Earlier this month, Debbie Bookstaber, who blogs over at the fabulous mamanista.com, generously wrote a great column for us on why parents should relax a little and realize that TV is not the Antichrist. (A paraphrasing.) Her well-argued points and recommendations for wise TV-watching really hit home. So much so that we’re still hearing from parents empowered to admit that their kiddo occasionally eats breakfast in front of Dragon Tales. (Um, that would be me. But the only thing I regret? Oatmeal is so not a good food choice for the living room couch.)
After the jump, feel the love for Debbie.

Sandy wrote: This article should be widely circulated - perhaps distributed by pediatricians. It contains excellent advice and gives permission to parents to allow their children to be children.

Jean said: Finally a sane approach to TV viewing! Parents can help by picking the right programs and limiting TV time, but kids still need time to be kids too. I’m going to email this to all of my friends.

Debbie even got a shout-out at Ty’s Toybox:

Confession time: My favorite sort of mom-solidarity is when someone admits to letting her child watch [fill in the blank] television. (Fill in the blank with “too much” or “not exactly quality” or “totally annoying,” it’s up to you.)…Actually, I grew up on an insane amount of television, and I more or less turned out okay, so I do have trouble seeing TV as the evil I’m apparently supposed to believe that it is. I’m all about balance, though, so I do love the suggestions in the article for how to best keep TV in its rightful place…

So, see? You’re not alone in thinking TV-viewing doesn’t have to be a dirty little secret. Unless you’re letting your preschooler watch, like, Dexter. I’m pretty sure nobody wants to hear about that.

Keep those confessions comments coming. And note to Debbie: You can write for us any time.

Filed under General, Remote Control

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