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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ban DS from watching a show he enjoys?

91 replies

NotExactlyHappyToHelp · 25/04/2018 09:00

DS is going through a phase of watching iCarly and Sam & Cat (sp?) at the moment and I cannot bear it.

They are the worst shows I’ve ever had the displeasure to watch. Utterly selfish, awful behaviour. They talk to each other like shit. There is nothing of any value to them.

However that’s my opinion it’s not fact. I’m struggling to make the decision on whether I should just outlaw them even though they’re technically age appropriate.

It feels a little like imposing my personal taste on DS. So AIBU to ban it or am I overthinking the whole thing?

OP posts:
JessicaJonesJacket · 26/04/2018 00:12

Sam & Cat makes Victorious look like Shakespeare. But I let DS watch both. I even watched some episodes with him so we could both moan about how awful Sam is and how real friends aren't sneaky and competitive. Grin

TeeniefaeTroon · 26/04/2018 01:09

I feel your pain! My DD used to watch them about 6 years ago and it drove me round the bend! Thankfully she grew out of it. It's a pity DS (5) has found them on Now TV and watches them all the time 😭

DragonsAndCakes · 26/04/2018 07:37

Oh and mine also like Officially amazing on CBBC. I second Operation Ouch.

WeirdAndPissedOff · 26/04/2018 08:05

I always hated that show as well, when my preteen Dsisters used to watch it.
We've never had shows banned in this house unless completely inappropriate, regardless of like or dislike.
There are lots of kids and teens shows I hate (most of the teen Disney ones, through to In The Night Garden) but they're not made for me. And I've always rolled my eyes a little at those wanting to ban eg Tom and Jerry for violence, or The Simpsons for Bart's behaviour.

If I hadn't seen this particular show I'd have responded the same as pps. (Though I didnt know of the rumours/allegations about the creator!) And FWIW I still think banning it is probably overkill - although I would have been much happier had they chosen not to watch it.

But these characters aren't just rebellious or cheeky or trying their luck - they are awful people.
Controlling, spiteful, sneaky, and no consideration ever of anyone else's feelings or property, and one of them in particular is quite a bully - and all portrayed as being edgy and cool.

Most of it's harmless enough, but there were a couple of episodes where they behaved awfully, having quite serious consequences for other people, and it's just treated as a laugh.

StylishMummy · 26/04/2018 08:18

We've banned peppa pig for similar reasons. I detest the way the children speak to each other and the parents/grandparents

Nanny0gg · 26/04/2018 09:37

Don’t be so obtuse. I’m talking about an age appropriate television show not his entire sodding life.

Not obtuse in the slightest. Parents do impose their views, ideas, opinions and rules on children to whatever degree.

And just because a programme is age-appropriate it doesn't make it suitable or desirable to watch. You can discuss why that's your opinion and you can ban it if you want to.

You asked a question on a public forum and that's my answer. Don't quite see the need for the rudeness, but there you go.

PerfectlySymmetricalButtocks · 26/04/2018 09:51

I ban the DC from the Simpsons because of the language. There's an episode where Homer says, "wankers". Hmm DD would be fine, DS2 would be calling all his friends wankers, which at 6 is not great.

Mercedes519 · 26/04/2018 11:42

I'm with a PP with a stealth ban on Peppa Pig just because.

The only programme I've ever banned is Horrid Henry. Their behaviour genuinely improved when they weren't watching it. It didn't even have any discrete message about being nice - it taught them rudeness would get your own way.

JassyRadlett · 26/04/2018 11:49

He used to watch a lovely wee show on Netflix called Little Lunch. Aussie show about kids on their lunch break.

I have to find this! I asked (English) DS1 what he ate at little lunch the other day. He looked at me like I’d lost my mind.

Little lunch is the same as morning break. Big lunch is lunchtime. Grin

YoloSwaggins · 26/04/2018 12:04

The best show of my childhood was BASIL BRUSH!!

I remember my parents almost banned Tracy Beaker because they thought it was making me rude and obnoxious....

m0therofdragons · 26/04/2018 12:09

Sam and Cat is terrible but dc love it and it does sometimes make me laugh. I think TV like this is a bit mind numbing and sometimes that's what we need - the reason people watch soaps.

I did manage to move mine on to the mermaid one H20 thingy. I quite liked that one.

