Are you familiar with the show Little Bill on Nick Jr.? Little Bill is a b-r-a-t and gets on my nerves. Period. End of story.
I just watched an episode where Little Bill refused to take a nap and then tried to run away from home over it. Really? Run away from home over a nap? First, doesn’t Little Bill seem a little too old to take a nap? Second, if he’s familiar with the concept of running away from home then isn’t he definitely too old for a nap?
I didn’t entertain the concept of running away from home until junior high school when my mother wouldn’t buy me the Jordache Jeans with the bows and zippers in the back.
Here’s what Nick Jr. says about the show: Little Bill is based on Bill Cosby’s book series and is developed through research and in consultation with a panel of educational consultants. The show is designed to help kids celebrate their everyday experiences and the people who share them. Little Bill shows kids that what they do makes a difference in the world. By dealing with conflicts encountered in everyday life, the program encourages children to value the love of their family, to increase self-esteem, and to develop social skills.
Here’s my beef with Little Bill: Typically, each episode goes something like this…
1. Little Bill does something bad or bratty.
2. Someone intervenes (or not if they want him to experience the consequence of his action).
3. The lesson is unveiled.
In my opinion, children watching the show are too young to understand the sequencing of the plot and perhaps are not seeing the “lesson” but are only retaining that Little Bill doesn’t listen or wants to run away or hits his sister. It makes me wonder if the writers for Little Bill have children. And don’t even get me started on Max & Ruby… Am I in a focus group of one, Smarties, or does Little Bill drive you batty?
11 comments
yes….always amazed at the behavior if some of the kids shows. max and ruby was awful/banned right away. all that baby talk and bickering. yikes!
Agreed! Little Bill is bratty-bo-batty!
I can’t believe this is blog-worthy. Sorry.
Amen, sister.
Amber!? Kim!? Is that you two??
I agree. He is right up there with Caillou
Caillou is way worse than Little Bill. Atleast Little Bill has jazz. Caillou was banned in my home because he is super whiny.
lol!! AND!! Ms. LORI!?!? Oh me OH MY!!! This world IS so small—- ahh! Love it!!! 🙂
Wow, they are just kids shows which kids happen to enjoy. They played at my house from when they first came out until now and my kids turned out great! (they range from 19 to a special needs 10) Lighten up, next thing you know you will say don’t watch Dora because in real life monkeys can’t talk or stay away from Spongebob or your kids will turn out like Patrick! Life’s too short not to laugh a little!
totally agree .. lets teach the kids to be bad and then teach them why not to… this was an awful episode just saw it 9/22/12… my son was saying “no nap, no nap” thinking it was cute because lil’ bill did it ….havent seen others but dont think we will play this show in our home
My mother just sent me a sweet message about this episode after watching it this am with my little brother. I loved her thoughts and it reminded me of when I watched this episode years back with a younger cousin. I was curious to hear what others had to say and landed here. I think most of you missed the message. The point is that he is loved and would be missed if he ran away, thus it’s clear that he is a valuable family member. “Running away” is a concept young children are familiar with (though you recall it for yourself at an older age). Children don’t however understand the detailed implications (which you did-yet still entertained the idea for jeans aka bratty behavior as a young adult). And I’m sure you didn’t grow up watching little Bill. Parents, it’s our job to raise our children, if you are worried that your children will develop bad behavior because of a tv show, I challenge you to dig deep and realize your faults in parenting, not a child tv show. If your children are truly as young as you all implicated, they wouldn’t understand your reasoning for not liking the show anyway and if they are old enough to understand your point(s) they are old enough to understand the bratty behavior isn’t ok and although they aren’t happy with a choice made in your family, you are still loved and your family wouldn’t want to lose you. Parents, take responsibility and let children be. Talk to them after each episode that you may not agree with and explain what you would expect of them (for any show) that’s active parenting!