Comments on: Is Your Child Getting “Junk Experience?” http://www.parentatthehelm.com/289/is-your-child-getting-junk-experience/ Your Family's Incredible Lifestyle Begins HERE - With Homeschooling Thu, 02 Feb 2012 05:07:44 -0500 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Mia http://www.parentatthehelm.com/289/is-your-child-getting-junk-experience/comment-page-1/#comment-1942 Mia Mon, 29 Mar 2010 01:22:24 +0000 http://parentatthehelm.com/?p=289#comment-1942 The first thing I thought about was TV and recreational computer time as well. Even if it is educational or "nourishing" in some way, you have to ask yourself if it's the BEST experience your child could be having. Being the compulsive/perfectionist person that I am, with three kids, if I tried to think about this every minute of the day, not only would I never get anything done, I would probably not be a very pleasant person to be around! ;) However, I do see the benefit in assessing how your children spend the better part of their day or, at least, make an effort to block off "x" number of minutes or hours to do something meaningful as a family. I have a 12 y/o, a 9 y/o, and a 5 y/o - all girls. I want them to remember me as one who looked them in the eyes and listened intently, was interested in their words, and loved them deeply when they grow up. I want them to remember their childhood fondly. The first thing I thought about was TV and recreational computer time as well. Even if it is educational or "nourishing" in some way, you have to ask yourself if it's the BEST experience your child could be having. Being the compulsive/perfectionist person that I am, with three kids, if I tried to think about this every minute of the day, not only would I never get anything done, I would probably not be a very pleasant person to be around! ;)

However, I do see the benefit in assessing how your children spend the better part of their day or, at least, make an effort to block off "x" number of minutes or hours to do something meaningful as a family. I have a 12 y/o, a 9 y/o, and a 5 y/o – all girls. I want them to remember me as one who looked them in the eyes and listened intently, was interested in their words, and loved them deeply when they grow up. I want them to remember their childhood fondly.

]]> By: Ann http://www.parentatthehelm.com/289/is-your-child-getting-junk-experience/comment-page-1/#comment-1933 Ann Sun, 28 Mar 2010 19:51:59 +0000 http://parentatthehelm.com/?p=289#comment-1933 I don't believe any experience is 'junk.' I learned from watching boys commit a robbery in my neighborhood when I was a child. My boys learn incredible vocabulary from their 'violent' video games. They watch a lot of TV too, and they retain nearly everything they see and hear there, most of it pretty useful. I thought maybe a junk experience example might be going to Disney instead of on a real vacation, lol, but I guess even that could be used in a positive way. I don't believe any experience is 'junk.' I learned from watching boys commit a robbery in my neighborhood when I was a child. My boys learn incredible vocabulary from their 'violent' video games. They watch a lot of TV too, and they retain nearly everything they see and hear there, most of it pretty useful.

I thought maybe a junk experience example might be going to Disney instead of on a real vacation, lol, but I guess even that could be used in a positive way.

]]> By: Grandma Linda http://www.parentatthehelm.com/289/is-your-child-getting-junk-experience/comment-page-1/#comment-51 Grandma Linda Sat, 26 Dec 2009 16:32:46 +0000 http://parentatthehelm.com/?p=289#comment-51 Kids have grown so I have to dig into the recesses of ancient history to answer this one. Back then, TV viewing was certainly at or near the top spot. NOVA was around then, and always recorded for use at appropriate times! Popular movies fell into this category, too, as did SOME (not all) activities some of their friends were involved in. What did I learn? In keeping with the saying, "Only an empty cup can be filled," I gave them the latitude to follow interests and passions, thereby greatly filling up the cup. In the long run, it's a lot easier - and most definitely a lot healthier approach for all concerned - to have "a cup too full" for too much junk. Kids have grown so I have to dig into the recesses of ancient history to answer this one.

Back then, TV viewing was certainly at or near the top spot. NOVA was around then, and always recorded for use at appropriate times! Popular movies fell into this category, too, as did SOME (not all) activities some of their friends were involved in.

What did I learn? In keeping with the saying, "Only an empty cup can be filled," I gave them the latitude to follow interests and passions, thereby greatly filling up the cup. In the long run, it's a lot easier – and most definitely a lot healthier approach for all concerned – to have "a cup too full" for too much junk.

]]> By: Trish Dish http://www.parentatthehelm.com/289/is-your-child-getting-junk-experience/comment-page-1/#comment-47 Trish Dish Fri, 25 Dec 2009 21:18:42 +0000 http://parentatthehelm.com/?p=289#comment-47 So...what goes for a Junk Experience in the Dobson household? And has that changed over time? Some phrases just capture so eloquently a whole train of thought...junk experience is one of those. For us, many TV experiences fall into that category (for adults too!). Now, our TV is an educational tool. Nature and Nova have some great programs, and some cable shows like the Mythbusters and Dirty Jobs are very educational IMHO. But I have to watch how we use our tool! Nothing easier than turning it on to keep the kids (ages 6.5 yrs, 3.5 yrs and 1.5 yrs)occupied while I do chores...and so I will think to myself "junk experience...beware" when I do that next time! So…what goes for a Junk Experience in the Dobson household? And has that changed over time?

Some phrases just capture so eloquently a whole train of thought…junk experience is one of those.

For us, many TV experiences fall into that category (for adults too!). Now, our TV is an educational tool. Nature and Nova have some great programs, and some cable shows like the Mythbusters and Dirty Jobs are very educational IMHO. But I have to watch how we use our tool! Nothing easier than turning it on to keep the kids (ages 6.5 yrs, 3.5 yrs and 1.5 yrs)occupied while I do chores…and so I will think to myself "junk experience…beware" when I do that next time!

]]> By: Grandma Linda http://www.parentatthehelm.com/289/is-your-child-getting-junk-experience/comment-page-1/#comment-44 Grandma Linda Wed, 23 Dec 2009 14:50:58 +0000 http://parentatthehelm.com/?p=289#comment-44 Hi, Jay, Checked with the webmaster who said that's not possible, at least at this moment in time...I'm sorry. Please keep reading, though. Now that you've planted the seed, we'll be alert for that. Thanks for your nice note - I hope you and yours have a terrific holiday coming up! Grandma Linda Hi, Jay,

Checked with the webmaster who said that's not possible, at least at this moment in time…I'm sorry. Please keep reading, though. Now that you've planted the seed, we'll be alert for that.

Thanks for your nice note – I hope you and yours have a terrific holiday coming up! Grandma Linda

]]> By: Jay http://www.parentatthehelm.com/289/is-your-child-getting-junk-experience/comment-page-1/#comment-40 Jay Tue, 22 Dec 2009 18:25:32 +0000 http://parentatthehelm.com/?p=289#comment-40 Linda, I like the metaphor of some experiences being junk....the foremost these days being video games. We are a young homeschooling family of 2 years and enjoy reading your blog for encouragement. We would like to see whole posts in the rss feed for ease of reading in Google Reader. Have a great holiday! Jay Linda,

I like the metaphor of some experiences being junk….the foremost these days being video games.

We are a young homeschooling family of 2 years and enjoy reading your blog for encouragement. We would like to see whole posts in the rss feed for ease of reading in Google Reader.

Have a great holiday!

Jay

]]>