10 Reasons Why Nannies Should Watch the Cartoon Network

Working as a nanny means spending the majority of your time surrounded by kid-centric activities, programming, meals and outings. And while watching more cartoons might not top your list of fun things to do in your spare time, it’s also a good way to stay involved and aware of what the kids are watching, especially on TV stations like Cartoon Network. Here are ten ways you can benefit from watching Cartoon Network:

1. For Monitoring Purposes – When busy parents leave you in charge of their children, there’s an inherent measure of trust present that you will do your best to shield those charges from inappropriate and questionable content. By keeping an eye on the Cartoon Network, which is likely a household favorite, you can get an idea of what programming is and is not appropriate for your charges to be watching.
2. Keeping Up With Kid Slang – Teenagers aren’t the only ones with their own languages; kid slang changes just as quickly and can be just as inscrutable to adults. However, keeping up with your charges’ favorite programs can give you an inside track on the sources of some of their new lingo.
3. Familiarizing Yourself With Favorite Characters – Every child has a favorite character; one that they emulate, collect their merchandise, and request as the theme for birthday parties. Having a good idea of who these characters are and what makes them so appealing to your charges can be a great way to get to know them on a personal level.
4. Bonding Time – Spending time with the children in your care, even during downtime, is a great way to ensure that the bond between you is strong and that they feel safe, loved and happy in your presence. Though it might not be the most exciting part of your day, spending cartoon time beside your charges rather than treating it as Nanny Break Time is one of the quickest ways to bond with them.
5. To Prepare For Experimentation – Most kids know better than to jump off of a cliff just because they saw Wile E. Coyote doing it, but that doesn’t mean they won’t get a wild hair to recreate the scene by taking a deliberate header from a marginally safer height. Seeing the same stunts that the kids do can give you some valuable insight into the things that they might be tempted to do later, which can go a long way towards helping you prevent it.
6. To Create Talking Points – Finding common ground for conversation with older kids can be a bit difficult; however, if you’re watching the same shows and sharing some of the same experiences, you might find that talking points present themselves naturally throughout the course of the day.
7. Reliving Your Own Childhood – Plenty of the Cartoon Network’s daytime programming line-up consists of old-school animation and reruns of vintage favorites. On days that you’re feeling particularly nostalgic, settling in with the kids to watch Looney Tunes might be just what the doctor ordered.
8. To Keep Track of Screen Time – For nannies that truly dislike cartoons, each and every second spent in front of the television is carefully accounted for and counted down. Forcing yourself to watch along with the kids can help ensure that TV time doesn’t go a bit longer than the rules allow simply because you were otherwise engaged and lost track of time.
9. Choosing Programming in Advance – Having a basic idea of the shows that come on during the daytime lineup can help you make TV time schedules in advance that include programming you feel that your employers and your charges will be equally happy with.
10. Adult Swim! – When the kids have gone to bed and you’re safe in your quarters, unwinding with some adults-only animated comedy might be just what you need to prepare for the next busy day ahead.

There are tons of reasons why nannies and parents alike should familiarize themselves with the television programming that kids are watching; these are just a few of them. Staying abreast of changes in scheduling and content is one of the best ways to ensure that little ones aren’t being bombarded with images and concepts that are inappropriate for their age and comprehension level.

Taken From National Nannies