Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Wonder Pets, Wonder Pets...

...we're on our way, to help a friend and save the day. We're not too big, and we're not too tough, but when we work together we've got the right stuff. Go Wonder Pets! Yeah!!

Not familiar with this tune. Well then you obviously haven't been to our home in the past six weeks. Wonder Pets is a cute little television show featuring a guinea pig, turtle, and duck who get phone calls to save other animals. They have to work together as a team to problem solve and save an animal. I really like the working together, problem solving, and the fact that there aren't any bad guys. That's our goal in the shows we let Abigail watch at this point. So we mostly stick with Blue's Clues and Wonder Pets. Nobody trying to take their stuff, nobody calling anyone stupid, well you get the point. We are pretty protective of her television watching.
But let me back up a little. We don't actually own a television. All we have is a computer. We received a Netflix subscription for Christmas so all of the shows Abigail watches are on there or on DVD. As a result we have discovered something pretty cool.
Abigail doesn't want anything. She never asks for the newest toy, doesn't have a Christmas list, and doesn't seem to even realize that there are Wonder Pet and Blue's Clues toys available in multiple aisles at a toy store somewhere. Nope. You see, Abigail doesn't see commercials. Nobody is telling her that she needs the newest, latest, look at this gadget and ask you parent to get it for you type of thing. This wasn't intentional on our part, but we will definitely keep it that way as long as possible. I just asked my almost three year old what she would like in her presents she gets for her birthday, her response, 'Big bubbles.' We can so do that.
It has also meant that our little girl has quite the imagination. She watches television about once or twice a week for 30-60 minutes at the very most. Some weeks she watches none. But if you come to our house it is almost guaranteed you will find multiple 'fly boats' being built with different stuffed animals inside and a little girl proclaiming loudly, 'Lenny, Tuck, and Abigail too (or whatever other things she decided to replace the names with). If you had been in Meijer this evening you would have listened to some rendition of that song for the hour we were in there (sorry to those of you who were in Meijer by the way). She can often be found with one of her 'notebooks' (the little tablets that are four for a dollar) putting clues in it and singing a Blue's Clues song.
Once we realized this we have decided to stick with the no commercials as long as possible. It's pretty interesting actually. Since we don't see commercials my 'need' for things has dropped drastically as well. I think the advertising business is good at convincing us we want or need something. I'm pretty happy living in ignorance of all the things I want or need that I don't know about!

Trying to live simply,

2 comments:

  1. Little Einsteins were the biggest show from 2 until..........4 for Isabella.

    Mine never really cared a whole lot for Wonder Pets or Blues Clues.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Sara also loves Wonder Pets and Blues Clues! We watch them all the time, especially when we need to pass the time while waiting for a doctor or testing at the hospital. We watch them on Netflix as well on my iPad. Love wifi!

    The other one she really likes is Pocoyo. This features a little boy and his animal friends, but what I love about it is that it is based on a white background so the kids really have to use their imagination. I'm not sure if its on Netflix, (I got it off iTunes) but if it is you should see if you like it as well. Sara loves it! They also deal with issues like sharing, respect, playing together, and being kind to others. They don't talk much, so there isn't any name calling or other negative words. Its mostly done with body language and facial expressions, also something I really like about it. Sara has become much more observant of other peoples emotions based on their faces since watching this show.

    You'll have to let me know what you think of it! Have a great day! :)

    ReplyDelete