I let my daughter watch TV while baby sister naps so I can do housework. She has watched and loves Dora. I have lots of DVD's but for this morning slot, I really prefer the ease of the DVR and the shortness of the cartoons (23 min and commercials at the end). However, as a Christan mama, I'm just stinken sick of all the witchcraft and paganism they put in these cartoons. If I see one more "magic crystal" I'm going to puke. Can anyone suggest a short cartoon I can DVR that isn't full of magic and witches.
Meredith D
I suspect that if more Christan parents understood the biblical teaching on witchcraft, they would not allow their kids to watch Harry Potter. Most find it harmless, and I think that it probably is harmless for most teens. However, the practice of which craft and neopaganism amongst teens has risen sharply since this series became popular.
We all have to find that line we draw with our kids while we can still control what they watch. I know mine will be drawn pretty tightly. But I have been greatly influence by a few writers on this subject. Bill Schnoebelen wrote a book called "Lucifer Dethroned". He was raised catholic, became atheist, got involved in white magik, then black magik, the occult, and finally became Christan. His story blew me away and I can no longer take lightly what appears harmless. I know better.
DEUTERONOMY 18:9-14
When you enter the land which the LORD your God gives you, you shall not learn to imitate the detestable things of those nations.
There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, one who uses divination, one who practices witchcraft, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, or one who casts a spell, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead.
For whoever does these things is detestable to the LORD; and because of these detestable things the LORD your God will drive them out before you.
You shall be blameless before the LORD your God.
For those nations, which you shall dispossess, listen to those who practice witchcraft and to diviners, but as for you, the LORD your God has not allowed you to do so.
So yes, to respond to your statement, Jesus is against the practice of witchcraft, and spells. As for viewing them, well, we all know that what we put in has something to do with what comes out. That goes for food, entertainment, books, music, conversation, television.....
I really like Nick Jr. They have shows like Franklin and Olivia that my 4y daughter just LOVES! They are always family friendly and teach some sort of lesson. For non-cartoon, she LOVES LOVES LOVES 'The Upside Down' show and 'Fresh Beat Band'.
Oobi, Caillou, Bubble Guppies, Clifford, Olivia, Max and Ruby, and The Upside Down Show.
Sprout and PBS Kids are wonderful channels.
PBS kids-World World and Super Why
Disney-Mickey Mouse Clubhouse
Nick jr- Wonderpets
Those are a few of my son's favorites.
Our favorites are:
-Jack Big Music Show and Backyardagains for music and imagintaion.
-Bubble Guupies, Sesame Street, Team Umizzomi, Super Why for learning skills for Kinder
- Curious Gorge, Wonder Pets, The Cat in the Hat for social skills, team work or sharing.
-Peppa pig, Calliou and Olivia for family interaction.
Dinosaur train, Sid the Science Kid, Curious George, Wild Kratts, Word World, Super Why, The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot about that, Sesame Street. I personally am not impressed with most of the kids programming that is on the commercial kids stations (disney, nickelodeon, etc) -- the point of that programming is to sell associated products. To get parents to let their kids watch that they thinly veil it in a disguise of "education" (I personally cannot stand Dora or Diego -- my kids watched them once and it was so inane that I could not allow that to continue). My kids have never learned anything significant from shows that were not on PBS.
Good luck finding shows that fit with your values and ideals in teaching your kids.
We love Max & Ruby, Olivia and Backyardigans. Yo Gabba Gabba is also a good one, and so is Wonder Pets. You might not like Yo Gabba Gabba, though because those are his "magic words" to make his toys come alive, although I always took it as him using his imagination and not magic. But then again, we're a Christian family that has no problem with using our imaginations and pretending magic.
You don't say how old she is, but check out some of the stuff on Nick Jr. My son doesn't watch much t.v., but I will say that he LOVES the Bubble Guppies and the Freshbeats. Bubble Guppies are preschool-aged merpeople who do different themes, usually surrounding science or math. The Freshbeats are a teeny-bop band who have silly adventures and play music. Neither involve witchraft, but do have some element of "fantasy".
I'm a Christian mother too and I haven't really found that the preschool cartoons are heavy on witches and paganism! Try Nick Jr of PBS Kids.
My son likes the Leapfrog videos, and Curious George.
Veggie tales - definitely!
Veggie Tales!!! I don't think they're on regular TV, but you can buy the DVDs at Christian bookstores and I think WalMart and Target even carry them.
They are just too cute; each episode is a story from the bible.
(:
Try Mr. Rogers. It's usually broadcasted early in the morning, and is still one of the best children's programs to date. You might have to worry about it being too darn wholesome, loving, value-filled, empathetic and age-appropriate though.
Fred Rogers is one of my heroes. In every way, he worked to create a show that genuinely respected children. From the real, quality jazz played to support the show, to the intelligent interviews and conversations with people of all walks of life, I still enjoy this show and am happy to let my son watch it. It's only a half hour and no commercials, which is a plus!
I would consider getting her some dvds of Veggie Tales. They are short for the most part and only instill christian values.
