Ashlee Simpson-Wentz Says Bronx Is All About Spongebob

Fame

First-time father Pete Wentz is, without a doubt, beaming with pride these days. In an exclusive interview with Just Jared, his wife Ashlee Simpson-Wentz reveals that, when it came to their 10-month-old son’s first word, he beat her to the milestone. “‘Dada,’ was actually his first thing to say, then came ‘mama’ — he says ‘dada’ all the time!” the Melrose Place actress shares.

In addition to slowly forming words out of his baby babble, Bronx Mowgli continues to play the role of the household comedian. “He’s developing every week and couldn’t be better, couldn’t be healthier,” dishes Ashlee.

“He’s silly! He’s always laughing at himself and making new noises.”

Citing “interacting…really watching him develop” as one of her favorite mother-son pastimes, Ashlee — who enjoys frequent games of peek-a-boo with her baby — is holding out hope that Bronx will live up to his name. “[When we were discussing names], Pete said [Bronx] and we both loved it and there was never any further discussion on if we loved the name or not,” she explains.

“It’s tough and Mowgli’s adventurous so you can be anything!”

Ashlee — who raves she loves nothing more than to “hang out with my son and husband!” — is prepared to head to Las Vegas with the family for her 25th birthday on October 3rd. However, for baby boy’s upcoming first birthday celebration on November 20th, Ashlee admits the party plans are still up in the air. “I’m sure we’ll do something — whatever he’s into!” she explains.

A possible contender when it comes to Bronx’s birthday theme? Spongebob Squarepants.

“He loves to say, ‘Bob,’ for Spongebob! Everything’s ‘Bob’ right now.”

Source: Just Jared

– Anya

Comments

my 4 yr old daughter also loves Spongebob! he’s so funny, i love him too

- sil on September 30th, 2009

a 12mo shouldn’t be watching sponge bob, that’s sad

- laura on September 30th, 2009

I don’t understand why it’s so sad that he watches Spongebob. My 5 month old loves television but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t get tons of mommy/daughter time, tummy time, time outside, etc.

- Robyn on September 30th, 2009

I agree, TOO young for Spongebob. I don’t even like my children ( 5, 3) watching it, but, it DOES stop bickering ( about toys) for a few minutes while they watch. Why must a 11 month old watch that?

- Kim on September 30th, 2009

I didn’t read where it said he actually watches SpongeBob – maybe he just likes the toys.

- miameows on September 30th, 2009

How do you know he watches Spongebob on TV? Ashlee never said anything about him watching it. Maybe someone gave him a spongebob stuffed animal or toy – Spongebob is everywhere these days. Or maybe Pete likes to watch it so Bronx is in the room when it’s on. Don’t judge, we have no idea how Bronx knows about Spongebob. And the “headline” to this story is misleading – nowhere does Ashlee say that Bronx is “all about Spongebob”. She says that he CALLS everything “Bob”

- Amandamay on September 30th, 2009

Kim and Laura, I could not agree more with you!!! An 11 month old baby watching TV?? Hmm, sounds like the parents are looking for a babysitter. That is very sad!

- Miranda on September 30th, 2009

I’m more confused about everyone calling him 12 and 11 months, doesn’t the article clearly say he is 10 months old? I mean it doesn’t make a difference, but when I get up on my soapbox I like to have all of my facts correct.

- Sadie on September 30th, 2009

Miranda where does it say he watches spongebob on TV? Honestly some people!

- iluvallbabies on September 30th, 2009

Nothing wrong with a baby watching Spongebob ladies!!! C’mon you really think they can “understand” what their saying, such uptighties we got here!

- Viv on September 30th, 2009

My daughter loved spongebob between 1-2 and was completely obsessed. Now she has moved onto Dora and Diego kids go through phases so fast I like to let her explore and learn what she can from the characters until she moves onto the next one. She learned quite a bit from that obnoxious character and it was easy to point out right and wrong to her. I can’t protect her from everything and i certainly don’t use the tv as a babysitter but everyone deserves some down time. Nothing wrong with Ashlee’s parenting on this issue.

- April on September 30th, 2009

I knew people would be all judgmental on this post! That is why I came to the comments. SO predictable. Really, who cares if he catches some tv and if he watches Sponge Bob. I personally think it’s terrible (the show, not entertaining) but if he likes the silly look of the show, the sounds and songs and his parents like it let it be.

- tara on September 30th, 2009

Sad that TV is a huge part of kids’ life these days. And I agree that Spongebob is not fit for an 11-month old.

