There is a big controversy happening at the Monster House. Big. And by big I mean, even our case coordinator for Early Intervention made her position on the matter known. She agrees with me, because she's a smart woman and I'm always right. Being the Momma gives me that privilege.
The controversy: Is it, or is it not horrible and awful and terrible and horrendous that I have a television and DVD player in the nursery for the twinnie monsterlettes, which plays Classic Disney movies
all. night. long.?
See, here's the reason I do this. If the TV is playing, Logan will sleep all night (with a tiny amount of help from the clonidine fairy) and so will #6. If there is no movie playing, even softly, there is crying and all the ugly stages of meltdown all night long. So. I have no guilt about this. The twinnies are not in front of a television all day long, I don't use it as a babysitter. I use it when they go down for a nap, or down for the night.
You would not believe how much crap I have gotten for this. And, as someone so generously pointed out to me, television addiction is a sign of autism. Really? Wow. But.. I wonder, is this REALLY an addiction to television, or the need for flickery light and sound together? We have tried just playing music on a cd, no TV on. THAT didn't work. We have tried the TV on with no sound. THAT didn't work. Turned on an animated movie, with sound. Sleeping happened in less than five minutes. The way I figure it, don't rock the boat!
And by the way... is anyone noticing a THEME here? Look again. What does EVERY SINGLE picture have in common? Ding ding ding! We have a winner! They are ALL movies with puppies. And as all of us know, Logan has this tiny little appreciation for puppies.
Yes folks, my cute little Logan child is "addicted to TV". But only if it's a "Puppy Show". Otherwise, he just doesn't care. Please tell me some of you have this same thing happening in your home. We have even been known to skip scenes in other movies, to the parts where there is a cameo of a dog. This is how ridiculous this is getting. At the Monster House, even Cinderella is a Puppy Show. Gotta love Bruno.
But. A word to the wise. There is no way, at all, to spin certain things into Puppy Shows. I'm just sayin'. I refuse to tell anyone how I know this.
15 comments:
That's odd. My sister's kids would stay up all night long if there was a tv to stare at... and I can't sleep soundly if there's a television on.
I wonder if they're managing to sleep soundly and hit all the necessary stages of sleep? If so, then it probably isn't a problem. If not then it would be.
Except I don't trust Disney at all and I'm not sure I'd want my kids to get so much subliminal Disney input.
I really can't see the issue. It's like the parents who think you're the spawn of the devil if you allow your kids sleep in your bed (gasp!).
If you found something that allows you (and the smallies) to sleep grab it with both hands!
The Perfect Parent gestapo can feck off!
XXX
I say if their sleeping and ur sleeping then who is it hurting? I'm sure someone in the world wud give you grief over giving Logan a sleep aid but if you didn't then what wud the outcome be?
I wish Racer was like this, the boy needs sleep more then anyone I know besides you and me and all the other sleepless ASD mommies in the world. (and some daddies)
I agree with you. If you find something that works, especially after as hard a journey as you had FINDING something that works, I don't see why people are up in arms about it. I've known plenty of people who couldn't sleep unless x happened. Mine is that I can't have *any* television or radio. I once spend a year learning to sleep with radio, but my ability to do so is now unnecessary and therefor completely nil once more. Why should I change that? (shrugs) Now, if you were blaring something that kept them unable to rest, then sure. Or if you were, as you said, babysitting them with the television, that wouldn't be good. But you're not doing that. People just have to learn to think outside the box.
my motto is, and has been since my son's SPD diagnosis, "whatever gets you through the night". only you know what is best for your family.
When my son was smaller (and still sometimes) he would NOT sleep in a bed. He refused, and it would be meltdowns all night. I got crap because my son didn't have a proper bed, but you know what, he wrapped himself in a blanket and curled up on the floor in his room in the same spot every night and slept fine. He will now sleep ON the bed, but I cannot pull the blankets back and get him to sleep under them, he wants one throw sized blanket to wrap himself completely in and thats good enough for me. He sleeps, we sleep, all is well.
There was about 6 months there when the only thing that would make Child 1 stop screaming was the Teletubbies. So... we watched a LOT of Teletubbies, and all night long. Except, in my room and my bed, because that's where the TV is.
I hate the Teletubbies
Oh, and, I'm sorry, but television addiction is NOT a sign of autism. Who told you that?
jillsmo: I need to amp up the sarcasm dripping from my response to the person who said television addiction is a sign of autism. It was either in an email I read a while back, or in one of my comments here. I'll have to go back and try to find it. Seriously. I was like, Really? Wow. That's some really new research you've got there. Which medical journal can I find that in? ;)
Jean,
I love your way with words. We must chat! We must get you to write here!
much love,
The Momma
With kids like ours you do what works... period! Before I had Miss Em I VOWED she would not watch more than 30 minutes of TV a day. Ya whatever! Em does not just veg in front of the TV all day but Disney Princess movies and Charolottes Web plays continuously in our house. The backround noise is soothing for her and eases her anxiety. Honestly I already know that a TV in her room is inevitable- it is really the only thing that consistently works for her!!
It is easy for people to judge when they are on the outside looking in, I always tell people to come and stay at my house for a week then lets talk!
Glad you found something that works!!
If you really feel like you have to change things, you can try finding some educational show about puppies and play that all night. See if it works. But as long as they're sleeping, I think it's fine. We were all molded by Disney; why should the twinnies be any different??
FWIW, I sleep much, much better with something on quietly in the background. It's a formula: not so loud it keeps me up; not so quiet I strain to listen; not so interesting I force myself to stay awake to see how it ends. I used to fall asleep to Nick at Nite and wake up to Nick, Jr. -- handy as it kept me in the know with the kids shows, a professional plus!
I don't see a problem with it. If it helps everyone get their much needed rest it should be utilized.
That's how I see it anyway.
Both my kids sleep with their TVs on. I couldn't care less. Whatever works.
My kid will only sleep in a pitch black room. Which works if we're at home--but not if we're traveling--unless we go to bed when he does. Boy, that makes for a boring vacation. Unless there's liquor involved.
Perfect Parent Gestapo. LOVE!
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