Breaking the TV shackles

I allude to the fact that we watch too much TV at the O'Neal house. Every morning we watch Playhouse Disney, usually the Heroes and one or two or four TiVoed episodes of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. Almost every night Dada and Isaac watch a movie, usually Toy Story. Isaac's crazy TV addiction started last summer with a mild case of the Wiggles, and we have branched out from there to include a wider palate of Disney in our repertoire, sprinkled occasionally with some 'tubbies and Sesame Street. Some days we watch less TV than other days, but every day we find some way to sneak a little in.

But given Isaac's recent nightmares and obsession with things being spooky or people being scared, I have become seriously concerned with how much and what kind of TV he watches. For this, I really have become dependent on TiVo. For example, he can still watch the Einsteins, but only ones I have saved on TiVo, ones I know aren't going to refer to some stupid wolves in the woods. No longer do I feel safe letting him watch just any kids' TV by himself. Yesterday we were even watching Sesame Street together and Grover or somebody was talking about how they were scared of something lame. This immediately flagged his interest until I told him that it was silly to be afraid of that. Not that fear is wrong, it's just why, WHY WHY WHY must these programs implant the idea that he should be afraid into his brain?

Today was a breakthrough for us in that respect. I feel like a terrible mother before I even say it, but I think today was possibly the first day in a year that we watched no TV. None. All day. Please humor me. For this pretty much meaningless accomplishment, I feel so stinkin' proud of myself.

I am learning that Isaac doesn't actually like watching TV when he first gets up. We usually plop him in front of something for a half-hour so Dada or I can get some coffee in us and become functional human beings, the rationale being that surely he needs us to at least be conversant in order to not be bored out of his gourd. I haven't done this the last two days, and it turns out Isaac would really rather busy himself in his room showing me his toys, uncaring whether or not I'm passed out on the floor from caffeine deprivation. Who knew?