-meream

- All Women Stalker on September 30th, 2009

My son didn’t really get a much TV at all until after he was 2 (and still just a little now, at 3), but LET ME TELL YOU he knew who all the characters were!! They are everywhere, people!!! =)

- mmh on September 30th, 2009

Oh brother.

I’m sure Bronx is placed in front of the television at all times when he is awake and is left there so his parents do not have to watch him.

Give them a break. The article doesn’t even mention in what context he’s become familiar with Spongebob. Even if he’s seen him via television, I doubt his life will be ruined. I’m not an expert on other children but I know my own sons, at 10 months, did not have the attention span to sit and watch an episode of anything so while the television may have been on, my kids were tottering around elsewhere in the room.

The only thing I find sad about this post is the assumptions being made from it. Nothing Ashlee said even hinted at her using the television screen as a babysitter but, as per usual, people think the worst of others.

- Liliana on September 30th, 2009

The 18 month old I watch doesn’t watch tv and he knows who spongebob is. He has spongebob crocs and if he see’s him he’ll say, “spun-bodge!”

btw it’s not like Bronx has any clue what he’s watching. And I’m not a fan of Spongebob (just don’t like the content for smaller children) but I’m not about to say that 9 month old baby is actually getting anything from it even IF he is watching it!

- JMO on September 30th, 2009

My son, age 4, is obsessed with Ben10 and he has never even seen the show. Yet he knows the names of all the characters.
It could well be the same with Bronx, so please don’t be so quick to judge.

- Louise on September 30th, 2009

Who cares about him watching tv? Mind your business. As far as him saying “words” My 2 year old saw a speech therapist a few months ago for a speech delay. She explained that while 5 and 6 month olds say mama and dada, they aren’t considered real words because it’s just consonant-vowel repetition. They aren’t considered real words until it’s either mommy/daddy or mom/dad. My 9 month old said popsicle the other day, but did she actually mean popsicle?-absolutely not. ok so now bring out the perfect mothers who NEVER let their kids watch tv who insist that their 5 month old is reading the Iliad and the Odyssey.

- JessicaC on September 30th, 2009

Personally I think Spongebob is well written comedy and far better than a Baby Einstein DVD.

- freebreeze on September 30th, 2009

True, the article does not say that their child knows the character from watching DVDs or TV, though I can see how that would naturally be inferred.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, a ten-month-old, or any child under two, should not watch any television or video imagery of any sort. An interesting article by Abby Deliz for Suite101.com explains the dangers:
* Too much television for young viewers has been shown to affect brain development.
* It takes away precious time that babies can be interacting with their parents and their environment.
* Several links have been found between television watching and subsequent attention problems in children.
* Children under two rarely understand the content of a television program, and often confuse pretend with reality.
* Television watching can be addictive – the more they see, the more they want to see. Daily viewing can easily become a habit.
* Children who watch television in their early years have been shown to be at higher risk for obesity, poor social development, and aggressive behavior.
* When the television is on, even if a baby is not watching, it distracts him from allowing him to complete his own thoughts and problem-solve quietly.
* Even quality television aims to teach children things better learned by their own parents or caregivers.

- Raven on September 30th, 2009

if some of you want to let your babies watch tv so you can have some down time, go for it.
and if you want to feed them junk food, that’s your choice as well.
but don’t act like it’s harmless, because it’s not.

- fuzibuni on September 30th, 2009

Interesting statistics, Raven, but as long as television’s been around, there’s been both studies and arguments for and against it. Despite the number of these, how much and even if a child watches television is entirely up to his or her parent/parents.

Personally, at seven and two, my children rarely watch television. Both are extremely active and simply get more joy out of other activities. That said, there have been times in their lives when they’ve watched a program or they’ve been in the visinity of a television while it was on. Neither of the two are earth-shattering events. While I agree that there is no excuse for it being used as a babysitter, I don’t see the harm if used in moderation. As I’ve stated, just my opinion, but Pete and Ashlee seem to invest a great deal of time into raising their son so the last impression I receive from them is as parents who are looking for an easy way out.

- Liliana on September 30th, 2009

Boy these “Stepford Moms” I tell you!!!

