Friend's Comment. Do You Agree?

Geeez. It's a cartoon. All cartoons and kids shows are silly. So, if he gets teased for watching a "baby" cartoon, then he can decided whether or not to keep watching it. Until then, I say let him watch what he wants. I love Spongebob and I'm 39!
IF you feel like introducing him to other cartoons, record a couple and see if he likes them. No harm in trying, but I'd still let him watch Wow Wow Wubbzy if he wants. Kids grow up so fast, anyway. Pretty soon they'll be 10 and telling you they don't believe in Santa. Oh wait, that's my own hearbreak :(
Good luck and happy watching!!

My 8 year old still watches it - unless you are in a particularly elitist area, I can't imagine him getting teased for that. maybe at 8 - but not at 5.

I'm 35 and still watch The Muppet Show and a bunch of other shows with my kids.

Honestly, there is nothing wrong with it, though I would question how true of a friend this person really is. Sounds like she is hoping he would be teased. Some parents have some really strange issues . . .

I originally typed something very unpleasant so I have decided I will be nice instead. :) If he likes wubzy, let him watch it. Really would you rather have him watch spongebob?? Your friend is obviously very concerned with what "other people think" and IMO that is not an awesome quality to instill in your children. Let your son watch what he wants, and teach him to stand up for what he likes too. :)

I disagree with your friend. My kids don't watch Spongebob either. Kids will find anything to tease other kids about. Allowing your kids to watch something like Spongebob to fit in and to try to prevent them from getting teased is not the right way to parent.

I think your son needs to watch what he likes and what you find appropriate.She sounds rather shallow and like a former "teaser" in school herself. I'm sure if his viewing selection gets chastised by his peers, he'll let you know. I know the kids at your house said it was for babies, but they're not every kid. Personally had I been one of the moms to those kids, I would have said, "Different people have different things they like to watch -we don't need to make fun of it."

That's ridiculous. If your son likes Wow Wow Wubzy, let him watch it.

First, I wouldn't allow my son to watch ANYTHING just so he didn't get teased, especially if it wasn't in line with appropriate TV for that age. My son is 4 1/2 and he still loves all the toddler shows Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Backyardigans, Dora, Diego and personally I don't feel like some of the shows like SpongeBob are appropriate for his age. I find that alot of the things they say in those shows are not what I want my son repeating and are disrespectful. I am not in a big rush to expose him to older things...plus we don't have him watching too much TV anyway. He is the oldest so we don't have the battle of the other shows being on TV around younger kids. I feel like kids grow up so fast as it is so why rush it.

I don't agree with your friend at all and her attitude just irks me.
My son is not familiar with most current cartoons.
We simply don't watch that much tv, and a lot of what I have seen is just plain gross and/or vulgar and if the show itself isn't bad the commercials are.
I liked a lot of PBS children s shows when my son was young, but then he became such a great reader tv sort of dropped by the wayside.
A lot of my sons friends who watch lots of tv really struggle with reading.
Next time your friend attempts the subtle bullying, just tell her
"We're not in favor of him watching a lot of tv, but some people enjoy being tv addicts and that's fine for them.".

Sponge Bob isn't allowed at our house. My oldest is 6.

He is still content with Go Diego Do, Blue's Clues, Thomas, Dinosaur Train and so on, which he watches with his little brothers. His "big kid" shows are ones the little ones can see too: Fresh Beat Band, Imagination Movers. He gets to watch some National Geographic type shows targeted towards teens, but those are subject matter specific (dinosaurs), and he usually watches those with mom and dad. Right now, we are getting old school Sesame Street from NetFlix and the kids are all loving that on "movie night"! Nobody at school teases him...in fact, I don't think he and his friends talk about TV at school at all.

Some big kid once visited & told him one of his shows was "for babies" and we had some fall out from that. He refused to watch whatever show that was for awhile. I told him that there was NO SUCH THING as shows "just for babies" and he could watch the shows he liked no matter what ANYONE else said (I often tell him that there is NO SUCH THING as toys just for boys or just for girls and that everyone can play with what they like, so this is a familar mom-ism to him). He forgot after awhile and went back to what he likes.

