (or an adult) has other options on how to spend the time he or she will not miss TV. I think limiting the amount of TV a child watches is a good thing because 1. there is little TV that I would want my child to watch (if I had one) and 2. there are so many other things to do that are “better”. To tell you the truth, I sometimes watch TV to have “company” when the house is too quiet. Seeing as I live alone, more times than not lately TV is all the company I have.
jd
February 17th, 2010
3:57 pm
When it’s warm, we’re outdoors on the boat or cooking out with friends but in this cold windy weather, a good movie fits right in.
1sus
February 17th, 2010
3:59 pm
I’m with Greg . . . I’d like to cut back on the homework!
Julia
February 17th, 2010
4:37 pm
I really do not care what they do behind closed doors.. I
A
February 17th, 2010
4:47 pm
Theresa–downtime does not have to mean TV. It could mean reading a book, playing a board game, doing an art project…something that’s not homework. I think President Obama is setting a wonderful example with his girls. Both he and Michelle seem to be doing a great job raising them, and I’m sure when they get to college they will be just fine.
New Stepmom
February 17th, 2010
4:59 pm
My brother had a friend growing up that was not allowed to watch any TV or have any video games. He went to the beach with us one year for vacation and it was AWFUL. He would not leave the condo unless my mom dragged him because he wanted to watch TV. I can totally see Theresa’s point about being in the common room catching up on all the TV you missed.
I love TV and always have. My brother could not name a single show on TV outside of “This Old House” right now and probably never saw an entire episode of Sesame Street as a child. My parents saw the difference in our personalities and never set hard limits on TV except for now allowing me to watch anything inappropriate. That being said, I always made good grades, was very involved in all areas of school and church and had lots of friends. I just liked TV. My brother was the same way and never watched TV and still does not.
I think in moderation and depending on the kid…let them watch. I used to watch Charlie’s Angels re-runs then run around with my friends playing Charlie’s Angels in the woods with no one supervising. If more kids were allowed to do this today we may not have the over parented basket cases we have today in a lot of cases….
M1chelle
February 17th, 2010
5:28 pm
Wow that’s rough Theresa. Are you really that offended? My kids are not allowed to watch TV during the week either when school is in session. They are allowed to watch Fri, Sat, and on Sun til 6. This was my husband’s idea and I thought it was too strict because I really enjoy watching TV, but it really makes a difference in our house. My kids also come home and do homework first too. They get 30 minutes or so for snack and they usually talk about their day or some other topics…Yes, we talk to each other. We don’t have to be glued to a TV to wind down. Because this is what they are used to, my children don’t feel deprived. There are some good shows on TV,a but for the most part, I don’t feel they are missing too much. I would think that people would applaud parents who encourage their kids to be active and watch less tv. Who says that weekend tv time is not “in moderation”?
For some, if it comes from someone you disagree with politically, there is nothing that they could say that you would agree with. That’s probably why there is so much dissention in Congress.
Truth Test: If you dislike Obama politically and disagree with his “no tv” rule, imagine these statements came from someone you do agree with politically and see if you still feel the same.
JATL
February 17th, 2010
5:51 pm
I think it really depends on the kid. Some kids can handle one or two hours of tv a day and still do great in school and perform in extracurricular activities. Others seem unduly influenced by it and don’t get their homework done, etc. I’m fine with an hour before and some after homework if it’s age appropriate and not bedtime. I honestly think it would help so many more children if they were made to go to bed before 9-11 depending on age. They also do NOT need tvs in their rooms -at any age!
motherjanegoose
February 17th, 2010
5:54 pm
This is not going to win me the popularity contest but ( to me) kids who watch a lot of TV live in a house with lazy parents,
Oh, I know parents are pooped when they get home from work!
It is much easier to send them off to each of their rooms and let them veg out( to be out of your hair), than it is to engage them in conversation or show them how to help you cook dinner…even read a book or GASP have a conversation. Some families cannot eat dinner with TV.
My husband grew up in a house that was 24/7 TV. It is still that way. I CANNOT stand it.
