Comments on: Helping Kids See Past Commercialism http://naturemoms.com/blog/2008/05/21/kids-and-commercialism/ Green and Natural Parenting Sat, 11 Feb 2012 20:28:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Kelly & Dave http://naturemoms.com/blog/2008/05/21/kids-and-commercialism/#comment-16016 Kelly & Dave Fri, 25 Mar 2011 20:44:00 +0000 http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/?p=1205#comment-16016 This is a great post - thank you! I actually went to a semi-strict Christian college that didn't (gasp!) allow TV outside of 1 designated TV room. Ever since then I could pretty much care less about watching TV...I got used to not having it and I often find it boring when I do catch it on somewhere. We don't have cable and I would love to move the TV down to the basement (hubby plays video games and we do watch movies on occasion)...I just don't like it being the focal point of the room. We'll see if I can get hubby to budge on that. :) I would love to learn how to sew but it's sure a work in progress! One thing I do like to do is go to garage sales and goodwill-type stores for things - if stuff does happen to still have labels at least it's being recycled. I do know a few people who won't have anything unless it's brand new with a brand name - I think there's a lot of value in teaching kids that it's OK (and good!) to have used things, too! :) Thanks again...I am bookmarking this for when my little one is a little older. This is a great post – thank you!

I actually went to a semi-strict Christian college that didn’t (gasp!) allow TV outside of 1 designated TV room.

Ever since then I could pretty much care less about watching TV…I got used to not having it and I often find it boring when I do catch it on somewhere. We don’t have cable and I would love to move the TV down to the basement (hubby plays video games and we do watch movies on occasion)…I just don’t like it being the focal point of the room. We’ll see if I can get hubby to budge on that. :)

I would love to learn how to sew but it’s sure a work in progress! One thing I do like to do is go to garage sales and goodwill-type stores for things – if stuff does happen to still have labels at least it’s being recycled. I do know a few people who won’t have anything unless it’s brand new with a brand name – I think there’s a lot of value in teaching kids that it’s OK (and good!) to have used things, too! :)

Thanks again…I am bookmarking this for when my little one is a little older.

]]> By: Shaeded http://naturemoms.com/blog/2008/05/21/kids-and-commercialism/#comment-16014 Shaeded Fri, 25 Mar 2011 17:23:00 +0000 http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/?p=1205#comment-16014 I love this article! It is almost exactly what we live by in our home. We went to a civil war re-enactment in the fall that was fabulous. We read a lot, never watch tv but movies are a habit. We do try to watch insightful, educational movies often. We recently watched Johnny Tremain and *I* loved it as much as the kids! As it warms up we will be gardening, going to the farmer's market, playing and so much more! My son really wants to get creative with our wooden playset and build an extended fort..it will be a blast to give him the freedom to do it! I love this article! It is almost exactly what we live by in our home. We went to a civil war re-enactment in the fall that was fabulous. We read a lot, never watch tv but movies are a habit. We do try to watch insightful, educational movies often. We recently watched Johnny Tremain and *I* loved it as much as the kids! As it warms up we will be gardening, going to the farmer’s market, playing and so much more! My son really wants to get creative with our wooden playset and build an extended fort..it will be a blast to give him the freedom to do it!

]]> By: Jessica M Lang http://naturemoms.com/blog/2008/05/21/kids-and-commercialism/#comment-16013 Jessica M Lang Fri, 25 Mar 2011 16:39:00 +0000 http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/?p=1205#comment-16013 I've recently started limiting t.v. to under 30 minutes per day. At first this was hard for my 3.5 year old (and for my husband) but now my son is not even asking for t.v. at all....unless urged by dh! lol... its working out great and I'm seeing less frustration and "melt-downs" in my son than when he was glued to the television (much to my dismay). In our household we are conscious consumers, we don't purchase anything we don't need, however I have notice my son being CAPTIVATED and even knowing the words to entire commercials!!! particularly one for "spacebags" he says "too much stuff, not enough space!" and then he tells me we need to buy spacebags. Pretty fitting actually, we don't have much stuff because we don't have much room! Anyway, GREAT article and thanks for all the useful links for my active boy to stay active and not turn into a couch potato!!! I’ve recently started limiting t.v. to under 30 minutes per day. At first this was hard for my 3.5 year old (and for my husband) but now my son is not even asking for t.v. at all….unless urged by dh! lol… its working out great and I’m seeing less frustration and “melt-downs” in my son than when he was glued to the television (much to my dismay).

