Monday, November 9, 2009

Maddeningly Unhelpful Advice-Teaching Independence




One of my son's favorite television shows is Max and Ruby. Perhaps you have heard of it. It's based on a book series about a rambunctious three year old bunny and his older sister--the ever responsible seven year old who is trying to keep him out of trouble. On a side note: I believe Max is my son's personal mentor on new ways to get into trouble. Anyway, I've noticed before that there are no parents in this cartoon. Occasionally the grandma comes to visit and sometimes the "bunny scout leader" is around. I thought at first that the parents were in the background. Like in the other room or something while the kids played (like the non-speaking parents in Charlie Brown). But the other day, when Ruby, you know, the responsible SEVEN year old was putting Max to bed and he kept getting up, I realized the parents are never around.

Are they working all the time? Did they go to Mr. McGregor's to bring back some dinner and never came home? Are they busy with their hundred other children? Where are the parents?

Maybe it's different in bunny families. Maybe children are independent at the age of seven. I realized this was a great teaching moment for my children. "Wow, look at that seven year old. She puts her little brother to bed, makes dinner, plays with him, and keeps the house clean." I think my subtle messages are working. By the end of the year my children will be ready to move out and get a job (or at the very least pick up after themselves).

17 comments:

  1. Benjamin loves Max and Ruby too. I had no idea that my job as a parent would end when my oldest child turned seven. Why didn't you clue me into this earlier? I'm so excited to realize how easy my life with be in just two years!

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  2. My Ben is a big fan of Max & Ruby too. Hey, it's a funny show! I noticed a while ago that there aren't any parents either...hmm. Now I'm picturing some morbid bunny parent death.

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  3. You know how YA is always trying to ditch the parents, maybe we can use Max and Ruby as an example and just forget they exist.

    For some reason Ruby reminds me of my older sister.

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  4. My kids LOVED Max and Ruby back in the day. So cute! Now they're too old, and it's Jonas and Suite Life. There aren't really any parents around much in those either.

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  5. lol, my kids love Max and Ruby too! Maybe so many kids love it BECAUSE there are no parents, and it feeds their dreams of a world with no adult supervision.

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  6. I haven't heard of Max & Ruby, but they look much better than Sponge Bob. (Cuter too!)

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  7. My daughter loves Max and Ruby. I adore Max he is always trying to escape Ruby's antics.

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  8. It's best not to think too hard about children's cartoons. For instance, what parent would let their 7-yr-old traipse around with no supervision but a monkey and a talking map? Sometimes I wonder about those shows...

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  9. You know, whenever I've seen that show I want to smack Ruby because she always knows the exact right thing to say to Max...and she's seven. Yes, that show destroys my mom-esteem.

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  10. Darcy hasn't discovered this show! That's weird about the parents. You know you'd miss your kids if you didn't tuck them in every night. ;)

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  11. Each and every child of mine has LOVED Max and Ruby. As do I. It is the only show I can watch over and over again and not get tired of. I think independence, or at least self-righteous bossy, know-it-all-ness, at seven is an indicator of excellent character, Worked for me. ;)

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  12. I think we should call Bunny Protective Services and report those slacking parents.

    I love Max and Ruby. If I wake up first, I get to watch it; if my daughter wakes up first, it's Spongebob (which I like, too; it's a win-win for me).

    My favorite episode is when Max wraps up his own toy to give to Ruby on her b-day. I so did that as a kid.

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  13. I saw the exact same episode when I realized Ruby was in charge. Nice.

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  14. Rosemary Wells is an idol of mine. I aspire to her brilliance and poetic ability to draw and relate to children, all with humor & sass!

    My kids are 2, 6 (twins) and 8. My husband and I are slowly learning to try and instill in them a sense of responsibility. It takes time and patience. On all sides.

    Great teaching moment!!

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  15. This sounds crazy, but a few years ago, we had to ban Max and Ruby for a time. You know that sly look Max gets before doing one of his tricky things? Well, my son started doing the same, right before he pulled something on his brother.

    Max face. Watch for it.

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  16. Caroline, I will keep an eye out for that. LOL I'm telling you, my Max is my son's hero. I might have to think about my own ban. :)

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  17. I love how you threw Mr. McGregor in there as well.

    Yes I would love a responsible 7 year old, but then I would be sad when they didn't get to be a kid anymore.

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