It sounds like you handled it fine. And as for the other mom - people complain about how kids have to deal with grown-up stuff too soon now-days and then push them right out of childhood as fast as possible.
Personally, I think Sponge Bob is for adults. And I think people have gotten confused since cartoons for adults became a common thing.

Oh, and a LOT of the kids at preschool talked about the movie Transformers ~2 years ago as IF they had seen it....but I asked the other parents & NONE of them had actually SEEN it. Same thing for the Clone Wars show.

OMG.
Geez.
My daughter is 8 years old, and likes to watch Wow Wow Wubzy.
So what.

You DO NOT HAVE TO introduce other cartoons to your son... just because she said that.
But my kids watch SpongeBob too. But they are not hung up on it.

My daughter even likes to watch Curious George, too. And she, as I said, is 8 years old.

YOU are doing fine.
IGNORE what that Mom says

In school, sure other kids have told my Daughter that the shows she watches are for "babies." (These are kids... that from Kindergarten, have been allowed to watch Hannah Montana, iCarly, Zack & Cody, and other TEEN shows, etc). She tells them "So what. I like it. ..." and my daughter honestly does NOT care... what other kids tell her.
I am PROUD of her. She is an individual and herself, and knows what SHE likes and does not just be a follower.

Sure she watches other shows too... but I do not let her watch... these Teen shows. I personally find them so irking. Like nails on a chalk board. When she is a Teen she can watch Teen shows. Not now. Like many of her classmates since kindergarten.

My Daughter's 1st Grade Teacher told me... that she CAN tell, which kids do watch these Teen shows and other icky cartoons. She can tell, by the way they dress and what they say and how they interact...she can tell... because these kids are not 'kids' anymore... she remarked that their 'kids hearts' are just not there... as much anymore... versus the kids that do watch age appropriate shows sans teen type shows, from a too young age.

In my house, whatever is on TV... is what I decide... NOT the guests or the other kids. And I have also told them, when they want to watch those icky "teen/preteen" shows... "Ew... that is not a good show, it is for TEENS and you are only 8 years old. Those shows are icky. Not appropriate."

all the best,
Susan

My grandson is 4 1/2 and attends a parent co-op preschool. Since he lives with us, we see and monitor what he watches. He loves to watch Wow Wow Wubbzy. I went to work at his school one morning (for his mom's turn) and watched him demonstrate understanding of rhyming words that he learned on this quality show. I was so pleased because the ability to manipulate sounds is a basic skill needed to decode when reading. He also watches Little Bill, which demonstrates the better side of getting along with others. Both of these shows are gentle and educational. Further, I am an elementary teacher and many of my students say they watch both of these shows.

You're only little once and it's for such a short time. Being a grown up is grim business, reality is hard going mostly. Why hurry up our kids? Let them enjoy the sweetness of being very little for as long as they can! Shield them from shows that rob them of their innocence and make them worldly too early.

Uh....no. Let your son watch what he likes to watch. If at some point, he does get teased he will make up his own mind on what show he wants to watch. Some kids will go with the crowd while others just don't care and keep watching what they prefer. In this case I don't think its for you to decide or for that mom to decide either.

I understand your friend's point and I think her intentions were good.
I hate sponge bob, but my child's friend watches it in 3rd grade so she has seen it. My child liked Dora into 1st and did get made fun of. In fact, when she was bullied, I was told to make sure she watches the same as the other kids. We did not because she is innocent and youngish and I wanted to let her stay that way as long as she could. I despise Hannah Montana and think the other kids should not be watching teen dramas.
I think YOUR child is right on and other kids should learn to accept differences without being mean and bullying.

I agree that a lot of the cartoons these days are way too sophisticated for young minds. He'll move on to those types when HE'S ready, just take your cues from him. Let him stay a little boy for as long as you can, the real world can be a pretty mean place and there will be plenty of time for that later.

Let him watch what he (and you) wants. He'll get into those other shows soon enough, there's no rush. Other parents do things differently, and sometimes they don't understand another way of raising their kids, so things that seem completely normal to you might seem strange to them - and vice versa. I've gotten "He doesn't play sports?!", "Your kids like BRUSSELS SPROUTS?!", "Is THAT how you fold their clothes?", "You DON'T go to Church?", "You DON'T go to Temple?", "You bought an airplane seat for your infant?", and the list goes on and on. We're all different and we should all do what's best for OUR kids. If that means no Spongebob, that's perfectly fine, the less TV the better, IMO.