In our household we are conscious consumers, we don’t purchase anything we don’t need, however I have notice my son being CAPTIVATED and even knowing the words to entire commercials!!! particularly one for “spacebags” he says “too much stuff, not enough space!” and then he tells me we need to buy spacebags. Pretty fitting actually, we don’t have much stuff because we don’t have much room!

Anyway, GREAT article and thanks for all the useful links for my active boy to stay active and not turn into a couch potato!!!

]]> By: Heather http://naturemoms.com/blog/2008/05/21/kids-and-commercialism/#comment-5257 Heather Thu, 30 Apr 2009 17:34:14 +0000 http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/?p=1205#comment-5257 Do you have a post on what to do when you can homeschool? I worry about My Daughter (who starts school next fall) I dont want her to be part of the consumer "flock"...Yet I am not confident in my ability to teach my children... Thank you for this wonderful Post, I cant wait to read more of your articals. Do you have a post on what to do when you can homeschool?
I worry about My Daughter (who starts school next fall) I dont want her to be part of the consumer “flock”…Yet I am not confident in my ability to teach my children…

Thank you for this wonderful Post, I cant wait to read more of your articals.

]]> By: Katherine http://naturemoms.com/blog/2008/05/21/kids-and-commercialism/#comment-5256 Katherine Sat, 20 Dec 2008 17:15:11 +0000 http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/?p=1205#comment-5256 We hooked up the antenna for the election. That's the first time in 2 years that the TV was hooked up to any signal. I really haven't missed it much. My harder fight is "disposable." I hate that. Of course you can throw anything "away" after one use. But where is "away?" When I was in 4th grade we took a field trip to a landfill with my GT class. That smell...the piles of garbage...something about it hit me really hard. The area we've moved to, though, makes it difficult to reduce your waste. I've finally convinced my grocery store just not to bag my groceries at all, and I bag them myself at the car, because they got so hopelessly confused about cloth bags. Consuming even something like a plastic bag needs to be something to think about. We hooked up the antenna for the election. That’s the first time in 2 years that the TV was hooked up to any signal. I really haven’t missed it much.

My harder fight is “disposable.” I hate that. Of course you can throw anything “away” after one use. But where is “away?” When I was in 4th grade we took a field trip to a landfill with my GT class. That smell…the piles of garbage…something about it hit me really hard. The area we’ve moved to, though, makes it difficult to reduce your waste. I’ve finally convinced my grocery store just not to bag my groceries at all, and I bag them myself at the car, because they got so hopelessly confused about cloth bags. Consuming even something like a plastic bag needs to be something to think about.