He was a terrible student and punished frequently for it….as in whippings. He also has ADD.
This is interesting:
http://addadhd.suite101.com/article.cfm/television_viewing_and_add
As I have mentioned before, I could readily give up TV.
My kids did enjoy TV when they were small;
MISTER ROGERS, SESAME STREET, DARKWING DUCK, BUCKY O HARE, WISHBONE AND COMFY COUCH, Of course, they had their favorite movies too. They are now on their own as to what they watch.
One of my neighbors is VERY strict on anything electronic and limited her kids to 60-90 minutes of ANYTHING per day…computer, TV IPOD etc. Her kids are QUITE INTELLIGENT and a joy to be around.
If this is true, it is one of the few things I will shout out: THE OBAMAS ARE DOING SOMETHING RIGHT!
motherjanegoose
February 17th, 2010
5:56 pm
@ JATL, my kids both have had TVs in their rooms ( since high school) and I know studies are against it. They are still both good students…most of the time!
I have never had a TV in the master bedroom. Not my style.
Tiger needs me on his PR team
February 17th, 2010
6:09 pm
Once my kid got to the point he could wake up an surprise us in the living room at any given time, the wife and I HAD to get a TV in the bedroom…..it just made watching skin-e-max together too distracting wondering if he could pop his head around a corner at any moment!!!!!
@MJG…I don’t disagree with your premise…I think the question lies in your definition of “a lot”.
I would completely disagree with your neighbors banishment of and IPOD if the kids are just listening to music on it. We have our TV on usually at night on one of those cable provide channels that just plays a constant loop of music (not music videos, just music). I think we’ve conditioned him to enjoy Dave Matthews and Pearl Jam over Barney and the Wiggles, and I don’t regret that for a second! An IPOD filled with his favorite music is his request from his grandmother for his 6th birthday….I don’t see anything wrong with that.
Tiger needs me on his PR team
February 17th, 2010
6:22 pm
On a completely unrelated topic (Lakerat, where are you, you’re going to love this), Tiger has announced that he will be giving his first public statement since it all hit the fan. Hopefully he has listened to my advice for him in the past!
RJ
February 17th, 2010
6:47 pm
“How would you as an adult feel if you walked in a from an eight-hour work day and someone made you sit down and immediately work another hour.” That’s funny! I do it every day. It’s called cooking dinner. Afterwards, I help with homework, pick up around the house, maybe wash a load of clothes, exercise and finally, finally I get to jump in the tub and have some “me” time for about an hour.
I allow my son to watch his favorite show when he gets home IF he doesn’t have practice for basketball, soccer, baseball, etc. On those nights, he must do his homework first. He also has to walk HIS dog that he begged for. He complains that he doesn’t have enough time to watch TV. Video games are off limits during the week. My daughter is different. She doesn’t care for the TV, she just wants to get on Facebook or some other social site. She’s limited to computer time outside of school work. That’s a tough one because she has to listen to online lectures every night and take notes, do homework, etc. I think what the Obama’s are doing is great if it works for them. I’m not much of a TV person. I would prefer to read a good book than see some of the mindless shows on.
motherjanegoose
February 17th, 2010
7:02 pm
@ tiger, you know, it has been several years since she told me this so it really may not have been an IPOD maybe video games….that would make more sense wouldn’t it? Again, her kids are really great kids!
I am thinking 60-90 minutes total viewing per day ( school day) is fine but some kids watch HOURS of it. Maybe 2-3 hours split up on a weekend day?
Some Dads around here watch way too much TV too….LOL.. My husband will announce the titles of the shows he plans to watch and we just want to scratch our heads and laugh….we do not care. I will watch NCIS, Numbers, Criminal Minds and sometimes House with him…he can have the rest. Some days he will watch 8 hours of TV…when I am out of town. I could not do it. He can sit in his recliner the entire day except to get some coffee of use the restroom.