- Melanie F. on September 30th, 2009

Ugh, I’m so sick of the television debate. I do agree that using it for a constant babysitter is wrong. My son watches Sesame Street every morning and he is 22 months old. I watch it with him while we eat breakfast. I used to watch Sesame Street everyday as a child too. I always did very well in school, was well behaved and never obese! I think there is way too much pressure on parents these days. If your child isn’t in the top daycare/preschool by the age of 2, then they are doomed and will end up living on the streets.
Most parents I know let their young children watch TV every now and then so they can fix dinner, throw in a load of laundry etc. I don’t really consider that “babysitting”, especially for the stay at home parent who never has a free moment to themselves. It’s easy to judge if you have someone else entertaining your child all day and no one at home to mess up the house etc.
Leave Ashley alone! I’m sure her son will have plenty of opportunities to succeed in life, even if he did watch SpongeBob!!:-)

- Tilly on September 30th, 2009

I’m sorry, but I think the anti-TV thing is stupid. I can understand if the TV is used as babysitter or if they are not getting enough active time and imagination time because all they do is watch TV, but if they are watching a handful of educational shows, what harm is there? I watched Sesame Street and Mr Rogers everyday when I was young. I have not suffered any damage from it. In fact, I’m about as thin and fit as you can be while still being healthy, and I have a genius level IQ. I just think some people are ridiculous about this issue. As long as it’s age appropriate and educational, it won’t hurt them.

- Summer on September 30th, 2009

my 3 year old doesn’t watch tv but knows all the characters too. sees other kids with clothing, toys, etc. this article in no way says he watches it but just as an interesting convo … personally think the show is meant for adults anyway. lots of inappropriate things – like most cartoons on cartoon network – that i have to assume kids don’t get anyway? but i digress…back to sidebar and interesting convo, had a debate with a fellow teacher yesterday about the word ‘stupid’ – she allowed and thought it was funny for kids in her 3 year old class to use the word because it is in most cartoons/kids movies. personally was never allowed and do not allow it in either my home or classroom (fifth grade) … ??

- brannon on September 30th, 2009

My daughter is 20 months. One of her first words was ‘sponge-bob’ too, although she had
never seen him on TV – she know him from just around the house because of her older brother and sister having pjs or stuffed animals or books with the character on it.

As for the TV issue. With my oldest I notice that anything with a screen (TV video games , computer) changes her. She becomes more aggressive and defiant. SHe does have attention issues to begin with and anything with a screen makes it worse. The other two kids don’t really seem to be affected by it. So I limit TV time because of the oldest.

- CC on September 30th, 2009

Post 20 by Raven:
* Too much television for young viewers has been shown to affect brain development.
* It takes away precious time that babies can be interacting with their parents and their environment.
* Several links have been found between television watching and subsequent attention problems in children.
* Children under two rarely understand the content of a television program, and often confuse pretend with reality.
* Television watching can be addictive – the more they see, the more they want to see. Daily viewing can easily become a habit.
* Children who watch television in their early years have been shown to be at higher risk for obesity, poor social development, and aggressive behavior.
* When the television is on, even if a baby is not watching, it distracts him from allowing him to complete his own thoughts and problem-solve quietly.
* Even quality television aims to teach children things better learned by their own parents or caregivers.

Sorry to disappoint, but I was a happy child who loved to watch Sesame Street when I was a child and I am a healthy, active and high achieving adult (if I do say so myself) with no social development or agressive behavior issues.

Like everything in life, TV should be in moderation. There is nothing wrong IMO with allowing a child to watch television occassionally and, for example, enjoy the rare sweet treat if they spend the rest of the time interacting with their parent(s) and eat a generally well balanced diet. At no point in the article did Ashlee say that all Bronx did was watch TV.

- MissCate on September 30th, 2009

ashlee and pete aren’t trying to impress us aging late-30s mommies – they are selling this story to the funky hip 20something kids that buy music… and that audience would think a 10 month old obsessed with spongebob is hysterical.

jen garner is marketing her story to us – “i’m just not into clothes/the broccoli + hummus for dinner/my kids lives are so normal” tales for example. so we think she is lovely.

it is all marketing people. spin.

- cait5 on October 1st, 2009

Seriously, why is there so much judgment on these posts? I thought that CBB was supposed to screen them, but I swear that every article now has a litany of negative comments! If it upsets you so much to read about what these celebrities are doing with their own children, don’t visit this site! Grrrr.

- Nicole on October 1st, 2009

Gah this website infuriates me sometimes…some people just take what they want to hear and run with it like she actually said he watches spongebob…no she didn’t…he carries around that Woody doll..does that mean that he’s seen Toy Story!? I doubt it! Ashlee seems like a wonderful mom so chill out people!

- Daisy on October 1st, 2009

Oh, come on! My 5 year old cousin is OBSESSED with Sponge Bob and has been ever since he started talking…! He has 3 older siblings, so Sponge Bob was on TV when he was a baby. He is now, a bright, intelligent, entergenic little boy…and guess what? He started READING books (with some help, of course) before his 5th birthday! And I’m sure this also has to do with his 3 older siblings.

