Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Surrendering to Spongebob


I used to not allow my kids to watch Spongebob Squarepants on tv. To be honest, I had never actually seen an episode, nor had I ever heard it was bad. Frankly, I just thought the character was ugly and obnoxious and I outlawed it.

Maybe it was the fact that I said it was forbidden, but somehow, someway, the kids started watching little bits of it, then whole episodes and now it is ALL they watch. They are obsessed.

Now the confession: I stated watching it a little here and there and I think it is pretty funny. There, I said it.

Now the scary part: We were at Target yesterday and Sammie talked me into a Spongebob soap dispenser for their bathroom. I bought it and instantly the bathroom went from cute to completely ghetto.

They also eat on Spongebob plates, color in Spongebob coloring books and pick Spongebob stickers at the doctor's office.

Here is where the whole thing comes back to bite me: Sammie has a birthday coming up in a couple months. We were at Harmon's today and my kids started flipping through the cake book. My darling 3 year old who loves everything girly and pink declared she wants a Spongebob birthday party. I flat out refused and she went nuts. Now I have the next two months to somehow finesse this. I can't have it. I feel like I've created this monster. What do I do?

20 comments:

Terra said...

Maybe you could spring for "Sponge Bob Extreme Makeover" turn him into a drag wearing Diva in honor of her 3rd! HA HA. I too outlawed SB from my home, I haven't had to cave yet...but I have 2 girls one who doesn't really watch tv and the other who has not heard of him yet. But last year at school they did a sponge bob spoof in the winter program and that about threw me over the edge...YUCK!

GOOD LUCK!

Natalie said...

we're spongebob fans, too, but i draw the line at spongebob birthdays. hopefully you can change her mind!

Mandee said...

Ha! I say do it! And go all out!

Ashley said...

I'm with Mandee. Why not? But knowing your kids she will change her mind right after you've driven all over town to buy all the stuff. Maybe that's your solution . . . just keep your receipts.

Reximus said...

Brooke, your posts have gotten better--this is my kind of thought provoking topic. Do you realize Ashley is blogging about food storage, next she'll be blogging about how many cup holders her Voyager has. I just got Kate onto Spongebob, pretty good cartoon. It's akin to the old Ren and Stempy cartoon. If your kids have to watch a cartoon it mind as well be one you enjoy. Let Sammie do the Spongebob, you are a Spongebob mom.

Pandy said...

I say Spongebob is a nice diversion. Since it's Sammie's birthday, it should be her choice. Compromising on the small stuff gives you more power for the important stuff. Ashley's right....she'll probably change her mind several times...so don't rush out to complete your SB collection just yet.

Now Telletubbies......that's a whole different ballgame. They're creepy!!!

sheryl said...

don't know much about spongebob or what he teaches so... if he is moral, and teaches good principles...

why not go for it? Who is the party for...you or her? She will appreciate a princess party more at age 5 and you cant do it both times.

But...I am anti birthday.
My poor kids had so few parties. Back east people only had a couple kids so whole families were invited to the parties, and they were over the top. I think for Dans 12th bday he got over $200 plus tons of gifts. Sounds great? Now I have to reciprocate! Gifts were big and expensive. I had way to many kids to do that very often.

Ashley said...

Nice Rex. Nice.

For the record, I have about 20 female commenters waiting with baited breath for my food storage post. Rex can eat it.

Tyler said...

Ren and Stimpy. Now that's a cartoon I wouldn't mind my kids growing up on.

The Mostess said...

Make friends with the little sea sponge....that's what you do!

SBSP is actually quite funny!

The Mostess said...

I back Ashley up. We're **rabid** for her food storage information.

Terra said...

Back and sticking up for Ashley. Food storage may be a bit mundane but it can also be very important...that said - Spongebob Bdays for a 3 year old provides a giggle factor, the lighter side of things the food storage brings us back to reality.
Sisters helping strangers on both sides of the coin

Sam said...

I know Sammie and her mother (from whence she came). Sammie will not tolerate anything other than what she wants. You may be able to temporarily distract her, but she will come back to Spongbob. Embrace it. The alternative (i.e., Sammie going ballistic) is not worth it.

And, Rex, you are correct. Food storage might be the single most boring subject in the universe.

Kelly said...

Never seen the show but kids love it. There must be something to it. There are 2 answers here. 1 is to let Sammie have the type of party she wants, whatever ridiculous theme it may be and 2 is to outlaw and deal with the fight. Choose your battles. Of course this is easy for me to say, I would probably raise hell if Bailey wanted a party theme of someone or something I despise. So I can't follow my own advice. Good Luck!

Amy M. said...

I too used to not allow Spongebob. Now the kids totally watch it. I don't know what to tell you on the birthday. Part of me says ew, no way, she must do something cute and girly. The other part of me says let her choose, it's her birthday.

Amy said...

I hate to tell you, but Spongebob is here to stay. All 3 of my kids still watch it religously, and Kennedy quotes it all the time! It really is pretty funny. As for the birthday, I couldn't do it. I think that's a battle I would have to win. Good luck with that!

Anonymous said...

I don't know when her birthday is so maybe I posted this late, but let the flow go! She'll evenually get tired of it and turn a new leaf!:)

Anonymous said...

Why don't you do something real with your life instead of spending your time worrying about if you like your kid's birthday cake. Is the party for them or for you?

Anonymous said...

At least it isn't Dora.

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