I think the child blaming Dora was looking for justification, myself. I think that part’s not possible. Right??

In my latest TV debacle….my almost-9yo has started to like a little more sophisticated TV than Hannah Montana or Sponge Bob. Which is fine with me. I have a love-hate relationship with Disney in particular. It’s usually not objectionable, but it is so silly. And lots of Disney kids shows spend a lot more time than I would like focusing on clothes. Material goods. Etc. I hate that.

So over spring break, she and I watched several episodes of Seventh Heaven, which I didn’t even know existed before, despite its being one of the longest running TV shows ever. And I was so pleased. Here was a show that appealed to the 8yo, because it talked about real issues. It was a real-seeming family. It is funny. The kid her age [Ruthie] is sassy and quick-witted. I liked it b/c hey, these people are more conservative than I am! She can’t get exposed to anything here I don’t want her exposed to yet.

Sigh. I should have known better.

I read the Wikipedia entry, which included several episode descriptions of shows we haven’t seen yet. Dealing with things like self-multilation and anorexia.

Now, my 8yo knows that anorexia exists. But I’m not at all convinced it’s a good idea for her to watch a TV show about it. Now, reading about these other topics, I’m having a hard time figuring out what age group was SUPPOSED to watch this show. If it’s this appealing to my 8yo, could your 15yo have watched it with a straight face? I don’t see how.

I haven’t yet figured out how to explain it to the 8yo, but so far she’s only been mildly annoyed that the DVR for some strange reason has failed to record any additional episodes.

Well, I cut the post off there for dramatic effect. No, it wasn’t from Dora and according to an “anonymous” commenter at Chez Beziat, it could be attributed to grandma! LOL!

I liked 7th Heaven more in its early days. But as the show went on the characters, “Lucy” especially, became more annoying and the storylines became more outlandish. They thought they were “pushing the envelope” with the issues they addressed but mostly it was cheesy.

Oops! I just realized I didn’t link back to Chez’s post!! Sorry!!! I’ll fix it.

Hahahah I should have clicked thru myself to learn more. I hate to say it, but the 8yo had a similar incident when she was 2, and she heard the word in question from me. Sigh. That cleaned up my language quite a bit, I’ll say that much.

Exactly my thots on 7th Heaven — we have seen a couple episodes that I thought were just too much — fortunately not about an eating disorder — but I’m glad I went and read about where things are going….just too far. IMHO.

Laura,

You remind me that my parenting style, when it comes to these kind of things, has been kind of lax. Since the kids have been about six, we’ve filtered the usual cursing, graphic sex and violence, but when it comes to subjects, anything goes. Abortion is the only subject off-limits because we’re just not ready to have that discussion yet.

But eating disorders, racism, politics, pretty much everything: we haven’t shied away from anything. We use these moments as a stepping stone for an age-appropriate discussion.

Is our approach better? I have my doubts, and we won’t really know till they’re grown and see their first therapists. What’s done is done though.

We place a far higher emphasis on sheilding them from courseness (we’re Nashvillians - the highest sin is being rude). Therefore, we’ll allow a show that deals with, say, racism, but not one that has anything over PG cursing. Weird, now that I think about it.

That being said, I’m surprised at how uch cursing there is in Mythbusters

I seriously used to think Jesus’ middle name was F(*%&*^ because I heard my Dad say “Jesus F&*^%$& Christ” once.

So, yeah, kids pick up a lot. But they misconstrue a lot too.