The point is: just because a baby/child watches TV doesn’t mean they are going to grow up to be some lazy, uneducated person. I really wish people would stop being sooooooooooo goofy about things. Everything is fine in moderation, people. Including a 10 month old watching Sponge Bob.

- Lis on October 1st, 2009

The tv debate has got to end. I remember when I first had my son I was a nervous wreck thinking if he watched tv he was going to have learning delays and be obese etc… My son just turned 3 last month and has been watching noggin and pbs since he was a baby (not used as a babysitter) he just enjoys it and he speaks in 8-10 word sentences, is able to recognize his abc’s and number to 10, and is an all around bright kid. People cant believe me when I tell them how old he is, they are really amazed at how well he talks. I personally believe watching certain shows contributed to how well he speaks. Certain shows are a little too much and I dont allow him to watch channels that show commercials and I think he is doing just fine.

- Tasha on October 1st, 2009

Sorry folks, but the TV debate shouldn’t end simply because it’s tiresome to some of you; there are many parents out there who are interested in expanding their knowledge about early childhood development and welcome the influx of research, ideas, and arguments.

I personally don’t think TV is the devil. My 5-year-old can have an hour of screen time a day, but my 2-year-old gets none, and I will hold out with her as long as possible. Just my choice. And remember, we all get a choice here. In addition, I don’t believe anyone who is advocating TV watching be carefully moderated is saying that every single child that watches TV as an infant or toddler (and please recall that the article I cited was about children under two, not all children) will have ADD, have difficulties with problem-solving, be obese, aggressive, and a misanthrope. But don’t ignore the real scientific data that is out there. To quote an article that appeared in the AAP News, “parents’ rushed life-styles and societal changes are partially responsible [for negative outcomes that have been observed in today's schools], but a growing body of research on television viewing clearly supports its causation role, with different children’s tolerance thresholds varying widely.”

- Raven on October 1st, 2009

Sorry…”a 12mo shouldn’t be watching sponge bob, that’s sad”…that’s not lively debate, that is judgment. Just as Raven says that we all have a choice, so does Ashlee. Maybe it wouldn’t have been your choice, but it doesn’t matter.

- Nicole on October 1st, 2009

cait5 you hit teh nail ON THE HEAD!

- freebreeze on October 1st, 2009

Raven- How does your 2-year-old daughter get no screen time if her brother gets an hour? Do you rush her out of the room whenever her brother is watching TV? Not nitpicking, just something I’ve always been curious (how parents who let their old child/children watch TV keep their younger kids away from the screen) about!

- CelebBabyLover on October 2nd, 2009

Cait5 – as a 26 year old mom, I can relate 1000x more to Ashlee than Jen Garner. Jen doesn’t seem down to earth AT ALL to me. She seems like a rich, stuffy, yuppie mom. Ashlee is more normal to me. It all depends on your own situation, as you said.

- Summer on October 2nd, 2009

CelebBabyLover–My five-year-old gets his screen time when my two-year-old is napping; we pick him up from preschool right before noon and soon afterwards she goes down for about an hour and twenty minutes. Hopefully she’ll keep doing that for a while yet (she actually loves her nap, so I’m not worried that she’ll refuse anytime soon). Also, sometimes my son chooses his screen time to be on a Palm Pilot that’s loaded with episodes of shows he can watch (Bob the Builder, Martha Speaks, Thomas, Zaboomafoo) and he can take that device up to his room or use it with headphones.

- Raven on October 2nd, 2009

A) Too young for Sponge Bob..obviously a parental choice because the kids would know nothing about Sponge Bob unless a parent was watching it…nice!
B) At 10 months, the only thing my kids watched were baby Einstein DVD’s and Teletubbies and that was only for 30 minutes a day, sometimes 1 hour depending on what was on..and then we had music on all day while the kids played..

My kids are 5 and 3 now and still not allowed to watch Sponge Bob. My opinion is that it shows that name calling and disrespect is okay and always justifiable. No thank you!

- jk on October 2nd, 2009

jk- Like other posters have said, it’s possible that he knows about SpongeBob from the toys and other merchandise. Maybe Ashlee and Pete bought him a SpongeBob doll, for example. Or maybe he’s seen SpongeBob toys at friends or relatives’ houses.

Or it could be that he’s simply seen SpongeBob stuff in stores or other places. I mean, let’s face it. SpongeBob is EVERYWHERE these days!

- CelebBabyLover on October 3rd, 2009