Kelly Ripa wants her kids to form good habits

Kelly Ripa is quoted in the current issue of People Magazine as saying she hopes to instill better TV habits in her children than what she had as a child.

I’m a child of TV. I was addicted. But I want the kids to develop good habits. They’re allowed to watch an hour of TV on weekends.

Kelly is married to actor Mark Consuelos and they have three children together, Michael, 10 1/2; Lola, 5 1/2 and Joaquin, 3.

Source: People Magazine, April 22 issue, pg. 52

Thanks to CBB reader Colleen.

What are your TV rules, if you have any?

Comments

I think every parent should do what works best for their family, but I do know some families who were really strict with television and it backfired on them. Their kids are adults now and they’re totally obsessed with television – it’s almost as if they’re trying to make up for the television that they missed out on as a child. Now I’m not implying that parents should just throw in the towel and let their kids watch tons of television, but I’m don’t know if severely restricting t.v. is always the answer either – I’m more of a believer of being somewhere in between. I think t.v. can have a good effect on children, if used responsibily.

- Grace on April 20th, 2007

My kids can watch when homework is done age appropriate (which I decide) shows. However since we moved to Charlotte last year I notice they don’t really watch much at all. They would rather be outside playing, riding bikes or just exploring. I refuse to make TV a forbidden fruit that they want because they’ve never had it. There is some good tv, but it’s my job to decide what is appropriate for my kids. I take that responsibility very seriously.

- Loralee on April 20th, 2007

I always find it really amusing when people who have made all of their money off of tv (ie- Kelly Ripa, Madonna), ban their own kids from watching tv. It’s so hypocritical IMO. Madonna would never have been as famous if kids in the 80′s didn’t watch her videos on MTV and Kelly Ripa should be thanking her lucky stars that there are stay at home moms/dads with kids who watch her during the day.

TV isn’t the enemy, bad parenting is. If you spend time doing creative/educational things with your kids and get involved with their learning process, it doesn’t matter if they watch a little tv. One thing doesn’t negate the other. Everything in moderation.

- PSB on April 20th, 2007

When I have kids, school will be the top priority. They can only watch TV once they finish their homework, and that will be absolute.

As far as the content they will be allowed to watch, I believe education works better than censorship. That doesn’t mean they’ll be watching The Sopranos when they’re 5, but if they do have an interest in something rather violent or with sexual dialogue, I will make sure they know the difference between fantasy and reality and right and wrong before I give them that privilege. If it seems they don’t grasp these concepts, they lose that privilege.

- Naughty Cal on April 20th, 2007

Is it just me or is she too skinny. She looks wierd at that angele

- JoyJoy on April 20th, 2007

Kelly is anorexic. (My opinion)

- Lola on April 20th, 2007

Ok, I think way too many kids that I know watch too much tv. Instead of relying on their imaginations they watch it on tv. I am going to try to curb the tv because it seems lately they want more and more. I don’t think because you make a living off tv that means your children should watch more. I respect her decison and she seems like a great parent. Kids need to use their imaginations more, we have become a tv society. I watch my girls watch tv and they are too transfixed. This article made me want to tone it down a bit, less will be more for a bit in our house. To each his own.

- Robyn on April 21st, 2007

My TV and Computer never get shut off.
Me and my son are intelligent in a way that we have to do 4 things at once, we need constant mental stimulation or we’ll go nuts. However the TV NEVER has bad stuff on it, except the news. I dont watch violent or sexual programs. Im a current events junkie. I LOVE educational shows like Mythbusters and when my son gets the remote he only goes to kids channels. I have no complaints about TV.
My son taught himself to read at age 18 MONTHS comparing the TV Guide listings and the Cable ticker at the bottom, so it taught him to read!

ps- my boyfriend makes me shut off the TV in the bedroom.

- preesi on April 22nd, 2007

I agree PSB.

I think that television isn’t as bad as some make it to be. I don’t agree TV should be your child’s babysitter but there is absolutely nothing wrong with a few hours of educational television programming a day. Celebs need to get over themselves! If they watched it as a kid and it didn’t brain wash them, what makes them think it will do the same to their child?

It can’t be any worse then the kids who spend hours playing video games or hanging on the computer? I’d rather my kids watch something educational then play video games that are inappropriate.

- J.M. on April 22nd, 2007

I know my cousin monitors how much her two children get to watch TV and what all they can watch. But it has backfired. They’re so excited whenever they go stay with my aunt since she allows them to watch TV a lot more than my cousin would. So, it’s not a foolproof plan. She’s taken away how much and what they might want to watch, so they’re always happy to be able to break those rules and watch whatever at other houses.

My 3-year-old nephew is one who isn’t given a X amount of hours about when or what he can watch and he isn’t affected by it and he has good habits, as Kelly wants to instill in her children. My nephew will watch a few things on TV for a few minutes or so, depending on what it is or if he even likes it, but the rest of the time he’s wanting to play games, go outside, things not revolving around TV. So, it’s not necessary to have such a heavy hand when it comes to kids and TV watching, etc. They can grow up just fine with TV-watching in their lives. It is possible to have well-rounded children without force.

- Anonymous on April 22nd, 2007