Why we don't watch most children's movies and TV shows

In Sally Clarkson's book The Mission of Motherhood she shares something that at the time I found to be so profound. (paraphrasing) She says "Scripture tells us to guard our hearts above all else. We as adults have the ability to do that. We can turn off the TV, change the radio station, or choose to change locations. But our children depend on us to do that for them. We must be the ones to stand guard of their precious hearts."

I don't judge people that let their kids watch certain TV shows or movies. Each parent has to pray about it and come to that decision on their own. This post isn't meant to be judgmental or make it seem like we've got it figured out. But more of a post just sharing our thoughts on it. Parenting is a hard job and we certainly don't have it figured out. 

Once our children are introduced to something via TV, music, friends or by way of any other media there's no going back. They can't un-see what they've seen, heard, or witnessed. While they are little, right now our boys are 2 and 3, their media will be heavily monitored. 

I've heard the argument that children don't pick up on the "bad stuff" and that it's just entertaining.  I respectfully disagree. Their brains are sponges and they do pick up on so many things while watching TV. 

Here's a scene from the popular movie, Beauty and the Beast. 

I remember watching this scene in Beauty and the Beast as a young child. I also remember having the distinct thought that it's ok to be mean to certain people (the scene where they are making fun of Bell's father), that if I had a crush on a boy I'm suppose to fawn over him and wear revealing clothes, (don't laugh I really thought this. See video at 1:54-2:05), and just overall Gaston is not a man that kids need to be looking up to. I know he is small character in the movie but again kids pick up on these sorts of things. In the eyes of kids they see this man that everyone seems to be looking up to acting like a fool and that's a powerful influence in their innocent hearts.

I'm just using Beauty and the Beast as an example there are many. My biggest problem with a lot of these movies and TV shows is that there is too much adult content. I don't mean adult as in pornography. I mean adult as in love stories, murders, death, violence, crude humor, and bullying to name a few. (The Lion King, Cinderella, The Little Mermaid, Shrek)

There are very few shows the boys are allowed to watch. The three that we are ok with are Curious George, Barney, and Sid the Science Kid. All three of those shows are on PBS. The one Disney movie we let them watch is Finding Nemo. There are no love stories in the movie, and the boys get to see the consequences of a boy (or fish) disobeying his dad. And a father despite his son's disobedience unending love for his son. 

The boys don't get a lot of TV time. There are many days when it never gets turned on. But there are times when it's helpful; while making dinner, when a sitter is over, when I need to take a phone call, when I'm not feeling well or while we are traveling in a plane. 

Now we are not ultra-conservative, legalistic over- protective parents. But we do understand and take seriously the powerful influence media has on our kids. They have the rest of their lives to be adults and deal with adult problems. Today I want them to be little and their only worry be finding their lost baseball glove. 

We'll expand what they can watch as they get older and are able to process what's right and wrong. But for now we enjoy a mostly TV viewing free home. There is so much to do build blocks, forts, pre-school, dance to music, color, ride bikes, scavenger hunts outdoors, and the list could go on and on. 

What are your TV boundaries in your home?