On Demand

What is worse than a demanding 2 ½ year old?
A 2 ½ year old and “on demand” recording from your cable company. I should probably include any form of recorded media as well including tape and DVD, since we also have these scattered around the house as well.

Perhaps another good phrase for this post is; Good technology in the wrong hands is nothing but a good idea gone horribly wrong.

One of the shows William (our 2 ½ year old) absolutely loves is Blues Clues. Now, this is really a good show. It has won numerous awards, such as; Best Educational TV Show or Series, Outstanding Achievement in Children's Programming, and even a Peabody Award.









So, what is so bad about Blues Clues? Absolutely nothing!

However, when one has dozens of episodes recorded via on demand (thanks to older siblings), DVD and tape; all of which are easily accessible from a handy remote, push of a button or convenient box; then the demanding 2 ½ year old would like nothing more than to watch Blues Clues every waking moment of every waking day over and over and over again. Of course, when he does not get his way, he throws a horrible fit!





It’s almost as if William thinks he is entitled to it because we have it and he can technically watch it when ever he wants.

Of course we, as good parents, will work with him so that he realizes that he is not entitled to what ever he wants when he wants it. And that throwing a fit is not the proper response.

And this leads me to my next thought….









What ever happened to the good old days when there were no recordings? Shows aired once a week and we all anxiously looked forward to watching the next exciting episode of our favorite show?

You know, “same bat time, same bat channel”.






In fact, though I may be embellishing this just a bit, we would gladly do our chores, homework, and go outside and “be good” all week just so that we would not miss watching our favorite show.

Ah, the good ol’ days….