Sidge · 26/04/2018 12:21

Oh god my DD (now 11.5) used to love Sam and Cat, and Victorious.She also liked The Thundermans, Ricky, Dicky, Nicky and Dawn and similar, but they seemed less awful.

I didn't ban her from watching it but made it quite clear that I didn't like the way the characters spoke to each other and acted like brats half the time. We did have some interesting conversations about the way the characters acted and how one's behaviour can affect others, etc. I told her if she started speaking or acting like that it would be off. She also developed some rather bizarre Americanisms in her speech!

She seems to have grown out of it and now prefers Horrible Histories, Deadly 60 etc.

LittleLionMansMummy · 26/04/2018 12:32

We had to limit Power Rangers in our house. We didn't ban it altogether though. It got ds really hyped up and aggressive. Hated it with a passion.

ISaySteadyOn · 26/04/2018 12:43

H2O Just Add Water? I love that one. It was exactly the sort of show I wished I had to watch when I was about 10.

m0therofdragons · 26/04/2018 12:56

@ISaySteadyOn it's like a younger home and away but with mermaids.

What's Victorious like? Dd mentioned wanting to watch that but I said not until I've checked and she's not asked again.

Smeddum · 26/04/2018 12:59

Sam and Cat is really fucking annoying. Especially the squeaky one. Ditto iCarly.

Original poster
NotExactlyHappyToHelp · 26/04/2018 13:16

WeirdAndPissedOff Thank you. You articulated exactly why I have such a problem with these particular shows much better than I could have.

JassyRadlett It’s a lovely show. I found it so interesting making comparisons between Aus and over here. The names are fabulously Aussie too.

Nanny0gg I apologise I was tired and perhaps read your comment a little differently than it was meant. I wanted a wide range of opinions and I got them. That’s what makes MN such a valuable resource and sounding board.

OP posts:
DavetheCat2001 · 26/04/2018 16:29

I clearly recall being banned from watching The Young One's when I was about 10/11.

It used to really grip my shit as my older brother would lock himself in the front room to watch it, and all the 'cool kids' at school seemed to be allowed to watch it too!

HintUp · 27/04/2018 08:44

I would ban it.

ConciseandNice · 27/04/2018 08:54

They’re pretty innocuous in comparison to many things and my 6 year old has seen them all. My older now adult sons were addicted to ICarly (the worst by far) and they turned out ok. There is a way of policing without being ridiculous and banning these shows is ridiculous imo. That said in less than a handful of years you’ll have no say whatsoever in anything so enjoy the power trips while you can.

Katyb1310 · 27/04/2018 09:21

My DD loves them - and Victorious - and I cant stand them but don't feel I can stop her from watching them. I do sometimes say she has to turn them down because I can't handle Cat's voice - it makes me want to put my foot through the TV! Even worse when I have PMT!!

sweeneytoddsrazor · 27/04/2018 09:51

My kids used to love them, also loved Zac and Cody, Hannah Montana and the Wizards of Waverley place. I didn't like any of them apart from Wizards, but feel quite smug as I told my kids Cat had a far better voice than Tori, and that seems to have been proven. Oh and they also liked Big Time Rush and The jonas Brothers

SaucyJack · 27/04/2018 10:28

I don't really see that you've got any reasonable grounds to ban it TBH.

It's a comedy. I don't think Sam or Goomer were ever supposed to be role models. Kids are stupid, but not stupid enough to take completely OTT tv characters seriously.

Victorious is better all round tho. Plus, Beck is gorgeous.

TheKimJongUnofFeminism · 27/04/2018 10:48

"I don't really see that you've got any reasonable grounds to ban it TBH. "

He's 8. She doesn't think it's suitable. Of course she has.

walktheplank · 27/04/2018 11:28

@DavetheCat2001 - I was also banned from watching the Young Ones, but at the age of 8. I was happily playing a computer game when some goblin popped out unexpectedly, scaring me, so I shouted 'bastard!' at it. Unfortunately my mum heard me and was quite shocked! She banned my older brother from watching it too though (not really fair as he hadn't done anything wrong!).

I usually find that if I tell my eldest I don't like something then he'll immediately like it much more, so I try not to say anything. He likes Operation Ouch at the moment though, so that's fine (apart from the maggot episode...). My youngest now likes Scooby Doo and the Powerpuff Girls, so I'm very happy with that and often end up watching them with him!