On the flip side, he HATES museums or anything cultural like concerts with classical music or plays. His family never got into it. Oh yeah, you had to have a plan for that….not happening, Nothing historical either. So, I have to provide the balance for the kids.
This is why I think TV is so easy….you just flip it on and walk away….nothing for the parent to DO.
Playing a sport outside or even a board game makes you get involved.
TechMom
February 17th, 2010
8:24 pm
I lived in a house where the TV was on all the time but I have never been a big TV watcher. My parents and my brother still watch a ton of TV & go to the movies all the time. I guess my addiction is the computer/internet so maybe I’m not any better. When my son was 4 we bought him a tv but put it in the guest room. It was out of convenience so that if we were watching a movie and he wanted to watch a kid movie or cartoon, he could watch it in another room. For the most part, the boy is so active though that we don’t have to restrict his tv time too often. We’re far too busy during the week for anything other than the occasional 45 mins it takes us to watch a show on the DVR after all the ‘work’ is done. On the weekends when we aren’t at ball games or wrestling matches, the boy usually watches shows he recorded during the week (like “Mythbusters” or “Howe & Howe Tech” which we all enjoy). But he almost always turns the TV off within an hour or so because he’s just too active to sit there any longer.
I think for some parents, no TV during the week is a good rule. I think for some it’s not necessary (like us) and others will never embrace it. I did not vote for Obama but I do agree with what he says because I believe he is talking to the parents out there who don’t know how to instill moderation in their kids because they’re too busy or too lazy. Anyone with half a brain knows that he’s not talking to the responsible parents who are there when their kids get home, are involved in their daily homework and teach them at home and don’t just depend on the schools to parent their kids. Is he stepping on some peoples’ toes in the process? Sure. But last I check most people don’t question (and consequently alter) the way they do things until someone offends them for doing it.
Irami Osei-Frimpong
February 17th, 2010
8:39 pm
This smells funny. Why do I remember a threatening joke President Obama’s daughter made about not buying an ad on Nickelodeon during the election, when Obama bought out the networks for his infomercial. That infomercial aired during the weeknight in the beginning of the school year, if I recall correctly.
Maybe it’s a new rule, but I think Obama may have a selective memory about his parenting habits prior to his election.
lwa
February 17th, 2010
11:07 pm
We don’t have a t.v. on the 1st floor so the kids don’t watch it during the week. Once we get home it is time to do homework, chores, eat dinner and go to bed. Not a lot of time for tv watching and they really don’t miss it.
catlady
February 18th, 2010
6:55 am
I guess I am farther off the charts than most. When they were small they got a half hour each per week (Sat morn) which they could combine with each other to get a longer block. And for 4 years (late elementary-middle) no TV in the house at all. Worked well, except there were some things that most kids knew that mine had no idea about (We thought Home Improvement was about repairing your house).
We did lots of family and individual pursuits instead.
A
February 18th, 2010
7:17 am
@catlady, there are lots of things my son doesn’t know about like Pokemon, Bakugan, Ben 10 and all the usual things elementary-age boys seem to enjoy because he doesn’t see those things on TV or anywhere else. And we’re fine with that. There’s plenty of time for super heroes and whatever; right now we want to start off with him knowing TV is a luxury and when he watches it should be something that will actually enrich him or make him laugh without us as parents having to worry about the content or message of the program.
JJ
February 18th, 2010
9:07 am
Well MJG – put me down as a lazy parent. My tv is on ALL the time. My daughter grew up in front of a tv, as I did. Growing up we had 4 tvs in the house. One in the den, one in the kitchen, one in my parent’s bedroom and one in the basement. I currently own 4 tvs. I remember watching the news during dinner growin up. Also, Wild Kingdom was always on when we ate on Sundays.
I grew up doing my homework on the floor in front of the tv. My daughter is the same way. She actually sleeps with the tv on.
So I guess we are both lazy.
Forget the fact that I walk my dogs at least 2 miles A DAY. That I work outside in my yard as often as possible. Forget the fact that my house is clean, that there is plenty of food in the fridge, and I spent a lot of time with my child when she was home. Just lazy I guess……
abc
February 18th, 2010
9:21 am
Who cares what Obama does with his daughters?
