The defining moment of Park Slope Parents' stupidity

wtgirl

I think all sane parents use some form of babysittnig (T.V., computer time)--it is a long day and you do have to cook or order take out or talk on the phone or whatnot. That being said....no question that all the studies are showing that the computer and T.V. rewires the plastic brains of young children. If you want your kids to be readers--and all studies seem to show that reading promotes intellect--you do need to limit their time on these two passive mediums. The Baby Einstein series was such a terrible scam to earnest parents wanting to do the best for their kids.

AND....the Frontline special two weeks on the Teen brain made me decide my kids (as much as they scream and kick) are NOT getting Nintendo games. they can play them at their Park Slope friends houses.

caseopele

redmenace, that's beautiful and a wonderful tribute to your mother.

jamzer

Its pretty funny reading comments from people who have raised nothing but cats or dogs criticize other people's parenting skills. I can't say I really blame them too much. I did the same thing when I was first married and planning to have kids of my own. Its fun and it made me feel superior, but I assure you, you will become much less judgmental when you have to do it yourself.

bobfuller

raw wrote: Now listen up Chipster, not all of us can be a perfect parent like you are or will be...kids need a LOT of stimulation. I've had a long day. Give the kids the Internet...cookies...anything.

Raw - I am going to guess that you don't have kids.

caseopele

Jamzer wrote: Its pretty funny reading comments from people who have raised nothing but cats or dogs criticize other people's parenting skills. I can't say I really blame them too much. I did the same thing when I was first married and planning to have kids of my own. Its fun and it made me feel superior, but I assure you, you will become much less judgmental when you have to do it yourself.

It doesn't require having a child to know bad parenting when you see it. I was a child myself once (shocking, I know!) who was raised by a single mother. My mother would tell you that I was a pretty good kid. That's not to say I wasn't a handful at times but I would have never done half the things I've seen some kids do in the past 10 years. And let me state for the record that I worked for the BoE in special ed for 4 years with emotionally disturbed and autistic children. So I'm pretty good at telling the difference between those children and children whose parents never tell them "no".

yoda

caseopele wrote: [quote=Jamzer]Its pretty funny reading comments from people who have raised nothing but cats or dogs criticize other people's parenting skills. I can't say I really blame them too much. I did the same thing when I was first married and planning to have kids of my own. Its fun and it made me feel superior, but I assure you, you will become much less judgmental when you have to do it yourself.

It doesn't require having a child to know bad parenting when you see it. I was a child myself once (shocking, I know!) who was raised by a single mother. My mother would tell you that I was a pretty good kid. That's not to say I wasn't a handful at times but I would have never done half the things I've seen some kids do in the past 10 years. And let me state for the record that I worked for the BoE in special ed for 4 years with emotionally disturbed and autistic children. So I'm pretty good at telling the difference between those children and children whose parents never tell them "no".

That's what you say now but you'll eat your words once you have your own (if that happens).

willregistersoon

Apparently this is the site the person on the PSP website was looking for:

http://www.starfall.com

I don't see what's so wrong with it. Its not just a site that teaches them to say the alphabet - its more of a precursor to learning to read it seems. I have a 15 mo old son now and I sometimes put him on my lap and go to sesamestreet.com and click around with him, etc. He likes it and is definatley learning from it. It's almost like reading him a book but it's more interactive and dynamic. What's wrong with that?

He just started becoming interested in TV and we're trying to limit how much he watches. He only likes one show and usually loses interest after some time. It really does come in handy every so often when I have to do something and need to distract him for a while. We limit it to one show in the morning and one show at night. In the warm weather I'd much rather take him outside on these days but with the winter weather, it seems inevitable to watch some TV here and there.

And P.S. : I definately agree that PSP group is often ridiculously absurd - so much so that I stopped reading it. I just don't think this alphabet thing is a good example of the absurdity.

the chipster

[I don't see what's so wrong with it. Its not just a site that teaches them to say the alphabet - its more of a precursor to learning to read it seems. I have a 15 mo old son now and I sometimes put him on my lap and go to sesamestreet.com and click around with him, etc. He likes it and is definatley learning from it. It's almost like reading him a book but it's more interactive and dynamic. What's wrong with that?

He just started becoming interested in TV and we're trying to limit how much he watches.