]]> By: Steve http://naturemoms.com/blog/2008/05/21/kids-and-commercialism/#comment-5255 Steve Wed, 29 Oct 2008 00:57:04 +0000 http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/?p=1205#comment-5255 I was thinking - try not to leave it too late with kids in getting them interested in more than just TV. Kids tend to like to copy parents, so if you play a sport, your kids will love being able to join in. Kids often like stuff they can do with you more than stuff on their own - sharing is cool. So take them out on bike rides, play football, whatever, but keep trying if necessary until you find something they love. Because in reality, TV sucks compared to fun outdoor stuff, or fun indoor stuff like cooking, crafts etc. Our kids seem not to be interested in becoming consumers. I give most credit to my wife as she does loads of fun stuff with them - some of which they find cool just because it's with Mum. If I take them out somewhere when I have time, they seem really to appreciate it, whereas time infront of the TV doesn't satisfy them, it's just 'easy'. My son has obviously picked up on the fact that life isn't about constantly getting stuff - he will often look at the price of things if we offer to pay for something & pick the cheapest. He'll say, "no the other one's too expensive". So, be firm, but be encouraged that kids love to 'do' more than they love to 'get'. They just need some help finding stuff to do sometimes. I was thinking – try not to leave it too late with kids in getting them interested in more than just TV. Kids tend to like to copy parents, so if you play a sport, your kids will love being able to join in. Kids often like stuff they can do with you more than stuff on their own – sharing is cool. So take them out on bike rides, play football, whatever, but keep trying if necessary until you find something they love. Because in reality, TV sucks compared to fun outdoor stuff, or fun indoor stuff like cooking, crafts etc. Our kids seem not to be interested in becoming consumers. I give most credit to my wife as she does loads of fun stuff with them – some of which they find cool just because it’s with Mum. If I take them out somewhere when I have time, they seem really to appreciate it, whereas time infront of the TV doesn’t satisfy them, it’s just ‘easy’. My son has obviously picked up on the fact that life isn’t about constantly getting stuff – he will often look at the price of things if we offer to pay for something & pick the cheapest. He’ll say, “no the other one’s too expensive”.
So, be firm, but be encouraged that kids love to ‘do’ more than they love to ‘get’. They just need some help finding stuff to do sometimes.

]]> By: Mama Luxe http://naturemoms.com/blog/2008/05/21/kids-and-commercialism/#comment-5254 Mama Luxe Wed, 04 Jun 2008 02:11:19 +0000 http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/?p=1205#comment-5254 I admit I enjoy shopping--but we also keep the TV off while baby is awake (and if she sees it on somewhere, she likes to turn it off, which can be a guilty pleasure when someone is trying to watch the last minutes of a game) and I try to always show her farms and crafts fairs and talk to people in front of her about how they make the food and the items and the art. What amazes me is the grief I catch for it and the attempts at sabotaging it. I get remarks like, "You're depriving her." (Of what, she doesn't even know what the TV is?) I don't criticize other people's choices--so it drives me nuts when others try to justify their decisions by belittling mine. You have a great list here and some wonderful ideas. Mama Luxes last blog post..<a href="http://mamasaga.blogspot.com/2008/06/taking-plunge.html" rel="nofollow">Taking the Plunge</a> I admit I enjoy shopping–but we also keep the TV off while baby is awake (and if she sees it on somewhere, she likes to turn it off, which can be a guilty pleasure when someone is trying to watch the last minutes of a game) and I try to always show her farms and crafts fairs and talk to people in front of her about how they make the food and the items and the art.

What amazes me is the grief I catch for it and the attempts at sabotaging it. I get remarks like, “You’re depriving her.” (Of what, she doesn’t even know what the TV is?)

I don’t criticize other people’s choices–so it drives me nuts when others try to justify their decisions by belittling mine.

You have a great list here and some wonderful ideas.

Mama Luxes last blog post..Taking the Plunge

]]> By: rebmoti http://naturemoms.com/blog/2008/05/21/kids-and-commercialism/#comment-5253 rebmoti Tue, 03 Jun 2008 16:35:33 +0000 http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/?p=1205#comment-5253 Excellent post! I would also recommend Center for a New American Dream (newdream.org/kids), which is an excellent organization and has a lot of material on this - simplifying the holidays, doing things during the summer, etc. We're mostly power-of-example people (we don't watch commercial TV, we buy very little in the way of "name" or "designer" brands) but I've been thinking we need to be a little bit more proactive explaining our philosophy to the kids, for when they get sneered at for wearing clothes from Target. rebmotis last blog post..<a href="http://jewishsimplicity.blogspot.com/2008/06/kids-and-commercialism.html" rel="nofollow">Kids and commercialism</a> Excellent post! I would also recommend Center for a New American Dream (newdream.org/kids), which is an excellent organization and has a lot of material on this – simplifying the holidays, doing things during the summer, etc.

