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Summer Sanity Saver- Cartoon recommendations for Moms

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Nobody is proud about using the tv to help entertain our kids, but for brief uses of appropriate content I just don’t think it’s the end of the world.  For us, the tv is how I keep everybody safe and contained so I can make a healthy dinner.  It keeps the kids from ending up underfoot near the hot stove and sharp knives or unsupervised around the house.  I know the day is coming where I can send them on a bike ride around the the neighborhood or have them read books (or help!) while I cook, but right now tv is my solution.

I do run into a problem where the kids are asking me about a new show and I realize that I don’t know anything about it other than the brief Netflix description.  If my goal is for the kids to watch tv while I’m doing something else, then I’m not really in a position to try out something new if I’m not sure it will be appropriate.  Of if I’m going to spend some time on the couch with them, I’d rather not waste that time watching something that’s going to make me want to poke my eye out.  So I wanted to compile some tv recommendations from moms for moms.  What are our favorite cartoons?  Why do we love them?  Why can you feel confident letting your kids watch them?

I’m going to give you my recommendation today, but I want YOUR help, too!  (check the bottom of the post for more info)

Recommendation from: Maralee

The show: Phineas and Ferb

Where to find it:  It’s a Disney Channel show, but we watch it on Neflix

Why kids love it:  It has bright colors, a fun song in each episode, and the main characters are brothers who create really imaginative inventions.  There is also a subplot in every episode that involves a secret agent platypus who battles evil Dr. Doofenshmirtz.

Why moms love it:  There is a lot of humor that is directed at adults (similar to how The Muppets do it).  The kids will laugh at one joke while the next one is a reference only you get. The mother is a very relatable mom (loving, hard working, frustrated with tattling, proud of her kids, and a bit sarcastic) and the boys have a great friendship.  The daughter is constantly trying to “bust” her brothers, which I find funny and also very relatable with the usual brother/sister dynamic.

Moral content:  This show encourages creativity and teamwork.  Everybody’s strengths are valued (both the brothers and also a crew of neighborhood kids).  While the boys seem to get away with dangerous activities, they never actually hide them from their parents or lie about them.  They clearly love and value their family and often use their talents to help others.  It is a blended family (father and son that married a mother with a son and daughter), but how that happened is never addressed.  In light of our family’s adoption story, I like that the brothers are not biological brothers.  In the subplot, the family pet fights evil.  I like how evil is clearly defined and good always prevails.  The villain always has a sad backstory, but Agent P doesn’t get sucked into the excuses.

Any warnings:  The parents may have been divorced, but that’s never addressed.  Your kids may try to “create” their own inventions (as mine have done), which can be a blessing or a curse.  The sister (Candace) has an all-consuming crush on a boy.  The parents seem to be unaware of what their kids are doing most of the time.

Favorite quote:

Linda: Oh yeah! Well, that was long before you were born. It was fun, but I was happy to give it up to raise a family.

Candace: But you were Lindana and you wanna have fun!

Linda: Well, now I’m Linda and I wanna stir broth.

Link:  http://disneychannel.disney.com/phineas-and-ferb

So now I want your help!  Do you have a favorite cartoon that has a good moral center, kids enjoy it, and it doesn’t make you want to bury your head in the couch cushions?  I’d love to have a guest post from you so we can share the love with other moms trying to make it through the summer.  Here’s the link to a form you can fill out for me and we’ll get your thoughts up on the blog.  Thanks from me and all the other moms who need to hear what you’ve learned from way too many hours of trial and Netflix/cable/PBS/hulu error.

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