What Are They Watching?

About 6 months ago  Charter Cable suddenly blessed me with a channel that has since decreased the quality of my parenting. Previously cartoons and toddler entertainment couldn’t be found on many channels other than PBS after 10am, so the TV was rarely on. But alas, Disney Jr. appeared in my line up and now, well, I will just admit I have the TV on probably a little too much. Not to mention that my 2 year old has already dropped naps so she is a beast by the time I am trying to prepare dinner, and Sheriff Callie tends to calm her.

I am not a horrible parent though; I don’t just plop them in front of the TV and go hide out in the bathroom (well sometimes for a few minutes). I watch with them and here is what I have found…….

1. Gaspard & Lisa –  Are they Scottie dogs or rabbits? I really can’t tell. They live in a world of humans and are the only talking animals but no one every comments on this? In their Parisian world they stop by the local bakery for croissants and fresh bread, but why is it that no one speaks with an accent, except when pronouncing each other’s names? I understand  every episode must have a problem and solution, but really Lisa, is everything is a CATASTROPHE?! These little dogs/bunnies need a reality check. (Not to mention someone to ask them why they never wear pants!)

2. Sofia the First – I am actually a Sophia fan. She teaches some great lessons on being oneself and kindness to friends, but what happened to her dad? What about the original Queen? QUICK, name a Disney princess that has two alive, happily married parents!! Can’t do it, can you? {Haven’t seen Brave yet but maybe she is the first adn only one.} It is just strange (yet consistent) that Disney seems to never demonstrate an alive, two parent unit.

3. Octonauts – Okay, I don’t even know where to begin. The Vegimals, as they are called, prepare the meals. Cannabalism anyone? Why is it called Octonauts? I would think that would be the term for octopi who venture into outer space. There is an octopus on the show, The Professor, but he has big ears like a dog – seriously confusing.  I will say this…my kids received the Octopod playset with the characters as a gift and they LOVE it. They will play with it, together, for long periods of time and it is a great tool for their pretend play and using their creativity.

4. Doc McStuffins – The tunes on this show are VERY catchy. We play the CD in the car all the time and it is definitely tolerable (okay, fine, I admit I sing along). However, like the “Toy Story” trilogy it causes me to have extreme guilt about throwing out old toys. “Stop looking at me that way broken car! I wish I had the magic stethoscope but I don’t! I am so sorry but you have to go in the trash!”. Also, there are some questionable episodes where they “fix” toys in a way that makes it seem like they will heal. However, according to our pediatrician this little gal has made his life INFINITELY easier at the office as kids understand he is just there to  “check their ears, check their eyes, find out how much they’ve grown”.

Some other observations…

I wish Handy Manny & Kelly’s constant cat and mouse game would come to fruition. Man up, Manny! Ask her out! Manny is so handy (even with only 4 fingers) I bet it could be a great special movie where he could whip up quite the Pinterest worthy wedding for her.

The Hugglemonsters are sweet, but Henry and his sister get along WAY too well…I am just waiting for the big explosion (in fact that is the only reason I tune in). Her constant singing bugs me, it is only a matter of time before he hits his breaking point as well.

Just ONCE I would like Mickey to not have a mouseketool that can do the job and have to get creative on his own. “What can we use to get the ball out of the top of the tree?” Give him a dang marshmallow Toodles and see what he can come up with on his own!

So, what are your favorite kid’s shows? Which ones have you saying “hmmmm”?