Just caught this message Charliecat. unfortunately the i player doesn't work for abroad yet - they are supposed to be developing an abroad version so am looking forward to that. ALthough would then have to work out how to transfer from the pc to the tv!

can you view the bbc i player from dubia?
My dds are 10 and 7 and dont watch telly, unless its top gear and have no clue to fashion or pop stars or anything. They get by

Minster - My dd (2) also loves Star Wars - in fact one of her first sentences (although i am ashamed to admit it really ) was "me watch star wars".

I do have to admit to buying the occasional gossip magazine so i do know some gossip......but there are indeed more interesting things to talk about!

I do enjoy his innocence

He sounds much like my dd (she's mad about Star Wars too ) - we don't have broadcast TV & she doesn't have any social problems (most of her friends don't watch any/much TV either).

My TV watching friends do rib me slightly that I have no idea of which footballer is shagging what model or who's won the latest 'talent' show but we usually find something more interesting to talk about!

I'd consider it a blessing.

Thanks ChipButty - i did think it sounded like he had plenty of stuff going on after i'd typed it! Star Wars is big in this house particulary with the play station game now.

Iheartdusty - think you are right if we were still living where we were in uk and he was going to the school we had intended to send him too then i imagine (hope) he would be doing similiar stuff.
Just think he is missing out on CBBC now he is a bit older and would enjoy the programmes on there - oarticulalry the more information science stuff whish i think he would enjoy.

I think it depends what part of the UK you return to.
in some areas, TV culture seems to be the be-all and end-all; in others, a more diverse set of interests seem to fit in OK.

plenty of UK families don't have TV, but it is admittedly unusual.

I would have thought that playstation & Star Wars, and similar things as he gets older, would be setting him up just fine for shared points of reference in the future.

He sounds like a very well-rounded little boy to me. I really wouldn't worry. My 6 year old DS is a Star Wars obsessive! x

Having an internal debate about this issue. We live in Dubai and ds, my oldest, is i think not subject to so may outsider influences as he would be at home. Due to having no live tv at home ( a choice as the tv here is so bad) he watches only dvds and enjoys many different things from Star Wars to the Fimbles watching with his sister and we have a playstation 3 so he plays star wars and cars on that. He goes to a good primary school and loves reading. Currently into being read Biggles novels as his grandad bought him some and reading lots himself. He plays football, rugby and tennis (none of them very well)

Just wonder if with less outside influences e.g no idea about football or fashion or even Blue Peter, he is not going to be streetwise when older or when/if we return to uk??