As far as TV goes, people would benefit from turning it off altogether, and leaving it off. TV is a major contributor to the spreading retardation of America. It’s gotten worse the past 10 years.
abc
February 18th, 2010
9:25 am
And, Tiger Woods is a major jerk. Golf will continue to grow to hate him; his endorsements will all go away; his star is fading to black. No pun intended.
5!!!
February 18th, 2010
9:45 am
Well, obviously there are parents who let television raise their children and the President is trying to set an example. So I applaud him for the effort.
As for my child, I am just not that regemented to set times when he can and can’t watch television or whatever else. And we don’t have many channels anyway, so he doesn’t watch much. However, he does like video games and if I notice that he has been playing to long I turn it off and tell him to write a story, read a book, or go play outside. There are no set rules.
Usually, I can just talk to him about stuff like that and he makes good decisions.
Getta Burk
February 18th, 2010
9:51 am
how about minding your own business. raise your own children. and I mean raise them. maybe parents should take a few pointers from successful parents if they can’t hack the job themselves. otherwise, do your job as parents. I fairly tired of having to do it and pay via taxes for raising children via govt and charitable organizations when the parents just don’t do it.
M1chelle
February 18th, 2010
9:56 am
@abc You sound very hateful. If you don’t care, then why comment? DUH!
I doubt that the sport of golf will “continue to grow to hate him” because like it or not, Tiger brought the kind of publicity to golf that it had never seen prior. There are some people in this world who believe in forgiveness. Of course you probably don’t need it because you must not have ever done anything embarrassing or hurtful to others. I believe with time, this drama won’t be as spectacular and people will recall what he is famous for – being a great golfer!! Let his wife and family work out their issues. They are the ones who matter in this whole fiasco.
Why do people (maybe not you abc) idolize humans and put them high on a pedestal and then turn on them when they fall?
Becky
February 18th, 2010
10:00 am
I really don’t care how much tv the Obama girls watch..If this works for them, great..Growing up, we didn’t watch a lot of tv, because we were always outside..My two little ones tend to watch more tv during the winter time..We have 3 tv and dvd players in the car, but I still don’t watch a lot of tv..Mostly Jeopardy and HGTV at night while in bed.
@JJ..I have a brother that watches a lot of tv and he isn’t lazy nor dumb..He tested way above normal on an IQ test..He plays golf pretty much every day and actually travels to play..
abc
February 18th, 2010
10:09 am
M1chelle, just check out the stories published today about Tiger’s press conference scheduled for tomorrow. Golfers resent that he’s even doing it on a Friday instead of a Monday, such that it detracts publicity from Golf events over the weekend. You think golf misses Tiger Woods because he’s a great golfer? Not. Football wouldn’t miss TO, either.
As far as my comments go, if you object to them, feel free to not read them.
M1chelle
February 18th, 2010
10:25 am
@abc, I think the TO and Tiger comparison is apples and oranges. TO is not as great of a receiver as Tiger is a golfer. I would think football (or the Colts) would miss someone like Payton Manning. I don’t think it was smart of Tiger to do a press confrence during a golf tournament and take away any shine from that tournament. I didn’t even know that tournament was going on…So actually, because golf is in the news, maybe people will tune in – even if it’s to spite Tiger. I’m sure his timing had something to do with Accenture dropping him. Isn’t the tournament sponsored by Accenture?
Also, I won’t know if I object to your comments if I don’t read them first. :-) But it’s a free world and freedom of speech is an awesome privilege so if you want to say that you don’t care, then that’s your right. My apologies.
abc
February 18th, 2010
10:36 am
Peyton Manning isn’t a jerk like those other guys, either. If football ever misses him, it will be because of his personality, not his playing ability. People maintain celebrity not on the merits of their abilities, but because the public admires or is entertained by their character and personality. The likes of TO and Tiger, jerks and fakes, bomb on the celebrity scale. Tiger attracts attention lately only due to scandal and sensationalism; that will subside, to be replaced by disinterest. He’ll be the richest loser in the news, no matter how many more tournaments he wins.
