I do love the TV, it's a great invention, but I must admit that I hate it sometimes. I’m sure many of you know how easy it is to spend far too much time on the couch. Since I've got at least 50 different channels to choose from and the fact that there is always possible to watch something, even during night-time, I spend far too much time in front of the TV watching programs I don't even like, when I could have done something more useful instead.
On the other hand I love the nights when the kids are asleep, the house is quiet and I can relax in front of my favorite TV-series. To dream away and live the lives of the characters for a little while is a great way of escaping the real world, although I watch far too many series for my own good, most of them I don’t even like.
The series I do like airs on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Therefore I rarely do something else besides watching TV those nights. Tuesday night starts with Ugly Betty, which is followed by Desperate Housewives. I’m totally in to both, but especially Desperate Housewives has caught my full attention since there is always something new going on at Wisteria Lane; Lies, murder, infidelity, stolen babies, deception, you name it.
Ugly Betty is about work and life on MODE; one of the world’s biggest fashion magazines. Actually I’m not very interested in fashion, but if you have seen an episode you know there’s so much more to love. Betty is a strong girl, always being herself regardless of what other people might think. I think Betty is a nice contrast to the girls we are used to see on TV. And of course there is Amanda. Her irresponsible “dumb-blonde-personality” is hilarious!
Despite the fact that I really dislike TV-series which takes place at hospitals since all the seasons with E.R has wore out the genre, I watch Grey’s Anatomy on Wednesdays. Just like I said about Ugly Betty, Grey’s is so much more. The intrigues never go too far, there’s lots of love and emotions and I feel like I know the characters as my own friends.
Speaking of friends, I must mention F*R*I*E*N*D*S, my all time favorite sitcom. I think I started watching Friends in 1994 and since then I have seen every episode multiple times, they never wear out. Despite the fact that I have all 10 seasons on DVD, I often watch the reruns in the afternoons.
As I said, I think TV is a great invention, even though I wonder how life would be without it. What would we do instead? I'm certain that we would be more social, spend more time with our families and talk more to each other.
But a night on the couch in front of a favorite TV-program now and then wouldn't hurt, right?
onsdag 22 april 2009
onsdag 15 april 2009
Assignment #1 - Growing up
Among many things children need, I think the most important one is love. The blessing of growing up in a loving family is something many of us take for granted, but there are lots of children who get lost in life simply because of lack of love.
I grew up with both my parents, two brothers and a sister in a typical Swedish neighborhood with houses built in the 1970's, we also had an old Volvo, a dog and a cat. It was as average as it can possibly be. When I was younger I hated the thought of a future version of myself living that kind of life with my own family, but look at me now. I live just one street away from my parents in a similar house and my children goes to the same school as I once went to. Despite promising myself to never ever do so, I now probably sound just like my own parents when raising my own children.
Why did I become like this? I would say probably because I now understand my parents. I know why they didn't allow us being outside late in the nights or wanted us to always tell where we went. I see the connection between love and boundaries. I will never know what kind of person I had become if my parents would have raised me differently, but I do know that I have much to be thankful for.
This is where we can reflect over the love we feel for our children. To love is not to give them everything they want and desire. There is another aspect we must never forget. Love is also to make sure that the children know what we expected from them and to set clear rules for how to behave both at home and outside. Many parents complain about their outrageous children and there are "Nanny-shows" at almost every TV-channel. I think this is quite alarming. Who is the problem? Is it the children or their parents?
I believe the greatest difference between children today and children 50 years ago is the way of respecting the adults. Today's children lack respect for their parents, teachers and other grown-ups. I am totally aware of the fact that 50 years ago it was allowed to beat your children in Sweden, and that much of what we now refer to as respect actually was fear of being hit. I am certainly not a fan of child abuse, I just believe there must be a way for parents and children to both love and respect each other.
Working in school I meet many "troublesome" children whose parents has lent over the raising responsibilities on the teachers. This is totally wrong, because having children is a commitment for life. It takes a lot of dedication, hard work and patience, but by giving lots of love, encouragement and by setting clear boundaries you can make your child's future as bright as possible.
I grew up with both my parents, two brothers and a sister in a typical Swedish neighborhood with houses built in the 1970's, we also had an old Volvo, a dog and a cat. It was as average as it can possibly be. When I was younger I hated the thought of a future version of myself living that kind of life with my own family, but look at me now. I live just one street away from my parents in a similar house and my children goes to the same school as I once went to. Despite promising myself to never ever do so, I now probably sound just like my own parents when raising my own children.
Why did I become like this? I would say probably because I now understand my parents. I know why they didn't allow us being outside late in the nights or wanted us to always tell where we went. I see the connection between love and boundaries. I will never know what kind of person I had become if my parents would have raised me differently, but I do know that I have much to be thankful for.
This is where we can reflect over the love we feel for our children. To love is not to give them everything they want and desire. There is another aspect we must never forget. Love is also to make sure that the children know what we expected from them and to set clear rules for how to behave both at home and outside. Many parents complain about their outrageous children and there are "Nanny-shows" at almost every TV-channel. I think this is quite alarming. Who is the problem? Is it the children or their parents?
I believe the greatest difference between children today and children 50 years ago is the way of respecting the adults. Today's children lack respect for their parents, teachers and other grown-ups. I am totally aware of the fact that 50 years ago it was allowed to beat your children in Sweden, and that much of what we now refer to as respect actually was fear of being hit. I am certainly not a fan of child abuse, I just believe there must be a way for parents and children to both love and respect each other.
Working in school I meet many "troublesome" children whose parents has lent over the raising responsibilities on the teachers. This is totally wrong, because having children is a commitment for life. It takes a lot of dedication, hard work and patience, but by giving lots of love, encouragement and by setting clear boundaries you can make your child's future as bright as possible.
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