Hi,
It is geared towards younger children but so what??? .....I say if a kid or adult by the way is young at heart ,just let it be....There is so little innocence in this world,let 's keep the little bit of innocence we can still get from our kids.My seven years old daughter still likes Diego and Kailand(geared towards preschool/kindergarten age kids).She did get teased in first grade for liking those characters.Now she still watch them with her younger siblings but just do not talk about it at school.I would love for her to keep her innocence ,her joy and excitement at life for as long as possible. I was a lot like her and i turn out OK.Like i was more interested in dolls than boys at 12/13 years old.Was i made fun off? Ya, sure. But i was not the one who ended up with a baby to raise at the tender age of 16 /17years old.I am 35 years old now and still very young at heart with a lot of energy still to play with my kids(well, when i am not 8 1/2 months pregnant).Kids usually agglomerates around me,they might just feel it,i don't know....but it was very useful when i did in home childcare for 3 years until my third child was born.So, i say sure you can introduce him to other cartoons but if he still like wow wubbzy ,let him watch it too and let him be young at heart as i consider this a quality not a fault :-).
N.

Hello, I think that whatever you want to allow your son to watch is your business and not anyone else's. That was a rude thing for the other mother to say. As far as him watching something "for babies", who says? Why should he have to see Sponge Bob? The other mother should concentrate on teaching her children to be polite and to not say hurtful things. Just let your son be little a while longer. My older grandkids still like to turn on little kids' programs. They giggle, but I know they are enjoying it too.
Good luck with your precious little boy.
K. K.

What? That is ludicrous! I always tell my daughter "TV makes you dumb!" Your friend's comment equals to something like, "switch from chewing tobbacco, to smoking, it makes you look cooler." A little bit of TV is fine, and the fact you limit it to the mornings, shows you are a responsible parent. Sponge Bob is not a good cartoon to watch anyways. He constantly says "stupid" and kids learn naughty behavior from watching it. I'd stick to Wow Wow Wubbzy :) Getting teased for watching toddler cartoons!!!! OMG! I've told my daughter to say the following when someone teases her: "I know I'm a big girl, my mommy says so!"

Ok--I'm actually in the Love Sponge Bob club. I "thought" I hated him until I watched it for myself...I suggest you do that if you're curious.

But I think your son should watch what he wants.

nothing wrong with that, nick jr along with all those shows are , yes for toddlers, but like "pre school" I bet he knows a lot now that he's older and can understand the show right? By the time he goes into 1st grade he might know more than others, who knows. But anyway, i hate spongebob... i really don't think thats a cartoon for kids... more like if they're 8ish+ . Don't worry.

P.S. when you're son is tired of wow wow wubbzy he will stop paying attention to the show..

I say let your son watch what he likes to watch! Even if he gets teased a little- then HE can make a decision about it. Too many little kids watch too much tv just because it is what's popular. Same goes for playing games. I don't think a toddler needs a DS- everything in its own time.

As for your friend's comment, I am sure she was TRYING to be helpful, but I would never criticize what another person's child was watching as being 'babyish'. All kids like different things, develop different ways etc. My son was still a secret Bob the Builder fan long after he was too old for the show! He would watch with his littler cousins, lol, just to 'entertain them'. :) I'm sure your friend meant to be helpful, but I would just let your son watch what he likes. his tastes will grow soon enough! :)

Occassionally watching a show geared towards a younger child is ok but not so much if they want to watch alot. However, Spongebob is a horrible cartoon for kids as it is really geared towards older kids/teens (I personally don't like it for them either though). So Wow Wow Wubbzy may be too young for your son but Spongebob is definately too old for him/them.

Sue- Why is imortant to expose them to new shows?? That will only make a need to watch more tv and therefore more fights about no tv, do homework. Let your child watch what he wants. If he is still happy with it and it's educational. Let him.

Um... they are preschoolers and shouldn't be "hooked" on cartoons! You are right to limit what he watches and be aware of how much he watches. If he's in school, they won't be encouraged to talk about t.v. and the usually have other things to talk about on the playground. It came up b/c they were about to watch t.v.

