Netflix and Cartoons

Recently we decided to add Netflix into our lives. We don't have cable or satellite or anything, but we like to watch movies, and the late fees for rentals were getting ridiculous, so Netflix was a good option for us. We still have all the control over what the kids watch, and the opportunity to budget better our rental fees.

We have a Wii, so we have been using the streaming option a lot. This allows you to watch on your TV several different movies or old television shows.

I'm starting to sound like a commercial. I don't mean to, I just want to make clear what I'm talking about before I explain what is happening in my house.

Because of the ease and availability, Tony has introduced several old cartoons into the lives of my children. I now have Becca asking to watch the Super Mario Super Show (a show that wasn't worth anything when it was on the air the first time, and now is worse) or Fat Albert. Ali is asking to watch Pink Panther shorts. Zoe asking for Tom and Jerry.

I sit and I watch, knowing how much physical comedy was in the old shows, and I start wondering why I am allowing my kids to watch them. Some are fine. I don't have any problem with Fat Albert, but Tom and Jerry and Pink Panther get pretty violent. I usually keep my kids from that kind of stuff. In the name of "classic cartoons" my kids are watching things that warped the minds of many in my generation. Not that cartoons are any better now. That's pretty much why we don't pay for TV.

I also think that Micah and Becca are mature enough to understand the difference between real and pretend, so I'm not terribly worried about them. It's really the twins that I am having issues with. My girls will be 4 next month, and they still have problems with that difference. Becca had it down by then, but I really pushed it hard for her because she really likes to watch TV. Ali and Zoe don't care as much about TV, so I really haven't pushed it that much. Not that they don't watch TV, but they don't get sucked in like Becca does. I literally have to turn of the TV to get her attention. Ali and Zoe watch, but they can be easily distracted from it. They would much rather play a game with a real person than watch the television. This makes it harder for me to get other things done sometimes, but I'm still glad. When Becca was little, if I needed a shower all I had to do was turn on the TV to a cartoon and I knew that she would be sitting there the whole time. With the twins, I have to get up before Tony leaves to shower or put food and TV in front of them and get in and out in 2 minutes or less or plan on cleaning up some mess.

Well, it looks like I'm going to stress the difference between real and pretend with them now. I talk with them about it some, but I've not been as diligent as I was with my older two. Until they get that concept, I'm going to go back to the 30 minute TV rule.

A week half off...and a birthday party...and stuff...

This week Micah and Becca are spending the week with Grammy and Grandpa so that they can go to VBS at their church. I'm not incredibly nervous, even though Micah hasn't ever spent more than a day away from home and me at the same time. Routine is a big deal for him, and this week should prove to be interesting. I haven't heard anything from my in-laws yet, so I assume all is well...but I'm ready to call any minute to find out what's going on. They are probably fine, but I'm doing that irrational mom worry thing.

Friday is Becca's birthday. Saturday we are having a party and we have invited a few of her friends. This is new for her. We don't usually invite more than family, but Becca really wanted her friends to come. I'm not having the party at home, either. That's something else that's new. We are having the party at Shakey's pizza. I'm told that parties are easier when you don't have to clean up afterward, and I'm hoping that's true. I know that they aren't real cheap that way, though. I don't have to cook, but I'm buying pizza. I still get to make her cake...but my oven isn't working. I pick up Micah and Becca from my in-law's house on Friday and I'm baking there.

This week is going to be fun if I can just stop stressing over things that might happen. All is really taken care of, but I feel a sense of urgency anyway. Not cool. I gotta learn to relax and trust.

I'm throwing a fit, you may not want to read this...

Have you ever asked God a question, got an answer you don't like, then have the nerve to ask again thinking that you just heard wrong?

That's kinda what I'm doing right now. I'm frustrated. God told me something that I don't like, and now I'm just going to have to do it. It's uncomfortable. It's hard. I don't like it. Now I'm having a hissy fit like a toddler about it.

I'm pretty sure that His blessing will come because of obedience, but I just don't want to do this thing. I can't even write what it is, so if I'm vague, it's on purpose. Sorry if I don't make sense. Do tantrums ever make sense anyway?

I complain about my kid's tantrums, but I'm sitting here doing the same thing. I'm arguing as though I know best, even though intellectually I know that I don't. I'm not using my brain right now, though. I'm throwing my tantrum.

Twice I've asked God this same question. Twice He's given me the same answer. Then I went to Tony and we asked together...same answer. I'm grumbling because I'm comfortable and I like where I am. Sure, there are difficult things going on where I am, but jumping out and doing the thing that He wants me to do will be harder. I know it already. I don't like it.

What is worse is that 2 years ago, if He had asked me to do this very thing, I would have been totally okay with it. If He asked me to do this thing a year ago, I may have grumbled a bit, but I would have been fine! But no, that wasn't the plan.

I should be excited. There are so many good things for my family that will come out of this. I know that already. I'm just being selfish. I'm comfortable, and I want to stay that way.

So friends, if you have any encouragement, please leave me a comment. I know that there are many verses in the Bible about this...they keep coming to mind, but I don't want to write them. I'm really not in the mood for acceptance at the moment. I know I have to be soon, though. It's never a good idea to disobey.