We’re mostly power-of-example people (we don’t watch commercial TV, we buy very little in the way of “name” or “designer” brands) but I’ve been thinking we need to be a little bit more proactive explaining our philosophy to the kids, for when they get sneered at for wearing clothes from Target.

rebmotis last blog post..Kids and commercialism

]]> By: that girl http://naturemoms.com/blog/2008/05/21/kids-and-commercialism/#comment-5252 that girl Mon, 02 Jun 2008 14:07:41 +0000 http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/?p=1205#comment-5252 These are great tips. The tv subject really rings true with me. Growing up I spent my summers with my grandmother and she and I would garden and explore and grocery shop (people raised in the depression era do a WHOLE different kind of grocery shopping than most of us) and I just had more fun with her. We had quality time and experiences. I look back on my childhood and I vividly remember these experiences - I do not, however, remember all the episodes of cartoons that I watched over the years. At our house we don't limit tv either - we just turn it off when it's time to get up and go outside.. Aside from a new movie or something, my children would much rather go outside than sit in front of the tv. I truly believe exercise (not the sit-ups kind - the fun, running through the sprinkler kind) is the key to solving childhood obesity..and probably many other health issues. I've read that sun exposure (a little here and there) boosts your immune system. Anyway, love your site - and thanks for the good tips. that girls last blog post..<a href="http://heyyourememberme.blogspot.com/2008/05/whats-point-really.html" rel="nofollow">What's the point?... Really?</a> These are great tips. The tv subject really rings true with me. Growing up I spent my summers with my grandmother and she and I would garden and explore and grocery shop (people raised in the depression era do a WHOLE different kind of grocery shopping than most of us) and I just had more fun with her. We had quality time and experiences. I look back on my childhood and I vividly remember these experiences – I do not, however, remember all the episodes of cartoons that I watched over the years.

At our house we don’t limit tv either – we just turn it off when it’s time to get up and go outside.. Aside from a new movie or something, my children would much rather go outside than sit in front of the tv. I truly believe exercise (not the sit-ups kind – the fun, running through the sprinkler kind) is the key to solving childhood obesity..and probably many other health issues. I’ve read that sun exposure (a little here and there) boosts your immune system. Anyway, love your site – and thanks for the good tips.

that girls last blog post..What’s the point?… Really?

]]> By: Shannon http://naturemoms.com/blog/2008/05/21/kids-and-commercialism/#comment-5251 Shannon Fri, 30 May 2008 05:15:07 +0000 http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/?p=1205#comment-5251 I just Stumbled your site (thumbs up) and had to comment on this picture. Really fabulous. I can't wait to really dive in to your posts! Shannons last blog post..<a href="http://feeds.babiesonline.com/~r/BabiesOnlineNews/~3/300819222/" rel="nofollow">Schedules, Stress and Babies</a> I just Stumbled your site (thumbs up) and had to comment on this picture. Really fabulous. I can’t wait to really dive in to your posts!

Shannons last blog post..Schedules, Stress and Babies

]]> By: Aleksandar healthy man :) http://naturemoms.com/blog/2008/05/21/kids-and-commercialism/#comment-5250 Aleksandar healthy man :) Tue, 27 May 2008 14:08:42 +0000 http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/?p=1205#comment-5250 "Teach by example." is a great and a must tip, I would say. Aleksandar healthy man :)s last blog post..<a href="http://thevotefor.com/health/26/how-to-treat-an-electrical-disorder-of-the-heart/" rel="nofollow">How to treat an electrical disorder of the heart</a> “Teach by example.” is a great and a must tip, I would say.

Aleksandar healthy man :)s last blog post..How to treat an electrical disorder of the heart

]]> By: Jane http://naturemoms.com/blog/2008/05/21/kids-and-commercialism/#comment-5249 Jane Tue, 27 May 2008 10:40:06 +0000 http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/?p=1205#comment-5249 A worthy cause and great tips. One of the reasons we moved to Mozambique when Esme was 6 weeks old . . . The photo you used was great! Janes last blog post..<a href="http://moziesme.blogspot.com/2008/05/causes.html" rel="nofollow">Causes</a> A worthy cause and great tips. One of the reasons we moved to Mozambique when Esme was 6 weeks old . . . The photo you used was great!