Perfect example of postmodernist thinking. Yep, where everyone's children are above average no matter what the facts are.
It is not a precursor to learning. Kids pick up tech skills in a nano-second.
There are so many things wrong with that sentence.--definatley do the research yourself.
And good luck if you're "trying to limit how much he watches" now. Wait until he's 4.
I am a parent. I didn't let my kids on the computer until they were in pre K. They never see me watch porn either, cause even though they seem to like it, and learn from it, :P I know they'll figure it out on their own.
Passive looking and recognition; playing with things that beep and light up do not equal learning. No batteries required in teaching your children.
Wish us all luck with these Indigo Children. (perfect reference; and no relation to child's name which is quite lovely )
America will have a generation of not-so-bright kids with very, very high self esteem, because we have no better rejoinder than: Cause they like it!!?
But as each person says, while their head is in the sand, "What's wrong with that?"

yoda

The Chipster wrote: [I don't see what's so wrong with it. Its not just a site that teaches them to say the alphabet - its more of a precursor to learning to read it seems. I have a 15 mo old son now and I sometimes put him on my lap and go to sesamestreet.com and click around with him, etc. He likes it and is definatley learning from it. It's almost like reading him a book but it's more interactive and dynamic. What's wrong with that?

He just started becoming interested in TV and we're trying to limit how much he watches.

Perfect example of postmodernist thinking. Yep, where everyone's children are above average no matter what the facts are.
It is not a precursor to learning. Kids pick up tech skills in a nano-second.
There are so many things wrong with that sentence.--definatley do the research yourself.
And good luck if you're "trying to limit how much he watches" now. Wait until he's 4.
I am a parent. I didn't let my kids on the computer until they were in pre K. They never see me watch porn either, cause even though they seem to like it, and learn from it, :P I know they'll figure it out on their own.
Passive looking and recognition; playing with things that beep and light up do not equal learning. No batteries required in teaching your children.
Wish us all luck with these Indigo Children. (perfect reference; and no relation to child's name which is quite lovely )
America will have a generation of not-so-bright kids with very, very high self esteem, because we have no better rejoinder than: Cause they like it!!?
But as each person says, while their head is in the sand, "What's wrong with that?"

Hey, I have an idea - why don't YOU lay on us some of your most excellent parent rearing techniques? That way we'll know for sure we're doing it correctly.

willregistersoon

The Chipster wrote: [I don't see what's so wrong with it. Its not just a site that teaches them to say the alphabet - its more of a precursor to learning to read it seems. I have a 15 mo old son now and I sometimes put him on my lap and go to sesamestreet.com and click around with him, etc. He likes it and is definatley learning from it. It's almost like reading him a book but it's more interactive and dynamic. What's wrong with that?

He just started becoming interested in TV and we're trying to limit how much he watches.

Perfect example of postmodernist thinking. Yep, where everyone's children are above average no matter what the facts are.
It is not a precursor to learning. Kids pick up tech skills in a nano-second.
There are so many things wrong with that sentence.--definatley do the research yourself.
And good luck if you're "trying to limit how much he watches" now. Wait until he's 4.
I am a parent. I didn't let my kids on the computer until they were in pre K. They never see me watch porn either, cause even though they seem to like it, and learn from it, :P I know they'll figure it out on their own.
Passive looking and recognition; playing with things that beep and light up do not equal learning. No batteries required in teaching your children.
Wish us all luck with these Indigo Children. (perfect reference; and no relation to child's name which is quite lovely )
America will have a generation of not-so-bright kids with very, very high self esteem, because we have no better rejoinder than: Cause they like it!!?
But as each person says, while their head is in the sand, "What's wrong with that?"

Who said anything about being above average? All I said is that my son and I have fun on the computer toether and he's learning from it.

raw

Subject: Re: The defining moment of Park Slope Parents' stupidity

The Chipster wrote: >This was posted on Park Slope Parents, and forwarded to me:

Please help!
>
> Someone told me about a year ago about a web site for kids where they
> can learn an alphabet. I didn't save it as a bookmark and can't locate
> it now. I think it was affiliated with PBS television, something like
> Bright Stars or Raising Stars. If you know this web site or any
> similar, please share. Thanks.
>

Ah come on now. Can’t we all laugh at the original post and how desperate and helpless the parent seems? The parent states that he or she was searching for information on the “alphabet” that might be connected to “PBS.” Why beg for help on an online forum when you can type “alphabet” and “PBS” into google? Anyone fumbling around the Internet for “alphabet” information for over one minute should stick to Sesame Street on TV.

caseopele

yoda wrote: That's what you say now but you'll eat your words once you have your own (if that happens).

I do believe I've heard that one before and it's definitely not happening. But I certainly would have no trouble telling any hypothetical child of mine no.

wtgirl

[quote="caseopele" But I certainly would have no trouble telling any hypothetical child of mine no.

