After three days of sharing the spit bucket and the TV remote with my kids, we've come to some mutual agreements...
Toon time
- Chowder is disgusting! And yes, he is very much a boy (there was question at first.) They love him, I do not. Seems to be the next up-and-coming Sponge-Bob-esque character who makes it appropriate to belch, fart and say words that are naughty but flow over the heads of kids and parents as acceptable. (ie: Hello, S-Bob works at the Crusty Crab in Bikini Bottom.)
- Smurfs are adorable. Papa Smurf so wise, and Smurfette so blonde and really a needed addition of estrogen in the all-testosterone blue community. Why blue? It only makes sense with so many men, so little women and barely a stitch of clothing.
- The classics are just that - classics. Huckleberry Hound is a true heroic example of modesty and honor.
- Watching Snagglepuss is the best form of vocab-building. A few of my favorites from today:
"Heavens to mergatroy" - "And the mocking bird is mocking" - "forthwith" - "for shame"
- Tom and Jerry, at the other end of the spectrum, prove that wit and clever writing can only take you so far. Bonking him on the head with a giant hammer is always funny. My son asked me to turn it up so he could hear it. "It has no words!"
Chick Flicks
- Though watching chick flicks will lead to great bonding with your nine-year-old daughter, it also leads to questions about sex.
- Men and boys hate anything to do with chick flicks.
Super Heros
- Men and boys love anything to do with super heros.
- An entire 30-minute show can consist of grunts, sound effects and "hi-yaa."