Janes last blog post..Causes

]]> By: Kristen's Raw http://naturemoms.com/blog/2008/05/21/kids-and-commercialism/#comment-5248 Kristen's Raw Tue, 27 May 2008 09:11:45 +0000 http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/?p=1205#comment-5248 I can't wait to homeschool and travel the world with my kids. :) I can’t wait to homeschool and travel the world with my kids. :)

]]> By: Brenna http://naturemoms.com/blog/2008/05/21/kids-and-commercialism/#comment-5247 Brenna Mon, 26 May 2008 19:49:00 +0000 http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/?p=1205#comment-5247 Great post! That photo really got me, but I loved everything that you said.My kids are still pretty young, but I try to do most of the thing you mentioned (I do not sew). We did the TV Turnoff Week back in April and it was a real eye opener for me to see how much my kids love to watch tv, and we don't even watch that much and nothing with commercials. My oldest son is always interested in print ads, though... something I hadn't considered as much. Brennas last blog post..<a href="http://www.clementinenw.com/blog/?p=79" rel="nofollow">What a week (or two)…</a> Great post! That photo really got me, but I loved everything that you said.My kids are still pretty young, but I try to do most of the thing you mentioned (I do not sew).

We did the TV Turnoff Week back in April and it was a real eye opener for me to see how much my kids love to watch tv, and we don’t even watch that much and nothing with commercials. My oldest son is always interested in print ads, though… something I hadn’t considered as much.

Brennas last blog post..What a week (or two)…

]]> By: Carrie http://naturemoms.com/blog/2008/05/21/kids-and-commercialism/#comment-5246 Carrie Sat, 24 May 2008 20:05:08 +0000 http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/?p=1205#comment-5246 You posted that picture of me and Sadie again. :-) Great post. I try to teach my kids how marketers try to sell them on the message that they will be happier if they buy the product. It seems to be sinking in because my boys were talking recently about how commercials lie to you so you'll buy stuff. lol! Definitely keeping the TV off (especially commercialized TV) has been a big part of that in my home. Carries last blog post..<a href="http://naturalmomstalkradio.com/blog/salad-saturday-18/" rel="nofollow">Salad Saturday!</a> You posted that picture of me and Sadie again. :-)

Great post. I try to teach my kids how marketers try to sell them on the message that they will be happier if they buy the product. It seems to be sinking in because my boys were talking recently about how commercials lie to you so you’ll buy stuff. lol!

Definitely keeping the TV off (especially commercialized TV) has been a big part of that in my home.

Carries last blog post..Salad Saturday!

]]> By: chelle http://naturemoms.com/blog/2008/05/21/kids-and-commercialism/#comment-5245 chelle Sat, 24 May 2008 18:23:21 +0000 http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/?p=1205#comment-5245 I have come by this blog a few times, but this post has hooked me completely...I enjoyed this article SO MUCH. We do not watch tv. Once every few days my daughter will watch a dvd for an hour but that is it, even that is not a priority anymore. Most people think we are crazy to do it this way. And some days I am exhausted, then other days as I watch her play and use her imagination, I am so grateful that commercialism is not influencing her like so many others. chelles last blog post..<a href="http://soodz.com/blog/?p=1670" rel="nofollow">Welcome to Canada</a> I have come by this blog a few times, but this post has hooked me completely…I enjoyed this article SO MUCH. We do not watch tv. Once every few days my daughter will watch a dvd for an hour but that is it, even that is not a priority anymore. Most people think we are crazy to do it this way. And some days I am exhausted, then other days as I watch her play and use her imagination, I am so grateful that commercialism is not influencing her like so many others.

