I was thinking about this the other night. While I'm sitting in the living room watching something like Dog the bounty hunter or what ever. My wife is in our bedroom watching House, and the kid is in the spare bedroom watching something on Disney (that's so raven I think)
Now I thought what happend to family programing?? I have very fond memories of sitting down and watching Cheers, the Cosby show, and others as a family every week. And at least 3 times a week at that. Now I can't seem to enjoy anything that the kid likes that the wife likes also. LOST is really the only thing we do watch as a family, and sometime not that. To bad it's gotten like this.
I cried, "Oh, Lady Midnight, I fear that you grow old, the stars eat your body and the wind makes you cold." "If we cry now," she said, "it will just be ignored."
what??? no desparate housewives together as a family??? what is their to watch together... 7th heaven is still on... and gilmore girls... haven't seen veronica mars for a while... or smallville... but there is no more sunday nite disney or ed sullivan... but rather primetime and such... wholesome programming on something other than cable??? not any more....
I have to be honest - there's hardly anything on that I'd feel comfortable letting a little one watch these days. If it's not the show itself then it's the commercials! What's worse is, now even if you go to the theatre and choose a Pg movie, you'll still get R-rated previews ....
"Wholesome" and "family" is not something that goes with television and movies anymore. Family traditions have also gone by the wayside. When mom and dad have to work to keep up with the rising cost of everything, they are just too tired of an evening to sit and watch TV with the kids. Also, most families don't have sitters, housekeepers, yardkeepers, etc., so all that work needs to be done by mom and dad along with all the cooking, grocery shopping, bill paying, car upkeep, and millions of other things that wear people out. Fun is almost a pasttime. Sunday BBQ with Gram and Gramps is almost unheard of since most of the families live in cities where they can make more money. This is a terrible rant and I apologize to all.
Sunday BBQ with Gram and Gramps is almost unheard of
This is the ONE tradition that I hang on to fiercely. Probably about once a month we (3) families get together for games, cards & watch the 3 dogs run around! If it ever gets lost, it will never be found again. American families really need the 3-generational thing to keep them grounded. (((JJ))), I hope you have this, too.
And we all talk about which TV shows and which movies we like, sometimes coming up with weird pairings! Mainly blockbusters are liked by all, so it needs very broad appeal.
Well, first you have to have a family that has those terms - grandparent/parent all defined. Some people are raised by their grandparents or by siblings or half a parent ... it's not clean-cut anymore...
Well, first you have to have a family that has those terms - grandparent/parent all defined. Some people are raised by their grandparents or by siblings or half a parent ... it's not clean-cut anymore...
I agree with that. I just don't think that they are making the same type of shows that have appeal to all the family (regardless of the type) anymore.
LionQueen wrote: Well, first you have to have a family that has those terms - grandparent/parent all defined. Some people are raised by their grandparents or by siblings or half a parent ... it's not clean-cut anymore... I agree with that. I just don't think that they are making the same type of shows that have appeal to all the family (regardless of the type) anymore.
What I was looking for here, Lion & Snootch, was acknowledgment that I, for one, am trying to keep together the traditional American family. It takes lots and lots of work. It's what I do. And it is very, very hard. Very hard.
I always feel that this (board) is the family that cheers me on & supports me, just as I cheer & support your efforts, in whatever areas that might be. As the instructors in Yoga always say, it's the INTENTION that counts.
I want families to be together. Most of "my family" has been split by divorce & the pain is so great for the children. I give grandparenting the highest priority, because these children are our future. WHEREVER that support comes from IS family, even here.
My parents were farmers & we watched 3 fuzzy TV channels, but we watched together (Sea Hunt, Bonanza, etc.). Quite often, now, I join the activities that the children are into, so there is give & take on both sides. And we play dominoes with the much older generations, too. So much compromise is necessary today, now more than ever.
I know first hand what the divorce can do from the childrens end. I know that is why I put so much priority on my family. I intend on doing whatever I can to keep it stable as possible, and allow my daughter to have here parents there at all times. I know that as far as my Sis and I are concerned. I know that's why we live where we do also. We both bought homes less than a block (as the crow flies) from my mom. Nothing better than being able to look from the door to my screen porch on my garage and yell a hello to my sister. and knowing that my mom is a block away, and always has coffee on is nice also.
So yes in greater america the traditional family is fading, but there are those who still strive to keep it going. And for those who are in here....this is just another extention of family that we all can use to help lift us to new levels of greatness in our own lives.
I cried, "Oh, Lady Midnight, I fear that you grow old, the stars eat your body and the wind makes you cold." "If we cry now," she said, "it will just be ignored."
i grew up in a family where family is #1... i would arrange the sunday get togethers and make sure everyone would be there... now, being back home, i have started the same with hosting thanksgiving and july4th... and the other sisters are following suit... with easter and christmas. i am trying to get my kids to follow with the same in florida... my daughterinlaw is doing well at getting my daughter to visit them... and it is nice to see... they say that even doing something as simple as having supper together increases the chances for kids to have a better life and be more successful. time spent together is impotant... sharing, the way that we do, is a basic human need.... you guys are terrific!!!
I'm prpud of all of you for having such a great sense of family. It's an endangered species. So many people so worried about the fewer numbers of this species and that, and that's a;; great and wonderful - but what about people?
& Snootch