Next time, just offer them two movie choices and don't worry about it!

Personally I don't think Spongebob is really for kids. Judging by the number of adults who like it, I would say it's more of a grown-up cartoon. I have turned it on briefly and I thought it was quite unfunny. I have a five-year old and I do not turn it on for him. He watches PBS Kids shows (Super Why!, Martha Speaks, Dinosaur Train) and I turn on Bugs Bunny DVD's for him. Yes, I know they are violent, but I was raised on them and they just say "childhood" to me. I guess I would rather have my son watch what he wants to watch (as long as I approve) and get a little teasing, rather than watch what "everyone" is watching just to avoid getting teased. But you should take into account that I don't watch "American Idol" or "Dancing With The Stars" despite the fact that "everyone" watches those shows!:) I think you're doing a good job with your little boy and he'll have plenty of time to get pressured into doing things he doesn't want to do--no need to rush into it!

I think you should continue doing what is best for your family... I agree with you I hate sponge bob and would much rather have my kids watch Curious George or something along those lines. Don't go against your family wishes just b/c others think that it is "uncool".

Good luck

To be blunt, I think it's pretty dumb of the mom to worry about a kid getting teased for the *cartoons* that they watch. If it doesn't affect her, she should be minding her own business.

If he likes the show let him watch it. But I would also introduce him to shows geared toward older children. I would not ever suggest Sponge Bob though... the characters are not appropriate. I would never want to hear any child speaking that way to one another, but by letting them watch the show they think it is okay (sorry for the rant - its a pet peeve...)

Just another Mom in support of the "let him watch what he wants" crowd. While I have no idea what Wow Wow Wubbzy is, if your son likes it, leave him be. We don't have cable & if my son had his way, he'd watch PBS all day. That would include Curious George, Calliou, Angelina Ballerina, and on the other side, SciGirls, Ruff Ruffman, & Electric Company. He's 8. I also don't think that SpongeBob is a very good kids choice.

Hmmm, they might. 5-6yr olds are brazen in their curiosity and understanding of things, so I can see how that would happen (that he'd get teased). My 6yr old niece gives my 2.5 yr old son a really hard time becuase he likes Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, and she hates it (now).

I wouldn't make a big deal out of it, but I'd probably introduce him to other cartoons. If he's anything like my son, he'll probably lose interest in the WWW as soon as he finds something new. Try some movies. My DS LOVES Cars and Toy Story.

i dont see an issue with it. spongebob is a mindless show. my 3 1/2 yo says he is naughty lol. he may get teased but just remind him that it doesnt matter what they think its cool because he likes it. wubbzy is an awesome show i watch it with my daughter. she only watches 2 channels nick jr and some disney.

Hello........
you have had alot of good responses.... I did not read them all. The only thing I didnt see is that this the first step be being bullied!! Really?? A 5 year old being teased for watching a cartoon? Who cares! Your son should be excepted no matter what he watches or reads. And the Moms should encourage that! Not contribute!!
Good luck and do what is best for you and your family!

yes, that cartoon is for younger kids.
spongebob is entertaining too. none of them are educational.
nothing wrong with watching this or that

sponge bob is for adults. The characters are rude and young children don't get the sarcasm. It only teaches them to treat others rudely.

Hi D.,
I am sorry that your friends made these comments to you! This post makes me sad, that we as parents have to worry about things like this; I am becoming more aware of things like this as my son gets closer to his 4th birthday...Why can't we keep our kids the age they are and not try and speed up there aging past what number they are??? I applaud you for keeping your son young and happy with what he has...plenty of time later for things other than WWW and Curious George!
Best,
LC

Eh..her comment was just ignorant. What concern is it of hers if your son isn't overdosing on sponge bob? I wouldn't have even thought twice about it. I might have just looked at her funny and laughed, though.

My 6 yr old son loves Wow Wow Wubbzy. He also loves other shows for younger kids and usually refuses to watch the shows for kids his age. (He does like documentaries though and Science Squad) Every now and then he tries one but he often dislikes it. He's pretty sensitive. I think the shows for younger kids make him feel happy and comfortable. And this is a well socialized boy with lots of friends who loves skateboarding and video games and stuff like that. He is never teased, but maybe that is his personality. I would not worry about it.

your friend is lame. Who says that?

