Because Ashley is often watching a cartoon that has been recorded on the DVR, it is usually possible to get rid of the commercials. But I have to admit I often have mixed feelings when she makes this request.
On the one hand, I'm not eager for her to be exposed to rampant commercialism. And I've seen far too often how a commercial can instantly create a desire for some toy that she didn't even know existed 30 seconds before.
At the same time, I can't help but think that her desire to fast forward through the commercials is a symptom of a world where we all want what we want NOW, and even a couple of minutes of delayed gratifiction seems an impossible wait.
While patience isn't always something I'm great at, I think it's important. I want my daughter to learn that some things are worth waiting for. (And, okay, perhaps Scooby Doo isn't the greatest example -- but we've got to start somewhere.)
Most importantly, I want my always-on-the-go daughter to learn that it's okay to slow down and take things as they come without always looking ahead for the next great thing.
I do fast forward through the commercials for her most of the time (that dislike of commercialism often wins out), but every now and then, I tell her to just wait until her show comes back on.
I figure it's a start in teaching patience and delayed gratification. I'm not sure she agrees, but she's learning to tolerate it.
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