First, I will come clean about one of the things that make me a horrible parent.
I don't want to tell you, but it's essential to the story. I know you will think less of me if you know the truth, but I am going to have to. It's time you know the truth.
Abby watches television.
Okay, so you can read it - Abby watches television. Daily.
We have a rotation that does not include Sesame Street, Yo Gabba Gabba or Wordgirl - you know, the educational stuff. Nope, we're not there right now. We have had our fair share of Signing Time, and watched Sesame Street for a few months, but we don't do that now. Now we have a healthy rotation that includes the fun part of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, (both versions of) The Parent Trap, Robots and princess movies. Lots and lots of princess movies.
I was at work when the princess movies began, so I can honestly say that it's not my fault. I might be inclined to go so far as to say that I was conspired against. It started with a little Shrek 2 on the DVR. Then it moved to Sleeping Beauty (minus the part deemed by Anny to be "too scary" at the end) and progressed to Snow White. All of these movies have a pretty set cast - prince, princess, fairy god mother, king, queen - we know them all so well.
I know the story of Princess Aurora (that's Sleeping Beauty) so well that I can tell you the order that her Fairy God Mother's put the kingdom to sleep. The advantage is that I know the song pretty well now, and when I whistle/sing/hum it, Abby goes all giddy and wants to twirl and dance. What dad does not love that?!
My beef really comes in when we're playing afterward, or just randomly talking. I have had at least a dozen conversations in the last two weeks that are pretty scripted at this point...
Abby: Daddy, I'm Princess Aurora!
Me: I know, sweetie - you dance beautifully.
Abby: Yes, because I'm a princess. Daddy, Mommy is Prince Phillip (or the Queen or a Fairy God Mother, depends on the day).
Me: Oh really? Does mommy know that?
Abby: Yes.
Me: Well if you're Prince Aurora and Mommy is a Queen/FGM who am I?
Abby: Daddy, you're the horse.
There you have it, ladies and gentlemen. Abby is a princess. Anny is a queen.
And I am a horse.
At least I'm not a horses ass. (Which is to say, at least she doesn't call me that. Yet.)
Hahah!
ReplyDeleteMy kids watch entirely too much television, especially in the winter. So if you're going to the Bad Parents Hall of Shame over the TV, you can sit next to me.
You know what I tell the girlies, right? Princesses get to be princesses (and wear beautiful gowns) because they're good at math and science! In fact, the other day MG was laying on the floor in a princess dress and I said, "What are you doing?" and she said "Math and science." :)
Well, what is a princess or prince without a horse? They're essential to the story!
ReplyDeleteI just learned that a former co-worker's 3-year old's favorite movie is Hot Rod. So, I think you're doing pretty OK on the TV/Movie front. :)
- Julie Eps
well.....a dirty trick with tv......i found that my girls will be glued to a new show, so i keep a new show up my sleeve for those days when i need to get something done.
ReplyDeleteotherwise, they are so used to the tv being on, they couldn't care less what was on.
(i think tv is ok, most things are ok, in moderation. it's the stuff you deprive them off that they go crazy for down the track)
We're seriously into THE JUNGLE BOOK these days. This morning, Ada was Mowgli, Ellie was Bagheera, and I got to be Kaa the snake. :-)
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