Saturday, February 9, 2008

Are kids these days over stimulated?

Owen is out of town for 5 days for a job interview, and I'm really trying to keep myself sane while he's gone. Last night Maggie's school had a night at the movies in the gym. We all brought our blankets, folding chairs, and they served popcorn, nachos and hotdogs. Many a people crowded in the gym to watch "Ratatouille" on the big screen. ABout half way through the movie it all started--kids were up and down, and up and down, back and forth, running through the halls, and lots of talking. I was a little annoyed because I myself have never seen the movie, and everyone kept walking in front of me. Now I realize that most kids have probably already seen this movie, if not own it. Were they bored, or are kids watching too much T.V. these days, that watching a movie isn't a treat anymore? I started thinking about my elementary days, and if my school put something like this on, you can guarantee that it would be a hit, and we all would have stayed in the gym to enjoy the movie rather that getting up and down for more food, and running through the halls. That's another thing, the kids are more into the food than the movie! Now my kids aren't perfect by any means, and we do own a television, and several movies, and sometimes I wonder if they are bored while they are watching t.v. Once they start watching t.v. on their heads, or are constantly in the kitchen wanting to eat while they're vegging, the t.v. is off. I think kids these days are just so different than we were growing up. Man, I'm starting to sound like my mom!

6 comments:

Amy, Spencer, and Kids said...

Holy crap! It's the Sanders! This is crazy! Tonight I was just googling old names from "the dimly lighted city and blah blah" and here you kids are!

It's great to see you guys and the kids and the whole craziness that became of you.

Drop me a line sometime if you get a chance!
Spencer Packer
packerspencer@gmail.com
http://the4frickets.blogspot.com

Sheila said...

I totally agree. My kids whine for a movie and then by the middle they are bouncing off the walls for something else to do. I will say I like the DVD player in the truck, built right into the ceiling! What did we do on long trips? Looking out the window isn't what it used to be! :)

Tamar and Trevor said...

Emma is my movie watcher. She could sit all day and watch tv if I let her. She hardly watches any now that she is in school though. Sometimes I wish that Abby would watch more tv so I could get things done! You are right about kids expecting more these days, it is harder to keep them happy!

Sharisse said...

So true! I told Cambri a few weeks ago that she can't watch very much tv or her head will turn to mush. That afternoon she came up to me and said,"Mom, do I have smash on my head?". She turns the tv off after 2 shows now. Ryan and I get a kick out of it, but there is some truth to what I told her. You are awesome Holly! I can always count on you to read my postings and leave comments on my blog. It makes it feel more worth the effort! Thanks!

jor said...

There are so many different ways to look at this topic. I do think kids are way overstimulated...you can barely find a toy at the store that doesn't have batteries, musics, and lights. But, on the flip side I like that my kids rarely make it through a whole movie...they usually get up and decide to color or build legos instead, which I'd much rather have them do. Plus, my family thought the RAt. movie was pretty lame.

Hope the rest of your single mom days went ok!!

Cannon Fam said...

I know what you mean! I hardly ever watched tv as a kid, I was outside playing all day with all the other neighborhood kids. I'm constantly telling my kids, "Go play, we're not watching another movie!"