At the library yesterday I overheard two moms talking. One was saying that she had decided to allow her little boy (probably 18 months) to watch one video a week. Once, four years ago, that was me. I smiled, admiring her idealism and sharing her sentiment. I also wanted to (and did, for most of Cate's first year) use cloth diapers. I thought about making my own baby food. We bought a lot of baby food that never got eaten. Guacamole is much more enjoyable for all of us.
I have had some wonderful days with my children this week, fascinated by how they learn and play and experience the world. And videos? Yes, we watch them. But half of our days this week were video and TV-free (now an accomplishment in my willpower, because Cate certainly asks and asks and asks.) We keep our TV in the basement, and we may not get the converter box come Feb 17. (We may be one of those "unprepared" households who might fall off the face of the earth. I kindof say "bring it on.") I have found my children like to read stories as much as they like to watch a video. They also like some very noble and beautiful musicals Fiddler on the Roof (see photo for my girls singing Matchmaker) and Sound of Music. I th
ink they have the stomach for these rich works of art because they have not been fed a steady diet of whatever awful kid shows and commercials are on TV.I love how they play and sing and are mostly oblivious to all the latest fad toys and clothing they could have. I love how they don't like most Disney movies because the villains are scary. Sheltered? Possibly. But sheltered for the right reasons and from the pop kid culture that is only preparing them to be consumer adults. Let them be kids. Let them sing their hearts out, enjoy the sunshine, make messes having real tea parties, build with blocks, cuddle with mom, romp around with dad.
Sometimes I just need to remind myself why I'm trying to do things the way I am doing them, and why I want to homeschool. Perhaps that is what this post is about. I'd love for us to be able to do "one video a week" but for now we limit as much as we can, and we are sure to spend time outside, read tons of books, get our hands dirty finger painting. Maybe when we have a clothesline outside and I am not working the cloth diapers will come out of their box again, too.