My 9 yr old will watch Dora-because his 3 yr old sister is watching. And she watches Sponge Bob. I hate Sponge Bob, by the way.

My daughter is 5.5 and she likes that show also. I think it's fine! My older daughter (who is 8) watches shows for older kids but even so she will watch her little sister's shows with her sometimes (and I am pretty sure she still thinks Wow Wow Wubbzy is funny, although she won't admit it =). I think that other mom is one of those who is pushing her child to grow up too fast.

My comment is quite simple: the longer you can keep them innocent, the better. My 5 y/o daughter wants to watch everything her big 12 y/o brother does and even he says some of it isn't appropriate for her. Don't sweat the small stuff :)

My daughter only watched Sesame Street, Mr. Rogers and other shows on the PBS station for a better part of her years. She didn't start watching other cartoons probably until she started first grade. My son only watched Nick shows that were preschool shows, like Blue's Clues and Disney preschool shows like The Wiggles. Both of them did not suffer in the slightest or were teased about the shows they liked to watch. If parents already start with that, then their kids will be the bullies, not yours. Sad to say, but many people let their children watch programs that are much more advanced for them or that has crude humor. I watched many things pretty strictly. My son is now 11 years old and has grown with the shows, but still likes to watch Disney and Nickelodeon. I am at least grateful for that, there are kids his age that watch horror movies and he has not interest!

That's one of those comments that I say warrants a sweet smile and response along the lines of "That's a great idea, what other cartoons do your kids watch?"

I am of the idea that every family & every child is different, therefore it's not my place to tell someone that they ought to change what their child is watching on television. I might remark that a movie/program seems mature for a child's age, THEN, ask how they made the decision to let their kiddo watch it; framed in a way that I learn their perspective should I encounter the same situation myself. That's a two-fold response - mostly I can learn from what other people do or don't do; but also I've found myself realizing that something I've said/done is boneheaded when someone asked me about it!

Ultimately - I 100% disagree with the friend's comment.

What about adults who watch cartoons? Sounds like your son does not spend alot of time watching television. Which is a good thing. Alot of kids know just about every cartoon that comes on because they spend all their free time watching them. I would let him watch it if that is what he likes. It's not hurting him. I hate spongebob.LOL You don't need to introduce him to cartoons at all. There are plenty of other things that he can do. Personally I think alot of these cartoons today are just weird unlike the ones that I watched growing up that were just plain violent (bugs bunny and tom and Jerry) I won't even let my kids watch those two.

I think it's best if kids are exposed to a variety of shows, as long as they are age-appropriate. (I wouldn't really call SpongeBob age-appropriate, but the good thing is that the inapropriate parts tend to go right over their heads). I think cultural awareness and social acceptance are important for kids, but that should not overrule parental decisions.

My daughter is now 8, almost 9, and she still sometimes choses CareBears or other shows that she watched when she was much younger. Sometimes she asks for shows that are intended for older kids, but not often. I am almost always in the room with her when she's watching, or within earshot (a benefit of living in a small apartment).

A child also needs encouragement to be independent and decide what they like, not based on what is "cool" or what "everyone else is doing". I've talked to my daughter about some things she still likes to do, that other kids her age are not likely doing them, and she answers "I know, I'm different than them and that's OK"!

IMO Spongebob is blech! I mean really. Not emotionally harmful just without any redeeming value. And yes, my kids went thru a Spongebob phase and now they skip it.

That said, I would never ever tell a friend, "You should really not let your kids watch that show. It rots their brains." So, these friends said the wrong thing to you for sure. I can only assume they were feeling defensive about letting their kids watch a show they sub-consciously felt was not-so-great.

What could your response have been then? Maybe simply, "We limit DS's and our own TV time. If he can only watch an hour a day, I really don't want him to pick Spongebob. They grow up fast enough as it is."

I think kids are growing up way too fast and some of the cartoons on today are violent and serve no purpose in helping young minds grow. I wish they would put the old "Schoolhouse Rocks" cartoons back on, they taught about nouns, conjunctions, Declaration of Independence and so on. Spongebob is a useless waste of time and brain energy! Tell your friend to butt out and worry about what her own children watch. Let your son watch what he enjoys.

