Ranking children’s shows

Yesterday evening, I was amazed at the desperation the OddDaughter showed to watch an episode of her current favourite show: SuperKitties. There’s only one season and she’s watched every episode multiple times. Mrs OddFather wanted to keep screen time away from the OddDaughter for as long as possible – so there wasn’t much tv during the first two years. What difference did it make? Nothing. Like all kids, the OddDaughter turns into a zombie when there’s a screen around.

It has it’s uses. Sometimes when it’s a daddy-daughter day I need a break for a cup of tea – proper English, I am. So usually I get roped into watching television with the OddDaughter for a break. Or I use screen time as a tool to get the OddDaughter into the bath – a bit like a Tom & Jerry cartoon where I lure lure her using some sort of trap. It works, right?

Speaking of Tom & Jerry – do kids still watch that? The world is a very different place to when I was young. I imagine Tom & Jerry would be seen as too violent for kids. I watched a lot of Tom & Jerry and I turned out fine, right? How else would I have learnt how to use a hammer? And a drill? And a gun? I can’t imagine Mrs OddFather allowing our daughter to watch violence.

Anyway, I’ve decided to rank the programmes the OddDaughter has been obsessed with over the last couple of years. Most of these she no longer watches – it’s just SuperKitties now – but I had to sit there with her watching these at some point. It’s a part of my history now.

5. Peppa Pig

This is the one right? The one all kids watch at some point. And I hate it. A lot. Peppa is a bully with very few manners – being quite mean to her friends. I remember one episode she pressurises a kangaroo friend to jump for the amusement of others. I did not like that. And this is the role model for our kids? The dad can be funny – if not a little clumsy…

4. SuperKitties

Even mentioning the title of this has the theme tune running through my head. I’ll hear it at least once a day. I can’t take it anymore.

The episodes are like 25 minutes, which is a long time in my opinion. Especially if you’re just using screen time to get your kid to brush their teeth. And if you miss the automatic playing of the next episode that’s another 25 minutes you have to sit through. Well, we have to because the OddDaughter has to complete every episode that plays or will lose it. A bit too childish for me, this one.

3. Mira the Royal Detective

Like SuperKitties – these episodes are longer than I like. This also has an annoyingly catchy theme tune. You’d think Disney have found some sort of formula that works for them. As Indians, it’s nice there’s some characters that the OddDaughter can somewhat relate to.

2. Lion Guard

A little on the childish side. However, I love the Lion King so I can get on board with this as it expands the lore of the movie. Only problem is – spoiler alert – the characters grow up over 3 seasons which the OddDaughter dislikes so she doesn’t let me watch the last season to see out how it ends. That’s my Friday night sorted I guess.

1. Bluey

How can it be anything else? I LOVE Bluey. The messages behind the episodes are worthy, the episodes are short so you can fit one in fairly easily, adults can enjoy as well as kids, and the dad has the closest parenting style to me on tv. Only problem is the OddDaughter only wants to watch SuperKitties at the moment so I have to pretty much push this on her just so I can watch it. My favourite episode is “Sleepy time” – absolutely beautiful!

And there you have it. Honourable mentions should go to Peter Rabbit, Chip & Potato, Numberblocks and Coco Melon. But I don’t have the patience in going into those – this is already the longest post this year! You’re welcome! Have I missed any shows that are worth a mention?