Just when you thought the whole world was trying to be a bad influence on your kids…

Do you ever have those days where you feel like the whole world is against you raising a decent human being?

Okay, I AM exaggerating a little – but just a little.

I have been having quite a few days like that lately. Like this morning when we all overslept and I was trying desperately to get my hair and makeup done in time to make a meeting at work. I showered, got Little J into his clothes and tried to smooth down his hair for picture day. As I was trying to take care of my own hair, I let him watch some Discovery Kids in my room (I know, TV as babysitter = bad mommy).

One of Little J’s favorite shows is The Magic School Bus and it’s very appropriate and educational, so I don’t have a problem with it. It is only about 20 minutes without commercials, so the station uses another 10 minute show as filler. It’s called Paz and is about a little penguin.

Now I should preface by saying that we use very conservative language in our house. If you get tattled on for using the “s-word”, it usually means you said “shut up” or “stupid”, neither of which are allowed. (Neither is “bored” but that’s a whole different post!)

Little J has been doing a little linguistic testing lately, trying out words that are forbidden in our house. I had assumed it was due to the start of school until I kept an ear on the TV during Paz. Guess what word was being used over and over? Yup – stupid!

I guess we are going to have to eliminate that from our morning viewing!

It is really hard to instill the values that you feel are important when you see the influences that kids face everyday. That’s why I was so excited when Mom Central told me about the Responsibility Project. Do you remember that ad where someone did something nice for someone else? This project by Liberty Mutual is based on the response they got from that ad.

The site features 10 little films that highlight just the types of values you work so hard to instill in your kids. Isn’t it nice to have someone else who is on YOUR side?