PBS Kids has so many great shows that my 3 and 6 year old girls like: Word World, Super Why, Dinosaur Train, Curious George, Sid the Science Kid (all educational, no commercials). They also like Disney Jr.: Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Jake and the Neverland Pirates, Babar. On Nick they like Olivia, Max and Ruby, and Team Oomi Zoomi. I don't like that Nick plays commercials though. But I think there are many good options for kids shows on those 3 channels that your daughter will like and don't go against your beliefs.
I am a Christian mom too and I am really mindful of what my daughter watches. Honestly, almost every show has some sort of "magic," when you really look at it- my daughter LOVES Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, but of course in order to get the clubhouse to appear, you have to say the "magic words." Seriously, "magic?" It's EVERYWHERE! (I do let her watch that and she has her favorite episodes.)
My daughter's all time favorite show is Little Einsteins- from a Christian perspective, there isn't much I can say I don't like about that show- the characters are cute and always work together. They speak respectfully to one another (which, sadly, I think is rare in cartoons) and teach about music. She also likes Handy Manny and Special Agent Oso- but we've only seen them a couple of times. We also love Thomas- there are 30 minute episodes as well as short 10 minutes ones.
JFF- I can't stand that show Timmy Time- 23 minutes of of animal babbling makes me want to puke!!
I love hearing that there are others out there who are on the lookout for witchcraft and paganism. It IS everywhere, and although most people think it isn't a huge deal, for some people, it is. Good for you!
Dinosaur Train. It's a great educational show on PBS about a cartoon family of dinosaurs who travel around on a train learning about other dinosaurs. My two daughters LOVE LOVE LOVE it. I've never thought about magic crystals (not being Christian, this wouldn't bother me), but I don't think there's anything remotely religious or anti-religious in Dinosaur Train.
little bear is my all-time fav. It's simplistically sweet.
Max & Ruby, Arthur, & several other of the older choices are good, too.
Yo Gabba Gabba? max and Ruby? i think you are reading a bit much into Dora.
Not sure what your looking for as far as educational or what have you, but we have watched: Sesame Street, Word World, Handy Many, Tom and Jerry, Loney Tunes, Blues Clues and just about anything on Nikelodeon...don't recall and witches ; )
I know you said you wanted TV, but just have to ask if you've ever seen BOZ, the Green Bear Next Door? You can find them at Family Christian STores. He is great. The videos come with 3 15-20 min episodes...FAmily Christian STores also have Veggie TAles, heroes of the Bible - 3 short episodes - for $5 right now...
We LOVE pbs, and i am comfortable with my 3 1/2 yr old watching any shows on it, but we do stick to those for the younger crowd, cat in the hat knows alot about that, sid the science kid, Super Why, etc. But, my daughter and all her friends are "wild" for the Wild Kratts right now!
Handy Manny, The Wonder Pets, Go Diego Go are among my son's favs and they meet your criteria :)
Max & Ruby, Kipper, Olivia
I love Dirt Girl World on PBS its only 12 minutes and all about nature, and gardening
Nick Jr. My kids are not allowed to watch anything but the or sprout. I like nick jr. just for the fact there are no commercials. I hate having my kids marketed to while the tv is on. The love WowWow wubzey (spl), Max and Ruby and Yo Gabba Gabba. I have to admit too I love YO gabba gabba. They have the best guest people on it i.e. Jack black, Sarah Silverman and the lady that plays JAN on The Office. Bubble guppies is cute and very educational. Team Umi Zomie is good too.
Steer clear of nick and cartoon network if you dont like the added stuff. Like the crystals. I hate both those channels. Nick is disgusting and CN is even worse. FAN BOY AND CHUM CHUM WAS THE ONE THAT SET ME OVER THE EDGE!!
How old is your daughter. mine is 2.5 and along with DOra, she has Little Bear and Seseame Street. I love those.
The Bearnstein Bears?
My daughter loves those...
~I think this cartoon would fit your criteria, however you seem VERY intense about the 'witchcraft and paganism' so maybe you should preview a few first? Have you read any of the books? The cartoons generally mimic the books.
We LOVE "Shaun the Sheep" and I dvr "Timmy Time" on Disney Junior. I'm just facinated on how they produce that show. We found two new ones at Wal Mart and I actually squealed out loud I was so excited. Anything that has a "Big Shirley" in it I'm IN!
Do you by chance have the Sprout channel? It has Kipper, Sesame Street, Max and Ruby I think. Or another suggestion, do you by chance have a game system and can streamline Netflix through your television, and they have all kinds of children's programs and stuff to watch!
PBS usually has good cartoons you could DVR. Caillou, Curious George, Clifford the Big Red Dog, Sid the Science Kid, ect. They even have a website with games and info.
You didn't mention how old your daughter was.
And.... I am dating myself a bit... but a kid is a kid... no matter what decade they are in and this gymboree video by Donald Becker kept my daughter entertained for hours.
http://www.amazon.com/Gymboree-VHS-Donald-Becker/dp/63016...
My daughter likes Nick Jr. She LOVES Ni Hao Kai Lan, but the other ones she watches are Bubble Guppies, Pocoyo, Peppa Pig, Little Bear, Backyardagains, Wonder Pets, and a few more. I like Nick Jr. because there are no commercials.
If your really concerned about the content, try going to youtube or hulu and previewing some of the suggestions you get here. It's free and it should give you a good idea if you approve of them or not.
Good Luck! =)
