My 3 1/2 year old son has been asking to watch Spongebob. I watched it once by myself, and it was a little too violent in my opinion so I've told my son he can't watch it yet. But, a friend's daughter (a few months older than my son), watches it all the time, so he's been asking again because this girl watches it.
What is your experience with Spongebob? Is 3 1/2 too young to occassionaly watch it? Or am I being too strict?
I agree with you that Spongebob is completely inappropriate for a 3 1/2 year old. My daughter is only allowed to watch Sprout, Noggin, or PBS. There are much more appropriate TV programs that actually teach children important things like letters, counting, team work, problem solving and values. I feel that there is no need for kids to watch all the other garbage that only sends bad messages and sets poor examples.
I have let them watch it since they were tiny. It really is not an inappropriate cartoon. My husband and i even watch it with them...lol!
I forgot to add, that was my soon to be 7 year olds first word. She would see him hanging around the pediatricians stethescope and the dr would crack up at her saying it so little.
Hi M.! Okay, I've read the others and have to agree, there are other more appropriate shows on pbs and sprout. I let my kids watch him...I think he's hysterical....my neighbor says absolutely not to her kids.....you have seen it and think it is a little too violent and decided no...so stick to your insticts and don't second guess yourself....I don't like power rangers or simpsons....my neighbor allows them....we all have to go with what we think is best no matter what the other guy is doing....Happy Thanksgiving...M.
I will admit that some of the stuff on Spongebob can be a little violent, but what cartoons aren't now a days? My 6 year old loves Spongebob. She loves watchin it with her Pop Pop. It melts my heart to listen to the two of them laughing so hard. My almost 2 year old watches it with her sister too. I'd rather she watch Spongebob than some of the other shows on TV/Nick.
The question isn't really what anyone else thinks is appropriate, but what you're comfortable with. In my experience, this will come up time and time again - in fact, it doesn't end until they're in their late teens. For instance, I was uncomfortable with Rugrats when my kids were little, but other moms couldn't understand why. (I didn't like the sassiness and the attitude of the kids in the show.) Others were letting their kids watch pretty violent PG-13 movies at 9 and 10 years old, and I was still deciding on a case by case basis until they got to be about 15 (PG-13 movies vary widely). I remember that one friend of my daughter owned "The Patriot" at 10 years old - pretty violent and, in my opinion, inappropriate for the age. Another mother allowed her daughter to see "Titanic" in first grade!! In the long run, you have to stick to your guns and do what you think is right. There is a reason Spongebob makes you uncomfortable, so go with that. Of course, you can't control everything they see at other people's houses, but they learn quickly what you find appropriate and why. When they get a little older, make sure you explain why you won't allow that show. Also, later on, if you're uncomfortable with a show because you think the theme is mature (but perhaps it's time you discussed that theme with your child), you might consider watching it with them so you can discuss it together. But if it's because of violence, sex, attitude of the characters, setting a bad example, or any other reason that makes you uncomfortable, go with your instincts, and don't let anyone tell you differently.
I've always avoided Spongebob stuff with my son. He's now 5.5 and is starting to watch it occasionally. Even his preschool teachers told them NOT to watch it! Probably at his age a lot of the stuff will go over his head. There's so much better stuff to watch. PBSKids/Sprout is GREAT for his age!