Cammi317
February 18th, 2010
11:30 am
My daughter gets an hour of “downtime” when she gets home. During that time she fixes herself a snack and watches Netflix. After that she does homework, eats dinner and prepares for the next day. I dropped cable long ago and there is not too much that she is interested in on network television. However if everything is done early because of a light homework night, I will sometimes let her pop in a DVD until bedtime.
DB
February 18th, 2010
11:47 am
@5!!!: Why do President Obama have to “set a good example” with the way he and Mrs. Obama parents their children/
I look to the President of the United States to lead and represent our country, not play Dr. Spock (or whatever the current fad is now.) I don’t expect him to be an expert parent — that’s not what he was elected to do.
We make a mistake when we expect ANY celebrity — i.e., Obama, Tiger Wood, etc. — to do anything other than what we pay them to do: run a country, hit a golf ball. Assuming that strengths in one area make them superhuman in all areas is just bizarre.
DB
February 18th, 2010
11:50 am
(Wow, lots of mistakes in that first paragraph! Sorry, an all-nighter is definitely making itself felt!) It should be: Why does President Obama have to “set a good example” with the way he and Mrs. Obama parent their children?
Cammi317
February 18th, 2010
11:50 am
I on the other hand watch entirely too much. I rarely ever watch live tv, but after my daughter is down for the night I am glued to old shows on Netflix or whatever I missed that I can catch online on the networks or Hulu. I am big legal/mystery/detective show fan, so some nights I will watch episode after episode of reruns of shows like NCIS, Law & Order, Ironside, Qunicy M.E., etc. Anyone have any insomnia tricks?
Tiger needs me on his PR team
February 18th, 2010
12:03 pm
@Cammi317…I recommend good porn…once you get through the parts that most “interest” you, it’s the equivalent of three ambien!
Wayne
February 18th, 2010
12:04 pm
@Tiger: LOL… ain’t THAT the truth. Not that I would know…
Tiger needs me on his PR team
February 18th, 2010
12:13 pm
@Wayne…yeah, I’m sure I’m the only one who knows this first hand (pun intended).
Wayne
February 18th, 2010
12:17 pm
You’re killin’ me here…!
5!!!
February 18th, 2010
12:43 pm
“Why does President Obama have to “set a good example” with the way he and Mrs. Obama parent their children?”
Well, he doesn’t HAVE to set an example, but it appears he is trying to anyway and I think thats good.
You’re right that celebrities shouldn’t be expected to do or be anymore than what they are, but its nice when they do try.
I know if I could get my son batting lessons from Brian McCann for example, I would only expect him to show my kid how to hit, however, if he also told my son to stay in school and work hard, it would make me happy.
JJ
February 18th, 2010
12:45 pm
Cammi317 – try a couple of advil right before you go to bed, and if possible, turn on your radio, low and if you have “sleep” setting, set it for about 20 minutes. Tha’s my trick to insomnia..
catlady
February 18th, 2010
12:47 pm
As a teacher, I can tell you a lot about kids’ TV/video/Nintendo watching based on what I see at school. How do I know? I ask the kids what they watch, and I talk to their parents when they come in to find out why Johnny is failing, or in trouble (again) for aggressive behavior. Not saying it is causation, but it does make you wonder…
DB
February 18th, 2010
12:58 pm
@5!!!: I guess what I see as a “problem” (not sure it warrants being a full-blown problem, but we’ll see) is that those poor girls weren’t elected to the White House — their father was. Yes, they will have zillions of opportunities to have a unique insight into events. But in return, they get strangers debating how much TV they should watch, and turning their TV viewing, such as it is, into some sort of commentary on effective celebrity parenting. And, personally, I grow weary when I contemplate the next few years being a combination of governing, statesmanship and parenting tips. *sigh*. So far, in just the last couple of weeks, we’ve debated the girls’ weight (”does “chubby” count as being derogatory?) and now their TV viewing habits. What’s next — the length of their skirts? Their grades? This was on top of last year’s breathless anticipation as to what kind of DOG they were going to get. Sheesh. I guess I get annoyed when parenting commentaries made by the Obamas are received like the Oracle of Delphi. It works for them — but they are, by no means, living an ordinary life. No kid with that many bodyguards is living a normal life. Privacy is a rare commodity these days — and getting rarer by the minute for these girls.
