Monday, February 12, 2007

Maybe I Should Just Let Them Watch TV

In the past few weeks, Lydia (5) and Nolan (2) have become great playmates. Yes, they still fight some, but it has been a lot less than normal. Lydia will teach Nolan during school. It is so cute. "Nolan, this is the letter b, it says 'b,'" she says. It warms my heart.

They play all kinds of games together. They have named them; sweeties, honeys, Star Wars, mom & dad, and bad guys to mention a few. I love to watch them playing together, and to see their vivid imaginations. It surprises me, how much pretend Nolan is able to do, but I suppose that is just a by product of watching two older siblings.

It is wonderful, except for two things. No matter what they call the game they are playing, every game seems to involve either running between the kitchen and living room, or taking every single toy from one place to another. (sometimes both!) Usually, the toys are coming from bedrooms, and being put under the dining room table. The table is the fort, the house, the space ship or car depending on the game.

It's not so much that I mind toys under the table, but I do mind that when they are done playing, the toys are still under the table. I do mind that although they were able to move all the toys to the table, they believe they are physically incapable of moving toys back where they belong.

Add to this picture, that while they are moving all their earthly possessions under the table, Vivian (almost one) is pulling everything out of any drawer, cupboard, bag or box she can get her hands on. While I am at the computer, she pulls everything out of the diaper bag. While I'm brushing my teeth, she pulls out all the washcloths from the drawer. It looks like the whole house has exploded most days.

Obviously, Vivian is not going to clean up after herself, but Lydia, certainly, and Nolan, to a point, should be able to put toys back where they belong. It is such a battle, but it is one of those battles you know you have to fight. It would be faster just to do it myself, but I firmly believe they need to learn to clean up the messes they make.

This leads me to think. . . they don't make messes when they watch T.V. They don't run through the house either. They sit there in a zombie like stare at the screen. Hmmm. . . maybe. . . Should I trade messy, creative play, and the battle that comes after, for neat, zoned out in front of the T.V. kids? Very tempting, but I think I'll pass.

22 comments:

  1. I can totally relate! I tell my husband, these kids just carry toys and drop them all day long! If it can be picked up and moved it is and then there is a mess ALL over the house. I have to remind myself that they're making memories and enjoying their childhood and ignore the mess until clean up time, but more often I find myself telling them "those toys ARE NOT in the play area!!" :) I guess we have to let them be kids and teach them how to be kids that clean up after themselves :)

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  2. I am SOOO guilty on the TV issue! Little one does have a tv in his room with cable *head hung in shame*, but some days it is the ONLY way I can study. Yes, that's my excuse!

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  3. Just lurked my way in here from the owlhaven comments section, and I'm so relieved that your children, spaced 3 yrs apart, play together and get along sometimes now. My older daughter is not at all fond of her baby sister, and has no interest in her other than to experiment with hurting her, or taking toys away from her, or screaming in her face and other lovely things :( I am strengthened each time I hear that it will get better~!

    (honestly, I'll try and remember to appreciate when they make messes together, because from my vantage point though it's messy, you're in a good place if they're playing together and the older one is being kind to the younger one!)

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  4. Jude and Elise do the same thing. They won't leave their toys in their own rooms. Jude puts his in her room and visa versa. Then they start bringing them into my room, the living room, kitchen, etc.... They like to follow me. They do play well together most of the time. When they get mad they scream at the top of their lungs...trying to out scream each other. It is annoying.

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  5. I know what you mean :) - but we too passed the TV and went for the messy fun!

    Here via Carnival of Family Life :)

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  6. I can see how the tv would be a tempting option. Just think of how good all the creative play is for their minds.

    Here via the carnival of family life.

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  7. Surfing from the PPP Carnival...

    Having BTDT, I can tell you that the TV would lose its appeal after a while and they'd be back to their antics in no time, anyway. ;-)

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  8. I'm a TV addict, but didn't watch a lot as a child. I wonder if that's why I like it so much now?

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  9. An incite into what I can look forward to in the future...no, wait...the house is already a mess with toys everywhere ::sigh::

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  10. Here from the PPP Carnival-my kids have their toys EVERYWHERE! During the week they don't watch much TV, but on the weekends I figure if my husband and I can zone out in front of it, the boys can too. We do watch a lot of TV and movies as a family, too.

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  11. I can totally relate to that. I shut off our cable about 7 years ago because of the zombie behavior and what they were learning from it.
    Not all tv is bad mind you, there are some great educational programs on it, I just prefer to have much more control over what they see and hear.

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  12. Your post made me laugh. I have a three year old and I can completely relate.

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  13. Heh I wish tv did that to my son sometimes, but it doesn't. I have the tv on most of the day and he is bouncing around the house doing much of what you have said only to take pause in front of the tv from time to time.

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  14. Mother with TV-guilt signing in here!

    Oh boy, though, sometimes it is such a hard choice to make - and some days, for everyone's sanity - the evil zombie-maker simply must be called upon!!

    Great post - reminds me of some sweet times!

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  15. I hear ya! I resort to having them watch TV when I want to get the house picked up! At least they are not making new messes.

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  16. Nicely said...It's funny how when the TV or computer or video is turned off, how easily the creativity comes out. Mine goes right to Legos and building!

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  17. I think you are doing the right thing. TV can make zombies out of kids. They will grow up so fast.

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  18. Oh, I have to agree with what others have said: the TV might work for a little while, but they'll be back to their regular behavior in no time! I'm busy picking up after my 4-year-old all day long...

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  19. Boy does this post sound familiar!

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  20. Hey! How did you get into my life?? LOL Only my kids are 14 and 7

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  21. LOL the fighting carries over to the tv watching too...when mine are watching tv they fight over who gets the remote and whether to watch disney or animal planet.

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  22. Hhahah, my Mum said when I was small, I'd just sit quietly in front of the idiot box instead of running all over the house.

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