"Did I do that?"

Man oh man, and I thought dealing with enforcing the SpongeBob ban was difficult!

Several months ago I actually took the time to watch a entire episode of SpongeBob Squarepants. Of course in telling you this I am in essence, admitting that I am apparently one of those parents who doesn't monitor every single program their child watches on T.V. because I never screened this show, but figured since it was so popular with the Pre-K set, I didn't need to worry. In my defense I try very hard to keep his vegetation periods in front of the television to a minimum, and do know WHAT programs he watches, but ya know, apprently this one slipped through the screening cracks. No excuse, I know, so shoot me, and put me out of my misery... But before you do, let me finish my story.

Well after watching the show, I decided it definitely wasn't suitable for impressionable 5 years old - more specifically MY 5 year old. I heard more "stupids" and "idiots" in that one show than in the entire family reunion we attended last summer (but that's a whole other blog topic). Not to mention the fact that the characters constantly resort to physicality to resolve disputes, they routinely use sarcasm, ridicule, and just plain rude comments with each other. The show even made reference to a panty raid? Hello?!

The way I look at it, I got enough problems trying to explain the difference between the 10 commandments and house rules to JR, and quite honestly, have better things to do than spend afternoons explaining the difference between "cartoon violence" and acceptable behavior to him in a manner he can understand. There are way too many educational programs out there without dealing with this stuff already. And so, in a nutshell, we've banned it in this house, having explained to him that we feel it's not appropriate for kids his age. He doesn't like it, but he's good about obeying the rule.

Okay, so back to my latest problem. My son has recently been introduced to the world of Steve Urkel. Yeah, that Steve - the one who walks around with his pants hiked up to this neck, spouting phrases like "Did I do that?", "Got any cheese?" and "Ha ha (snort-snort)". He is now obsessed with the show. He heard a promo on Nick that said it comes on every nite and of course every nite he begs to watch it. It breaks a mother's heart to see him gaze at Steve Urkel with that same adoring look that just yesterday (or so it seems) he used when the Wiggles were on TV!

Now I HAVE watched this show and truth be known, even dressed as Steve one Halloween long, (long) ago, and while I actually think it's a somewhat better choice than Spongebob, I just am not sure I'm ready to see my 5 year old enter the world of grown-up television. Can't he obsess over some really wholesome show like, for example, the Waltons?

On second thought, he already tries to drag out his bedtime by ensuring that everyone in the house go in to say good-night to him. I am DEFINITELY not up for Grandma, Grandpa, Mama, Daddy, John-Boy, Jason, MaryEllen, Ben, Erin, Jim-Bob & Elizabeth Walton adding their good-nights to the mix...