5!!!
February 18th, 2010
1:01 pm
” I ask the kids what they watch, and I talk to their parents when they come in to find out why Johnny is failing, or in trouble (again) for aggressive behavior.”
This doesn’t seem to be an issue with my son. While he doesn’t watch a lot of tv, I don’t feel the need to monitor what he does watch or read. He seems to get that there is a behavior that is expected of him and just because fictional or nonfictional other people may behave differently, he does not.
For example, on this blog there was a topic about “The Diary of A Wimpy Kid” book series, so I bought those for him. The blog was about how they might be a bad influence due to language. After reading the series, my 6 year old did start asking me questions like, “Is that guy a moron?” but I would just say, “Yes, he is a total moron, however, you aren’t allowed to say that about him cause it might hurt his feelings”. So he doesn’t say it.
Cammi317
February 18th, 2010
1:09 pm
LOL@Tiger…I guess the almost 5 years of celibacy is getting to me! JJ, I’ll give it a try. Thanks for the tip!
FCM
February 18th, 2010
1:12 pm
My child was grounded from TV last night. She left her viola and her Reading text book at school (AGAIN!!!). I told her Tuesday that if she failed to bring the Reading home (she has a packet due tomorrow and none is done) there would be no TV.
Rule at my house is show me the work is done and we will DISCUSS TV. We will also discuss computers, toys etc.
The other child has no problem getting her stuff to me and watched Survior (On Demand) with me after she got done playing with her Barbies. The child banned from TV sat where I could see her (so I could see what she was doing) and when done with what I gave her to do, entertained herself by reading my HS Yearbooks. ROFL
Is it harsh because, like the Superbowl ads, you relate and think maybe your kids watch too much tv?
As to them over doing the tv later, I doubt it. It could happen but it is more likely they will have a good many other things to occupy their time in college.
Tiger, as usual your arguments are spot on.
Tiger needs me on his PR team
February 18th, 2010
1:14 pm
@Cammi317……If you’re still having trouble after JJ’s suggestion, don’t discount my effective (albeit unorthodox) suggestion!
Cammi317
February 18th, 2010
1:16 pm
LOL…I think that’s more of a guy favorite activity. Not that I haven’t seen a flick or two in my day. I’ll keep it in mind.
Tiger needs me on his PR team
February 18th, 2010
1:18 pm
@FCM..thanks…not sure why I took this one to heart so much!
Tiger needs me on his PR team
February 18th, 2010
1:18 pm
@Cammi….free your mind and your insomnia will follow!
FCM
February 18th, 2010
1:36 pm
“not play Dr. Spock (or whatever the current fad is now.) ” Dr. Spock’s kids turned out MUCKED UP! I wouldn’t look to Spock or POTUS for how to raise kids.
Then again I would never look to the gov’t for how to raise kids.
Magenta
February 18th, 2010
2:34 pm
Though I didn’t read the article, I have a hunch that the “no TV on school nights” is NOT the same as “walk in the door and get right into homework.” More likely, the girls have other activities on school nights, such as conversation, board games, outings, etc. in addition to homework. I think that’s the point — yes, they have leisure time, but it isn’t check-your-brains-at-the-door time. If your dad were the president, do you think anybody could make you just sit and do homework without a little conversation first?
Magenta
February 18th, 2010
2:48 pm
Well, okay, I read the article, and it does sound like homework dominates the weekday after-school period. But I still doubt that they get bales of homework every night, or that they have to do it in silence. It’s easier to do homework if there’s some constructive interaction (something other than commercials or ringing cell phones).
motherjanegoose
February 18th, 2010
3:02 pm
POST evaporated, so I will try again….