Ahhh if it were just so easy. Try having a 4 year old have a total meltdown at Fairway--and stick to your guns with NO (as I do) and watch the horrified yuppies smirk, roll their eyes at you, judge your lousy parenting skills as you carry the screaming, kicking child from the store (and thankfully watch the workers applaud you and say, 'that's right, be firm'). It isn't easy sticking to your guns in a fishbowl. And all kids need to go through a stage of acting out whether they get it out of their system at 3 or 4....it is just a tough part of parenting and growing up. Whatever. Parenting is a humbling and at times humiliating experience.

jamzer

caseopele wrote: [quote=Jamzer]Its pretty funny reading comments from people who have raised nothing but cats or dogs criticize other people's parenting skills. I can't say I really blame them too much. I did the same thing when I was first married and planning to have kids of my own. Its fun and it made me feel superior, but I assure you, you will become much less judgmental when you have to do it yourself.

It doesn't require having a child to know bad parenting when you see it. I was a child myself once (shocking, I know!) who was raised by a single mother. My mother would tell you that I was a pretty good kid. That's not to say I wasn't a handful at times but I would have never done half the things I've seen some kids do in the past 10 years. And let me state for the record that I worked for the BoE in special ed for 4 years with emotionally disturbed and autistic children. So I'm pretty good at telling the difference between those children and children whose parents never tell them "no".

It does not require being a parent to be critical of the job others do, but being a parent makes you appreciate how hard it is and does make you inclined to be a bit more tolerant. It is very easy to say that hypothetically you would say no, but saying no ALL OF THE TIME is simply impossible. Any parent would know that.

linusvanpelt

caseopele wrote: [quote=yoda]That's what you say now but you'll eat your words once you have your own (if that happens).

I do believe I've heard that one before and it's definitely not happening. But I certainly would have no trouble telling any hypothetical child of mine no.

Where do you get one of those hypothetical kids anyway? From what I read on here, they seem to be incredibly easy to raise. Probably because they have such wise, tireless and devoted hypothetical parents! Do you get them by having hypothetical sex?

queencallipygos

Jamzer wrote: It does not require being a parent to be critical of the job others do, but being a parent makes you appreciate how hard it is and does make you inclined to be a bit more tolerant.

Hmm. Some of the most vehement critics I've seen of another person's parenting have been other parents.

caseopele

I know it seems from my comments that I have nothing but criticism for parents but it's not true. The parents I'm talking about are ones who've never said no to their children, who have allowed them free reign their whole lives. I'm not talking about a kid having a meltdown in a store, it happens to the best kids and parents. I'm talking about parents who let their kids run laps, ride their scooters, jump rope(!), demand personal items from employees, run behind the counter to grab the cashier, all in a store filled with glass bottles. And while this is happening the parents are completely ignoring their kids (except for the one dad whose daughter ran behind the counter, he did take care of that). The only reason the kids stop is because another adult tells them to stop, which may or may not rouse the parents to notice what's happening.

Again, I understand a kid having a tantrum when tired or hungry. That's not what I have a problem with. And because of seeing behavior like the above when I see a parent with a well-behaved kid I compliment them both. Their response is usually surprise since they don't think they're doing anything special. I've been lucky enough to meet some amazing kids with great parents. But if I saw one of those kids have a meltdown because they were tired, hungry, not feeling well, I wouldn't think any less of them. It happens, I know it and parents know it, I don't judge based on one incident* and neither should they.

* Except for that one boy who slapped me on the ass outside work, gave me a "what are you going to do about it?" look, and the parents didn't even do anything.

the chipster

Subject: Re: The defining moment of Park Slope Parents' stupidity

raw wrote: [quote=The Chipster]>This was posted on Park Slope Parents, and forwarded to me:

Please help!
>
> Someone told me about a year ago about a web site for kids where they
> can learn an alphabet. I didn't save it as a bookmark and can't locate
> it now. I think it was affiliated with PBS television, something like
> Bright Stars or Raising Stars. If you know this web site or any
> similar, please share. Thanks.
>

Ah come on now. Can’t we all laugh at the original post and how desperate and helpless the parent seems? The parent states that he or she was searching for information on the “alphabet” that might be connected to “PBS.” Why beg for help on an online forum when you can type “alphabet” and “PBS” into google? Anyone fumbling around the Internet for “alphabet” information for over one minute should stick to Sesame Street on TV.

Sorry. We can neither laugh;nor criticize; nor make snide comments.
Thanks for trying to put this back in perspective. I mean, what kind of dolt can't google that crap herself?!
I never said I was the perfect parent, but I will not fall into the countless neurotic parenting traps laid out in our culture.
I like my children like I like my coffee, strong and bitter. :twisted: