TV/Movies for Children

Dear Parent

My children grew up without a TV at home, but they did watch some TV when traveling (they dismissed it as superficial,) and as they grew older we watched together a few movies. Watching a movie was a big family event, usually deciding on it a couple of days in advance. We would have dinner, then set the living room like a theater, bring the monitor out of the closet, and watch together. 

Initially we watched movies like Secret Garden and Heidi and later Charlie Chaplin’s silent master pieces as well as Yellow Submarine and Amadeus. We chose the movies carefully and we would watch each one a few times and return to them over the years. We discussed each film, marveling its powers, learning from it, and criticizing its weaknesses. We also watched nature videos, ballet, opera, classical music concerts and biographies of great musicians.

With one of two rare exceptions, we did not go to the movie theater, but we did go to classical music and jazz concerts, theater, dance concerts etc. The children also participated in talent shows with their music and acting. We stressed the performing arts live, more than media entertainment. My heart was so full, that I was never in need of adult entertainment away from the children. We traveled through life together.

In addition to the arts, our main form of entertainment was active rather than passive. The children put many shows on for us at home, playing music, acting, dancing, creating skits and other wonders we would never forget. Later, watching our own home-made films became another form of entertainment with much joy and laughter. We also spent time hiking, boating, swimming, or sitting to watch the sunset. Being alive is one grand entertainment and having children is the punch line for me.

As for keeping up with the news I wonder what passes for “news.” Who played Mozart that day or composed a new symphony? Who wrote a beautiful poem? Who fell in love with their child that day? Who suffered of loss and pain? Who was born? Who died? Which bird finished its tour of the sky? Which penguin made it alive through the ice? How many people died of hunger? Who is suffering? Who is enslaved or abused? What games of joy and connection people played that day? Who had a new wise thought or a peaceful scientific discovery?... Most of what is happening in the world is not broadcasted. 

We celebrated the news created alive in our home and in the natural environment and community. The news of buds on the trees, birds returning from their winter wondering, and of a child playing a new piece of music filled our daily lives. Our children didn’t see suffering and were not aware of it till their hearts were vast enough to be able to hold it all dear.

Last week, all our sons were at home for the summer. As we sat down for dinner, our oldest, Yonatan (24) said, “Before we eat, let us think of the people who worked so hard to make these foods, plates and tools available to us. Many of them are slaves who do not have what we have and need our care.” My wonderful son is connected to the human society, aware and caring of what really happens in the world; which is not in the news.

What is broadcasted through the media is but a fraction of what we want to keep up with in the world; much of it is biased, full of lies and intended for control of the masses and for marketing. It is about wars (mass killings designed and marketed by men,) crime and money. Very little of it is real news. My husband often heard this kind of news on the radio on the way home and reported only to me and only when needed. There is very little of this kind of information that is useful to me in making the world more peaceful and loving.

Thank you for asking this question. I hope it helps you discover how entertaining life is: as is. My son, Lennon, recently said is (and I rephrase,) “At the end, after all the effort we make to achieve things, the most enjoyable times of our life are simply being with those we love.” 

Warmly, Naomi Aldort http://AuthenticParent.com