If the title of this post gives you no idea what I'm talking about, you probably don't have young kids. Either that or you're living in a van down by the river.
Remember our Christmas in September post where we surprized the kids with a Thomas the Train table and all the fixin's!?
Yes, it is still their favourite toy to play with.
No, that's not the point of this post.
As part of the package, we received 17 VCR tapes documenting the trials and tribulations of the life and people on Sodor Island. To some it may be imaginery but to my kids, Sir Topham Hatt, Thomas and all his friends exist.
And that's where the problem lies.
The kids are at an impressionable age. Since we don't have tv or frequent toy stores with them, I hadn't really had a chance to see it in action until now.
I was shocked.
I'm not sure if you've ever watched even one Thomas movie but the characters are mad in every.single.one. They're also afraid of e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g, including wind and rain.
I'm all about encouraging my kids to feel. Fear and anger are real feelings. However, when your child tells you that they're mad simply because Diesel was, it's time to think about what your kids are watching.
The last straw was when Nanna and I heard one of the characters use the word "stupid". I didn't even bother to rewind to find out the context. To me, it doesn't matter. If that word is fine to use with young children then what else is?
In turn, Sir Topham Hatt called an emergency meeting and told Thomas and his Friends about my disappointment.
What has Surprized/Disappointed You?
P.S. This picture was not a set-up, it was one of Max's creations.
Besos, The Zoo
I have watched some Thomas episodes and found this to not be the case, but I know that there are many iterations of the Thomas series. Yikes! It really goes to show that you have to be present when you give your kids screen time - don't just leave them to watch it alone. I try when I can to watch with my daughter and discuss what is going on (she only watches Dora so it's not very complicated). Thanks for sharing - love the photo!
ReplyDeleteHadn't really thought about all the anger and petulant behavior in Thomas. My Goddaughter is now terrified of Thomas (she use to LOVE him) because some kids at daycare told her he was mean. Maybe that's why!
ReplyDeleteWe have three boys under 5 and Thomas is a big part of our house...we have found that the "new" Thomas DVD's and stories are much more inline with the programming we want our kids exposed to. They have stories which reflect on working hard, being part of a team, respecting our friends etc.. (I have found the same to be true about Thomas Books and stories - the older style series has much more words and themes that i find myself ommiting when we are reading.)We also are a no tradditional TV family - meaning we don't have cable and don't get regular channels. Kids are able to watch DVDs we rent from the library or special episodes that we find on netficks. It makes us much more aware of what they are watching because it dosn't just become "background noise" with the TV on. As with any toy, its finding something that works for your family...
ReplyDeletefrom this mom - stuck on sodor island, Leah