the Baby Einstein thing

So, I was reading blog posts and articles on the recent Baby Einstein controversy. I found them really interesting and decided that I wanted to put my 2 cents in on the topic.

Limit exposure to 'Baby Einstein' and 'Brainy Baby'

I found the articles really interesting but I'm worried about the direction this debate is going to take in the "real world" of parenting. I highly doubt that parents are strapping their children into bouncer seats and forcing them to watch Baby Einstein as some bizarre punishment (though many adults might thing it is punishment). Many parents show the videos because they think it might be beneficial if only by giving mom or dad a moment to collect their thoughts. These are not bad parents.

We seem to be so insecure about our parenting abilities that we eagerly look for ways to point out what other parents are doing wrong. I admit, I get sucked into this mentality myself. We forget that when you get these small infants, they don't come with a handbook of instructions on how to raise them up into wonderful, productive adults. In many cases we're all fumbling around in the dark, trying to keep the peace and maintain our own sanity while not damaging our kids too much. Ultimately though, our children our really God's children and He has the most control over how they develop and who they grow to be.

So I admit, Caleb has watched Baby Monet and his Baby Beethoven CD has saved our sanity on many car trips, much to my husband's dismay. My husband, Andy, enjoys classical music and was not thrilled with the electronic music box sound of the baby CDs. On one car trip, we even tried to switch out the baby CD with a real recording of Beethoven. Caleb cried. We tried playing a real recording of Peter and the Wolf. Caleb cried. So we resigned ourselves to listening to the baby CDs because within a few minutes of Caleb hearing it, he would stop crying and within 15 minutes, he would fall asleep.

Now, he watched Baby Monet every so often when I had a more complicated dinner to get together in our old apartment or when I needed some assurance that he wouldn't be getting into trouble in our house where I can't see what he's up to from the kitchen. Most of the time, he didn't really pay attention to them. He preferred to play with his toys and would only look up at the TV every now and then. I didn't do this to make him more intelligent but it did seem to be something he enjoyed and responded to.

I don't think I should feel guilty about letting my child watch a video geared to babies. I don't think my parents were ever concerned about what TV I watched growing up and some of my earliest memories are of Bugs Bunny and The Price is Right. I don't believe that Caleb watching these videos has had an impact on his development. I don't believe that I'm a neglectful parent because I used a 30 min video to occupy my child so that I could get supper on the table. I don't think that Caleb or Sadie lack for social interaction because we have videos every now and then. Maybe I am justifying my actions but I'm very proud of how my toddler has developed and I have no concerns about how intelligent he's going to be with or without videos. I love him for the sweet adorable boy he is.

so for all the grandparents and family hoping for an update on the kids i'll have a post on thm very oon. now i have to run cause sadie is up and wiggling out of my arms