THIS IS OFF TOPIC BUT RELATED TO THE CUSTOMER SERVICE POST I SHARED ABOUT BANK OF AMERICA ON THE BLOG WHERE THE MOM WAS MAD AT US AIR
TODAY, Clark Howard ( consumer advocate) shared that Bank of America got an F in customer service. Of the big banks more customers appear to be unhappy with their service than most others..
I laughed when I heard this on WSB radio. There are many days that I state my opinion on this blog and others will condemn me, even though I know I am not the only one holding such an opinion.
Today, I am validated ( in perhaps one opinion only LOL) as there may be thousands out there who can vouch that my thoughts about Bank of America are perhaps more right than wrong.
@ Wayne, guess we weren’t the only ones were we? Yes, we do plan to ride the Ducks when we come to Boston. We took the Old Towne Trolley Tour twice and loved it. It is supposed to be sunny and in the upper 50’s this weekend here, so it will have to warm up before we make our way up from Atlanta!
Wayne
February 18th, 2010
3:59 pm
Funny, we were talking about banks at our team meeting today (I haven’t a clue as to why) and most of us stated that we dislike BofA greatly. Hmmm… I don’t wonder why!
The Duck Tours are great as the drivers really liven them up.
HB
February 18th, 2010
5:33 pm
Has BofA ever been good? I had an account there in college because it was the only bank located both in my hometown and Atlanta, but I never liked them. I kept them the year after I graduated because I worked in their big building downtown and it was convenient, but would have switched to a credit union in Decatur if I had stayed longer. Ever since, I’ve sought out local or regional banks and had far better experiences.
And Duck Tours rock! I loved that the Patriots used the duck boats for their Super Bowl parade in 2002 (I lived in Providence at the time). Did the Red Sox do the same after winning the World Series?
FCM
February 18th, 2010
5:33 pm
MJG make sure to get to Fanheil Hall (Sp?) early as it is usually very crowded. Great place to go though. As is the Christian Science Monitor and the old court house. I cannot wait to take my 2 up to Boston (in the fall of course!!!) to check out the things they have started learning about. Want to go to Philly too, never been there myself.
FCM
February 18th, 2010
5:34 pm
oh and the red and green is great for getting around. Wayne if I have this wrong correct me!
MomsRule
February 18th, 2010
5:50 pm
MJG, didn’t you mentioned the other day that you’ve been with BofA for 20 years? If their customer service is so bad why are you still there? I’m not being judgmental, I am honestly wondering.
I have never banked with BofA so I have no personal experience.
motherjanegoose
February 18th, 2010
9:09 pm
@ MomsRule, because I travel all over the US and they are one bank that is accessible in most all states, if the need arises. I have my business account with BofA and my personal account with a local bank….I adore. Perfectly good question and I hope I answered it.
@ FCM, we have been twice to Boston and it is such a neat place. Last trip we drove down to Mystic CT…where they made the movie MYSTIC PIZZA with Julia Roberts. Beautiful!
Philly is great too. We took our kids on the horse and buggy ride near the Liberty Bell and they told us so many historical things that fascinated the kids. Swing by Hershey PA while you are there…the smell of chocolate is everywhere!
Rhode Island, New Hampshire and Vermont are awesome in the fall too!
Your girls may also like Williamsburg….we did. Funny story…we were at Williamsburg with our family and ran into our neighbors, around the corner, who were there on the same day….small world!
DB
February 19th, 2010
12:02 pm
MJG: We love Williamsburg, but goodness, it’s gotten expensive in the last few years!! Growing up, it was our 4th grade class trip (Virginia history, and all that stuff). The kids have always enjoyed the costumes and the “old fashioned” stuff. My family is in central Virginia, so we used it as a “staging area” one spring break — went to DC for a couple of days, then over to Monticello, then over to Williamsburg (and Busch Gardens, so as not to bore the kids completely with history!) While in Williamsburg, who should we see but my son’s teacher — she was spending her spring break in the area, too! We didn’t know before we left, and you can imagine the look on my son’s face when he hears an oh-so-familiar voice booming across Duke of Gloucester St: “____ ____!!” He jumped a mile! We ended up having lunch with her, and it was a great treat for him to get to know her outside the classroom.
