I have had a hard time lately with how people (in general) do things differently than I do. I just can't seem to put a lid on it, especially when the folks are related to me or when they have major contact with my son. I'll give an example of the latter of the two.
I have been reading a parenting book that is just excellent! It's called
New Parent Power by John Rosemond. It really focuses on "old school" parenting techniques, which I love! I skipped to the chapter on television influences the other night. I knew the media wasn't good for our kids, but the added information gathered from this book has me torn. We, of course, let Liam watch a partial movie in the morning while eating breakfast and while we prepare for the day. What actually bothers me is what he is exposed to at day care. I have yet to arrive at that place with the TV turned off. It's bugged me from the get go, but the advantages of this place seemed to outweigh it. I've re-learned that TV has some serious effects on pre-school age children. That and video games seem harmful in that vital impressionable stage of their life (and actually harms their development later on in life). Focus/Concentration, boredom, lack of imagination, low impulse control, etc.
I was tempted to make copies of that chapter and hand it over to my day care provider (who always has the TV on). Of course I am very non-confrontational, so the thought wore at me.
Then I realized that Liam doesn't stay focused on the TV much anymore. It may be going in the background (which isn't he best), but at least he has an imagination and pretends and loves to be physical. The low impulse control is an issue, but he is still small and has yet to master those skills. I think he'll be okay... whether or not we throw out the TV or "have a talk" with the day care people. I'll just keep doing my best to keep him busy with other things when he is my care.