I had to take my oldest in for a CAT Scan today (long story short it wasn't his appendix) and while we were waiting I was watching the news that was on in the waiting room. A woman with a little girl about 2 yrs old walked in and just changed the channel to Sponge Bob! Now I probably wouldn't have had a problem (or as much of one since I don't let my youngest whose 4 watch SB) if she had simply ASKED if anybody was watching or if anybody minded if she changed the channel! I was doubfounded. They were with the grandmother & she must have seen the look of shock on my face b/c she made some comment to the younger woman. Apparently they were just trying to "occupy the baby" while they waited for grandpa. Is that an excuse to ignore that there was a room full of people that may have been watching that b4 you got there?! I don't know maybe it's me.

By Cybermommyx4 on Monday, June 27, 2005 - 09:19 pm:

I think it was rude of her not to say something first....though perhaps she didn't want her 2-year-old to be exposed to the news channel (a lot of people don't watch the news with small children around)...still, she should have said something to that effect...

By Melanie on Monday, June 27, 2005 - 09:44 pm:

Definitely rude. She should said something first, without a doubt.

By Bea on Monday, June 27, 2005 - 09:59 pm:

Totally rude...but I expect that behavior now, rather than the opposite. I would have changed it back. I'm just confrontational enough that I don't simply take it anymore.

By Missmudd on Monday, June 27, 2005 - 11:59 pm:

I dont know, was anybody actively watching the TV? I would give her the benifit of the doubt unless someone was obviously watching the TV. I personally would have asked if anybody minded me changing the channel, but I dont think it would have occured to me that someone wouldnt want to be watching sb, but I would have definetly changed to another kid program if anybody objected or not change the channel at all if somebody was watching something, unless like the above poster said it was about child molesters or shark attacks, then I would have said something. So I guess I would be slightly guilty of this. Boy what a rambling post

By Crystal915 on Tuesday, June 28, 2005 - 12:16 am:

It's quite rude. I've been the parent in a similar situation, and kindly asked the others if they would mind letting us put on cartoons.

By Emily7 on Tuesday, June 28, 2005 - 01:07 am:

I agree it was very rude! I can't imagine letting her watch Sponge Bob either, I really dislike that show (and the stupid theme song that is going through my head now).

By Karen~moderator on Tuesday, June 28, 2005 - 07:40 am:

Rude - you should ALWAYS ask before changing the station, IMO. I've had the same exact thing happen to me while waiting to have an MRI myself. Only it was an adult who walked over and changed from the news to a soap. *I* just happened to be watching the news, as well as several other people. Some people have no manners.

By Vicki on Tuesday, June 28, 2005 - 08:24 am:

I agree very rude! It is amazing to me how people in this world think the entire world needs to do things to satisfy their children. Like everyone needs to bend over backwards for them. You know what, you were watching a news program...if I would have come in with a young one and something was on the news that I didn't want her to see, I would have either taken her for a little walk in the hall or distracted her with books or something. But it is amazing to me how many would ask you to change the station so their kids didn't have to see it. I understand those of you that are saying you would ask people if they minded you changing the station, but really, do you think they are going to say no?? Why would a room full of adults (or even part full) want to watch cartoons??? Now, if there were plenty of other kids in the room maybe, but just because you have your kids they need to change the channel?? I would never even ask!

Please don't anyone take this personaly. I am not speaking of anyone in specific, just things I have noticed in general. And to be honest, I think I am the odd ball out because it happens all the time. In restaurants, waiting rooms etc. I would never ask for half the things I hear people ask for because I had dd with me. I guess I have always been the one to adapt her to that situation and not made others change things for us.

By Amecmom on Tuesday, June 28, 2005 - 08:46 am:

Ditto Bea. I would have not said a word, but just changed it back.
**If** they had not changed it to something as objectionable as SpongeBob, then I would have thought they just didn't want the baby to see the news - which is scary in its own right.
Ame

By Insaneusmcwife on Tuesday, June 28, 2005 - 12:34 pm:

I'm with Bea, I would have changed it back but thats just the way I am. I really hate it when my cousin's husband comes into my house and plays remote commando. I find it quite rude.

By Karefl on Tuesday, June 28, 2005 - 02:30 pm:

Like Ame I would have bought the theory about not wanting to expose the baby to the news *if* it wasn't Sponge Bob & *if* I hadn't heard mom& g-ma more than once tell the little girl to "just sit & watch your cartoons." I'm not even sure that they knew what she was watching, just that it was a cartoon. I guess that I should be glad that they didn't came acrossed South Park! LOL

By Frasersmama on Tuesday, June 28, 2005 - 02:50 pm:

Sorry, this is totally off the point, but what is objectionable about Sponge Bob?

By Frasersmama on Tuesday, June 28, 2005 - 02:51 pm:

Oh ya, and I think it was rude not to have asked if anyone was watching the news before changing the channel.

By Kernkate on Tuesday, June 28, 2005 - 03:05 pm:

I agree very rude.

By Crystal915 on Tuesday, June 28, 2005 - 03:15 pm:

I do let the kids watch Spongebob, I'm curious what's so horrible about it, too. Almost every cartoon I've seen for kids has some stuff that is a bit over their heads, little jokes in SB and the Fairly OddParents that make me raise my eyebrows a bit, but it all goes right over kids heads. I never even realized how inappropriate Scooby Doo was until I was in High School, so I trust my kids will be the same way.

