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Tuesday, August 8, 2006
Do we really need TV in grocery carts?
Are TV shows in a grocery cart brilliant or teaching our kids they don’t have to be patient?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Publix is testing out new TV Karts in Suwanee and Alpharetta. They look like the race car carts but in the car compartment is a little TV screen on which the kids can watch “Barney,� “The Wiggles,� or “Bob the Builder,� depending on which cart you choose. The show lasts for about 48 minutes. The special cart costs $1 to use, and Publix will get a cut of that money. (You can read the story in full.)
What do you think Moms: Is this a great idea or a terrible one?
I don’t want to sway anyone but I can’t help but give you my two cents. I personally think this is a terrible idea. Now, my kids were born 25 months apart so believe me I have had some terrible times at the grocery store. However, we watch more than enough TV at home that we don’t need to be watching it when we’re out places (like in our car, at the Y or the grocery store.)
Other issues with this: I think the grocery store can be a fantastic learning experience for children. I love talking about the different foods and cultures that eat different things. I love showing them fruits and vegetables, looking at the birthday cakes and talking to the bakers, seafood guy and sushi lady. (No wonder if takes me more than 48 minutes to shop.) Preschool teachers will tell you that grocery stores are great places for kids to learn about sorting, counting and classifying. It would be so sad if they missed those learning experiences because they are watching TV.
Plus, if this comes to a Publix near me, all I’m seeing is fights in the lobby because I don’t want them watching TV and I’m not going to pay $1 even if I did. We already have sadness if all the car carts are in use. I don’t want to add any more drama to the picking of the cart.