chelles last blog post..Welcome to Canada

]]> By: familyonbikes http://naturemoms.com/blog/2008/05/21/kids-and-commercialism/#comment-5244 familyonbikes Sat, 24 May 2008 03:15:21 +0000 http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/?p=1205#comment-5244 Bravo!! I am totally in agreement that kids need to escape from all the commercialism around them. In fact, that was one of the best things that happened as a result of our 12-month bicycle ride back in 2006-07. We spent a year bicycling around the USA and Mexico with our (then) 8-year-old twin boys and it was a fabulous experience. Our boys learned real quickly that they couldn't buy any toys because we couldn't carry them on the bikes - they had to make do with Mother Nature's toys (sticks, stones, rocks, and pinecones) and they had waayyyy more fun than they ever did with storebought toys! Now we are getting ready to take off again - this time to ride from Alaska to Argentina. I can't wait to see how that ride changes my boys! You can read about our journey at www.familyonbikes.org Bravo!! I am totally in agreement that kids need to escape from all the commercialism around them. In fact, that was one of the best things that happened as a result of our 12-month bicycle ride back in 2006-07.

We spent a year bicycling around the USA and Mexico with our (then) 8-year-old twin boys and it was a fabulous experience. Our boys learned real quickly that they couldn’t buy any toys because we couldn’t carry them on the bikes – they had to make do with Mother Nature’s toys (sticks, stones, rocks, and pinecones) and they had waayyyy more fun than they ever did with storebought toys!

Now we are getting ready to take off again – this time to ride from Alaska to Argentina. I can’t wait to see how that ride changes my boys!

You can read about our journey at http://www.familyonbikes.org

]]> By: Rhyah http://naturemoms.com/blog/2008/05/21/kids-and-commercialism/#comment-5243 Rhyah Fri, 23 May 2008 14:13:34 +0000 http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/?p=1205#comment-5243 Awesome post (and pic!!) Thank you so much for sharing. I agree with you 100% and think that kids just sit and vege too much these days! We hardly ever turn our tv on and I am already sewing a lot of my daughters clothing. I'm hoping she will pick up sewing later on too. She's 14 months now and already love playing with the fabric scraps :) Rhyahs last blog post..<a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=11982360" rel="nofollow">Brown and Aqua Bubble Dots Crayon Caddy - 16 washable crayons included</a> Awesome post (and pic!!) Thank you so much for sharing. I agree with you 100% and think that kids just sit and vege too much these days! We hardly ever turn our tv on and I am already sewing a lot of my daughters clothing. I’m hoping she will pick up sewing later on too. She’s 14 months now and already love playing with the fabric scraps :)

Rhyahs last blog post..Brown and Aqua Bubble Dots Crayon Caddy – 16 washable crayons included

]]> By: Lisa @ Corporate Babysitter http://naturemoms.com/blog/2008/05/21/kids-and-commercialism/#comment-5242 Lisa @ Corporate Babysitter Thu, 22 May 2008 16:20:15 +0000 http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/?p=1205#comment-5242 Terrific post and terrific advice for parents. Thank you! Lisa @ Corporate Babysitters last blog post..<a href="http://www.parentsforethicalmarketing.org/blog/2008/05/21/the-lolita-effect-or-yes-virginia-little-girls-really-are-sexualized-by-the-media/" rel="nofollow">The Lolita Effect, or, Yes, Virginia, little girls really are sexualized by the media</a> Terrific post and terrific advice for parents. Thank you!

Lisa @ Corporate Babysitters last blog post..The Lolita Effect, or, Yes, Virginia, little girls really are sexualized by the media

]]> By: Jenna http://naturemoms.com/blog/2008/05/21/kids-and-commercialism/#comment-5241 Jenna Thu, 22 May 2008 16:17:48 +0000 http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/?p=1205#comment-5241 Amazing post! You shared some excellent suggestions! Thanks! : ] Jennas last blog post..<a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/NationalTransportLLC/~3/295653927/" rel="nofollow">Time to Gear Up on Your 10-Speed</a> Amazing post! You shared some excellent suggestions!

Thanks! : ]

Jennas last blog post..Time to Gear Up on Your 10-Speed

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