By Amecmom on Tuesday, June 28, 2005 - 03:47 pm:

Sorry if I offended any SpongeBob fans. I just don't like SpongeBob - it really rubs me the wrong way. I only let my son watch really innocuous stuff - won't let him near anything other than Playhouse Disney, Noggin and PBS (even some of the shows on these channels I don't like. The most "advanced" cartoon I'll let him watch is Scooby-Doo - and even that I'm not happy with, but he saw it once accidentally and loved it so I'm stuck.
LOL Karrie! I'm sure the child is exposed to worse in real life than she might see on South Park!
Which by the way I love (but would never let my son see) - just so you all don't think I'm some kind of cartoon snob .

By Mommmie on Tuesday, June 28, 2005 - 05:08 pm:

I've been in a few waiting rooms where someone changed the channel on the TV. Most recently a lady switched from the noon news to a soap opera. I would have rather watched the news, but hey, it's not that big a deal. If someone cares enough about what TV show they are watching in a waiting room to actually get up and change the channel, then more power to them. I can read or look at the window. You are not going to be able to please everyone. Someone is going to be happy and someone isn't.

By Frasersmama on Tuesday, June 28, 2005 - 05:49 pm:

Amecmom, Lord help me if I am that easily offended
I just have never really watched Sponge Bob so I didn't know what was "objectionable" about it. I have heard that some folks have their knickers in a twist because they think he is gay (insert eye roll here), so I just was wondering what was up. I guess I'll have to tune in.

By Nanaoie on Tuesday, June 28, 2005 - 05:54 pm:

A 2 yr old watching spongebob?Now Barney I can see..........Yes, I think it was very rude!

By Mommmie on Tuesday, June 28, 2005 - 09:17 pm:

A 2-year-old is not going to be negatively affected by seeing a few minutes of Spongebob. Do you remember what you saw on a TV in a waiting room when you were 2 years old? Do you remember being 2?

By Imamommyx4 on Tuesday, June 28, 2005 - 09:32 pm:

I don't care what show she turned it to. Changing channels without looking around to see if anybody else was watching and/or asking was self-centered and self-serving.

By Dawnk777 on Tuesday, June 28, 2005 - 09:37 pm:

DH and I were subjected to the beeps and bleeps of watching Jerry Springer in a radiology waiting room, once when FIL needed a test. Ugh. Eventually all the people left and I changed it to something a lot less offensive! I just wasn't in the mood for all the tension present on JS! Ugh. I guess it didn't occur to me to ask if we could change the channel before that.

No opinions on SB. We have cheap cable and don't get Nick. Kids watched it once or twice at my parent's house, but I wasn't paying attention.

I think it was rude to have changed the channel without asking, though!

By Mommmie on Tuesday, June 28, 2005 - 11:02 pm:

Well, I think the person who was going to get to watch what they wanted to watch was the person who was willing to be the most assertive about it. And she won, unless someone challenged her and she backed off. Is there some kind of waiting room/TV channel etiquette that says the person who's been waiting the longest gets dibbs on the TV? I guess this is why some waiting rooms have a sign saying the TV channel is not to be changed. That's a solution! The staff probably just enjoys sitting back and watching waiting room people duke it out for the remote control.

By Emily7 on Wednesday, June 29, 2005 - 12:30 am:

I don't like SB because I find some of his behavior rude.

As far as changing the TV, I don't allow my kids or anyone else in the house walk into a room & just change the channel because someone wasn't looking directly at it. The fact is common courtesy should have been used & it would have taken a second to ask if they could change the channel. I think that one of the biggest problems with this world is that people have forgotten how to be polite & use their manners.

By Happynerdmom on Wednesday, June 29, 2005 - 09:46 am:

Well, when your kids are 12 and 15, and want to watch cop shows and MTV, Spongebob looks pretty darn good!! It's a show we can enjoy together.

Wanting to change the channel was fine, it was not asking that was rude.

By Christylee on Wednesday, June 29, 2005 - 04:21 pm:

I think it was rude of her not to ask...

I don't like spongebob and don't allow Brendan to watch it at all. He knows what/who it is but that is because of school. I just think there are so many other shows out there that are much more appropriate.

Heck, I don't even like Shrek. lol.....

By Kaye on Wednesday, June 29, 2005 - 06:34 pm:

What i don't like about spongebob is the he calls people stupid all the time, I just hate that word. but I do let my kids watch because it has dawned on me that no matter how much I protect them if I don't teach them not to imitate what they see, then then never learn. Now this doesn't mean I shoud llet them watch people use drugs, say cuss words, etc, but it is VERY hard to monitor all television with behaviors that I don't find appropriate. When my dd was little her fav pbs show was molly and the big comfy couch, oh how I hated this, she would turn upside down on the couch, stuff toys in it, etc...it was a real pain for me. Every show, every channel can have content that someone isn't happy with.

By Heckelmom on Wednesday, June 29, 2005 - 09:44 pm:

Glad to see there are plenty of moms that DO watch what their kids are taking in.