Friday, July 25, 2008

The Babysitter




I had a free babysitter show up at my house 2 days ago. Her initials are T.V. I was so excited because I could get to all of the things that I wanted to uninterrupted! She proclaimed to be like preschool 24 hours a day. Can you imagine? I let her watch the kids, but they were so grumpy by the time she finished with them it wasn't worth it. I thought she shared all of her friendly animal friends with them and taught them how to share, but by the time I had T.V. get ready to leave, they were fighting about who had what toy. She would tell me before each educator created activity what skill she would reinforce with my 3 precious little ones so I was certain they would come out of the session better than before they started, but NOOOOO. Today, she knocked at my door. I told her that I wouldn't need her today. Let me tell you, it was tempting. May I warn you? If T.V. knocks at your door today, limit her time with your kids. I let her stay way too long and it definitely back-fired.


Now, the boys wake up asking for her and spend any part of the day when they're not sure what to do wondering when she'll come over. When I tell them she can't come, they melt down, throw a fit and you would think they lost their best friend. I am sure she is a sweet girl with some good lessons to reinforce what we teach the kids, but for now, she is not welcome.

photo by aron escobar

9 comments:

kristen said...

T.V. has kept AC way too much this summer! In fact, AC is obsessed with T.V. and I really have to limit her. I think I read in Parents magazine that T.V. should only be allowed to keep your kids one hour a day! Steve really stays on me about this, so I am trying to do better. My child is not an outdoor girl (I can't really blame her in this heat) so we have really tried to keep busy with other things. Cute Cute Post!

Darby said...

Girl, I'm with you on the TV. We're NOT FANS OF HER EITHER! I only let her come during vital moments-- like when Mommy has to have a shower. Paige doesn't like her anyway. Morgan on the other hand is kinda into her. So we don't let her come very often... there are too many books, too many imaginary things to do, too many dolls to care for, and people to dress up as... we don't need her around here either!

{fabulously creative post! i give it 2 thumbs up!}

Paula V said...

I'm 34 and still enjoyed the babysitting of the T.V. For me, it can be an escape of my own life. I found sometimes, I can't read, write, study, blog, but just VEG and escape by watching someone else's life or more than that trying to figure out the who done it of a mystery movie or show like CSI. Believe it or not, there was a time not too long ago when nothing could captivate my attention and calm my anxiety than a show such as Law and Order or CSI by trying to figure out the mystery and know that I had "survived" through another hour of my day.

Tonja said...

Very creative, my friend...and so, so true. You are wise to limit her visits!

Sherrie said...

Andi, I just wanted to thank you for being so diligent with your posts on my blog. Your words are so encouraging as well as others. I have no idea how many people read it.

I look forward to getting to know you better this coming school year. I will take some time off but I will be hanging around getting Sophie used to her new surroundings before she actually starts school. I am so excited! I can't wait for everyone to meet her!!

As far as the TV goes, she has taken over my household and I keep threatening to disconnect her cable!!

Justabeachkat said...

That TV babysitter is very smart...she can weasel her way into your family and before you know it, she's too big of a part of it. She takes over. She tries to become the BOSS. You're very smart to set her straight right away. Cute post.

Hugs!
Kat

Heather said...

She is at my house way too much!

Leah said...

I love this! You are so right! My little ones like her too much!! And it's a struggle to keep them away!

Abby Maddox said...

I want you to know how stupid I am. I sat here, trying to think of who I might possibly know from Dothan with the initials TV! I was imagining this slightly crazed college girl, majoring in early childhood education, desperate for some practice. I was wondering why you didn't feel bad about being so harsh on her...especially since she might read the blog. But I figured if you wouldn't allow her back in your home, something must have gone so wrong you didn't care if it hurt her. It wasn't until I was about to post and beg to know the identity of the mysterious TV, that I read that first comment about TV coming to babysit her daughter too that I finally clued in. How stupid am I?