My older son started watching Thomas about 8 months ago and
within roughly 20 minutes of the initial viewing the obsession had taken
hold. Thomas is the standard against
which all other activities are measured.
We talk about Thomas, we play with Thomas, and we sign about
Thomas. Never in my life would I have
thought my husband would be signing the theme song to a kids show, but he is a
boy at heart so I think there is a genetic predisposition there. Thomas is both the sun and the moon to my
almost 3 year old.
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Two days ago I was in the room with him as he was watching an episode. He sat on the couch excited for its beginning and remained enthralled as it progresses (thank goodness they are short On Demand). He giggled and laughed at moments only possibly deemed funny by the preschool set. You can’t talk to him when he is watching and his little brother better be careful if he ever accidentally turns off the TV.
Will’s Thomas collection is not as big as many I’m sure, but to him it’s everything. He has books, DVDs, puzzles, flash cards, and flatware. I try to keep out the clothing and décor. His train table is of course filled with residents of Sodor and we currently house at least 15 different Thomas trains. Thomas is a merchandising juggernaut. You can strongly see the true obsessive power of Thomas when one of these connections is not available to him. He can quickly erupt and turn into one of those toddlers we are always afraid of ours being when we are out in public.
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Will analyzing the tunnel traffic! |
Getting to work on the next indoctrination. |
Last week Will decided he wanted to use his Thomas fork for dinner. “Not possible” we told him as it was dirty. “No it’s not dirty” came back at us, multiple times and at an increasing rate, volume and pitch. Forget that he had used it for breakfast that morning, that fork had to be available to him pronto. He, as impulsive preschools do, asks to see Thomas as soon as the light hits his eyes in the morning and/or as soon as he walks in the door in the afternoon (he can only watch one a day). Threats to prevent him from watching are met with tears and hysterics. We had to put our foot down as he was hysterical when they ended and let him know if the crying continued, that would be the end of Thomas watching, it stopped.
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Thomas the Tank Engine may be more important to him than us. Its only limitation so far seems to be its lack of motivation to use the potty. Yep, I have offered more TV time if he’d just use the potty, so far no luck so maybe there is hope for him after all – but not apparently for me. I realize this obsession with Thomas won’t last forever and in a few years when his face is stuck just inches away from a portable game devise I will wish back for the days of singing at the dinner table, even if it’s the same silly theme song over, and over, and over again.
They’re 2, they’re 4, they’re 6, they’re 8, shunting trucks & hauling freight…….
Copyright 2013 Motherhood Uncorked
Please do not copy or reproduce without permission.
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Please do not copy or reproduce without permission.
Links are just fine, though.