TV for Children

I am a child of the 80s. Sometimes I am proud to say that. Others, like if we were talking about 80s fashion, I am embarassed.
But a great part of the 1980s was the television programs for children and families. I was a fan of the Care Bears and Strawberry Shortcake. Rainbow Brite was a favorite too and every Saturday morning, I would sit myself down on the couch and watch some Looney Toons. At night, there was Family Ties, Who's the Boss, The Cosby Show and Kate and Allie. I loved those shows, and they were something I could watch with my own parents.
Now, however, I have found that the offerings for children's programming are, I guess the word is eclectic. The Disney Channel has some good shows. My daughter, Lauren, loves Handy Manny. Obsessed is more like it. Every time she sees those tools or hears that song, she flips out. She will also occassionally sit still for Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. I like to find shows that I will sit and watch with her, while also teaching her something like colors, shapes or even manners.
I have tried to watch some of the shows on Noggin, but I admit, those shows freak me out slightly. One reminds me of Teletubbies, which I was not a fan of and another, well, the animation is a little odd. I know the shows are not meant for me, but if Lauren is going to watch television, I might as well sit there with her too.
Luckily, though, she is not into sitting still long enough to watch anything. She enjoys shows with singing and dancing, and those she will last five minutes. But my little monkey would rather be up and about, getting into trouble or better yet playing outside. I guess that is good, though. She shouldn't be addicted to television at such an early age. I was brought up to go outside and "use my imagination" when I was bored, and I think she is headed along the same path.
As for family programming, we will have to wait until she is a bit older to see what is out there. The choices now don't inspire much hope. With the dozens of reality television shows on TV now, there is not much room left for this generation's Who's the Boss or Growing Pains. Even the situation comedies that have managed to last are not designed for a younger audience. I just hope that changes in the coming years, although if we remain on this same path, Lauren might not be able to hold still even then!