No, I don't agree. That mom had some nerve suggesting YOU allow your child to watch "other" shows. For pete's sake, who cares if your son loves the show. And you approve of it, so that's even better! Just because "other people do it" doesn't make it right for you or your family. I tell my daughters this all the time when they whine, "But other kids do it!" I say, "So, if "other kids" jump off of a bridge and call that exciting, should you do it too?" Of course they always say, "No." Exactly my point. My kiddos don't have cell phones, or ipods, or fancy expensive electronics just because "others" do. We can't afford it anyway. Sounds like that mom is encouraging you to compete with the "Jones'."

wow you got a lot of responses! Your right.....they are wrong.

She's not watching it, your son is. Enough said!

Hey D.,
I think your friends are WRONG!!! Sponge Bob is in my opinion of NO value whatsoever. It teaches kids to be disrespectful and there is nothing of educational merit whatsoever in that show. You should feel proud that you have limited your son to quality shows. However, there are other really great preschool aged educational shows out there, so feel free to expand your son's horizons.

I am glad you already got so many wonderful responses, but just to let you know--my daughter just turned 5 on Sunday and she had a huge Wow! Wow! Wubbzy! themed birthday party. I don't think there's anything wrong with a cartoon that teaches kids to be kind to each other as opposed to a cartoon like Sponge Bob filled with snotty attitudes and crude humor. They get enough of that in school! My daughter isn't sheltered--she's actually quite well-rounded and even watches shows like Hannah Montana and movies like Camp Rock 2 (she loves the music and dancing.) But I love and cherish the part of her that still "escapes" to Wow Wow Wubbzy and until she is ready to let it go, I am fine with her watching it. I'd wager your son is much less judgemental than the child that told him the show is for babies. : )

oh disregard that mom... let your son watch the cartoons he enjoys. while my son does watch Spongebob, I am not opposed to him watching Curious George and Dora the Explorer.. I think it's a matter of preference..

Everybody does something different and NO you do not have to change what you are doing! My kids watch more mature shows (some I wish I didn't allow) but they still love preschool shows too. I have banned Sponge Bob and few others because they talk like teenagers. I notice it does have an affect on my child's behavior.

I am not the strictest about TV and sometimes wish I were more strict. I think what you are doing is great! If his friends are over...put on a movie and pacify everybody! But, I usually say no TV when friends are over.

I think you did the right thing!

My 5 year old still loves wow wow wubbzy, but he also loves spongebob, transformers, avitar, ect...... What he likes is what he likes, I would not worry about it :)

Ditto to what Christine A. said. Lame, indeed!

I disagree with them. We also watch public tv and morning shows like Wow Wow Wubbzy. The other shows will be there someday. Let him be young a while longer! My 10 year old likes far too many teeny bopper shows and we argue all the time about a limit for them. But she still watches the PBS stuff with the younger kids in our daycare. People are so quick to render an opinion on EVERYTHING.

I have twin boys who will be exactly 5 1/2 tomorrow and they will both tell you that Wow Wow Wubbzy is their favorite cartoon on tv...I love it too so I wouldn't dream of taking it away from them...I love the "don't lie, don't lie, don't you blame it on the other guy" song :-)

Wow how inappropriate for her to tell you what to let your son watch. But I know how it can be with good friends at times. I watched Sesame Street all the time with my baby sister when I was really getting up there!! I think it is so great that you are letting him be a kid! My son is super into Rugrats right now and I find myself sitting and watching with him sometimes!! I have also noticed that when my son, who is 3.5 watches things that are all about Super Heroes or that have a little attitude like Spongebob, he is more attitudinous. I now only allow one super hero cartoon in a day and no Spongebob(never been a fan personally). The rest of the day if he is watching anything it is something with positive attitudes and learning. I think you are doing great!

I think that's a really odd thing for that woman to say or think or care about.

I do love Spongebob, however.

My 6 year old loves SB, but he also loves the backyardigans lol. Who cares. I agree...lame!

this is a super late response but...

my 5 yo likes wubbzy and spongebob. I don't think it's beyond her grasp. We love Spongebob as a family and if she doesn't grasp a concept, she just asks.

The wubbzy theme gets stuck in my head...