Uconn
February 19th, 2010
12:31 pm
*SIGH* …. You guys talking about new england makes me homesick …
motherjanegoose
February 19th, 2010
2:16 pm
@ DB, we went right after 911 and I received an e-mail about a a special for 2 nights at the Hampton Inn, 2 dinners of prime rib or steak ( good too) and 2 tickets to Williamsburg for like $250. It was amazing and then we added on the kid’s tickets and dinners ( not a timeshare viewing). I have no idea how much it is now. I do think it is one place all families should try to get to.
MamaC
February 26th, 2010
9:40 am
I think it’s awesome our Prez. is against TV during the week. TV is just mindless entertainment anyway. In my house, its just me and my daughter in the evenings. The only way I get a few minutes of uninterrupted time after a long work day is T.V. I let my 5 year old watch one 30 minute show. Just long enough for her to relax a few minutes and for me to change clothes and take a short walk with the dog. (There are other adults in the house, I don’t leave her alone.) We have “movie night” once a week, which means I get that time to take care of some chores/work/relax/cook/etc while she watches a movie. I really hate how around 6-7PM the basic cable networks air only shows for preteens and teens. They don’t offer shows for smaller kids at that time. Flipping through the channels after work the “kids” shows are violent cartoons, sitcoms demonstrating bad behavior, young kids dating, being obsessed with clothes and looks. Thank goodness for the DVR. I wouldn’t let her watch T.V. without it.
Teacher-Mommy
March 10th, 2010
11:17 pm
I’m a teacher and I think that the best “down time” that kids can have is active play in the fresh air! That having been said, TV and media use in the home should be left to the up parent to monitor, but many parents do not. We monitored and limited TV watching and WE MADE SURE THAT THE ONLY VIDEO GAMES THAT CAME INTO OUR HOUSE WERE THE HAND HELD UNITS THAT WE COULD TAKE AWAY WHEN REPORT CARDS AND INTERIM REPORTS INDICATED THAT OUR KIDS WERE NOT WORKING UP TO THEIR POTENTIAL. No big playstations in the family room and no bedroom TVs. It worked out great! The kids are now readers who make the library or the bookstore a mandatory stop when beginning a college break. The oldest earns a Phd in May, so if he wants to watch TV in his “down time,” I’m fine with it. We’ve done our job!
Frugality Isn’t Deprivation. It’s Doing The Kids (and you) a Favor | Frugal Hacks
March 12th, 2010
7:00 am
[...] Theresa Walsh Giarrusso says: I have to say that seems a little bit harsh. My kids, and I’m sure President Obama’s kids, [...]
Denice
March 15th, 2010
9:29 am
The difference between a parent watching an hour of TV every day to “wind down” and a child doing the same,is that, well, one is the adult and one is the child. And one has no say in the matter (for those of you who don’t run your household the way, the one who does not get a vote is the child). Children wo don’t get what they wants whine a bit more, I’m sure, but in the end I don’t care because disagreeing with your parents is part of growing up. And it’s temporary. The children will hardly recall how they were deprived from technology on their wedding day or the day they graduate from college. If your child’s life is so hard they need to wind down in front of the TV than perhaps something else needs to change. Look to yourself first, parents.
Kathy
September 20th, 2010
6:17 pm
Parents have the right to decide the best activity for their children. Parents know their children best and can probably determine the best wind down activity. i would love for my son to sit and watch TV a while but he won’t. He gets a snack and is ready to run outside, he says he has been sitting most of the day he feels the need for some activity. Many times it depend on the kids mood as to what activity he wants to wind down. So for the first hour after school the kids should have a choice.