“You let your child watch…(gulp)…THE DISNEY CHANNEL!?”

Most parents fall into one of three camps on this topic: first, television will ruin your child, the second is that television is beneficial to you AND your child and third, why does anyone think my child’s television watching is any of their business?

This is an incredibly touchy subject with a lot of parents.  Some people are so vehemently of one opinion that they take every chance they can to lecture from their chosen soap box.  Whenever the subject has come up in a conversation I have seen equal reactions from both sides, pro-tv and no-tv.  There have been people from both camps who react with timid embarrassment when asked for their opinion.  Just as frequently I encounter parents who launch into a detailed, dramatic defense of their choice.  The point? Everyone has an opinion.  How should these opinions effect you?  Well, they shouldn’t.

Chris and I are okay with Addie watching tv.  We have many reasons why it works in our family and the benefits we see in our daughter keep us from swaying about our choice.  There have been numerous occasions when people have laid their judgement about our decision on THICK.  I have accepted the fact that everyone thinks they know best and will do what they can to prove their parenting superiority. So I politely listen to their semi-inappropriate comments and then stick to my guns.  If they are still pushy I tell them that Addie knew all her letters by 18 months with many thanks to Word World on PBS.  And then I want to tell them to mind their own business…but I usually manage to bite my tongue.

So, new parent, as you and your child approach the stage where you need to make this decision here is what I want you to remember: YOU are the parent and will do what is best for YOUR child.  Your cousin or Aunt or Mother-in-law may disagree with you but it helps to remember that their decision was made based on a different child. Not yours. Tune into your kid when he/she is watching television.  Are they interacting? Learning? Moving around? Being presented with concepts they wouldn’t learn from stacking legos? Every kid reacts differently.  Some kids turn into unresponsive lumps when they watch a show – maybe their watching should be limited!  It’s your job as mom or dad to decide what is best.

I’m not telling you to ignore the supportive cast of people in your life, just don’t let them bully you into changing your stance on important parenting decisions.  Be CONFIDENT that you are good at your (parenting) job.

I wish you good luck, fellow parent, stay strong!