Sesame Street Role Models

Well I'll be darned.  I'm starting to think Elmo is a pretty good role model.

Before you start checking me into the looney bin, let me explain!  As a parent of an almost-2-yr-old, we've been slowly letting more TV into Geli's life.  As a baby, it was mostly NFL and Sports Center, with an occasional hockey game thrown in for balance.  Once she became actually cognizant of the TV, and when I needed a distraction for her while I fed Max, we started venturing into Baby Einstein.  At first, this seemed like a boring, trippy, experience - how on earth are they making money off of low budget videos of toys and ordinary kids?  We quickly recognized it to be baby crack - which also has a nicely calming effect on us adults too.  Who knew?  This however is another story for another time.

After watching every Baby Einstein a million times, the next evolutionary TV step was Sesame Street.  I remember it from my childhood as colorful Muppets and friendly, goofy adults, sponsored each week by a letter (or two) and a number.  Now I haven't been living so deeply under rocks these past 15 years to be totally oblivious to Elmo.  I recall when the Tickle Me Elmo stampedes were in the news, and I figured this was an updated version of the Cabbage Patch Kids of my youth.  My take on Elmo was - very red - very annoying - and for some reason, very beloved by children everywhere.  For our own sanity however, we weren't inviting Elmo into our home unnecessarily.

This is where modern day Sesame Street comes into play.  As we're sitting on the sofa feeding Max, I put it on TV.  My conclusions are as follows:

1. The adults are still both friendly and goofy.  They sing a lot.  Their songs (and the earnestness with which they sing them) crack me up, which speaks to point #2.
2. The Sesame Street writers are HYSTERICAL.  They're writing for the kids, but they're slipping in some pretty funny zingers for us adults too.  LOVE IT.
3. Abby and her flying fairy school is uber annoying.  Not a fan, don't like it, don't get it.  Fast-forward.  Yay TiVo.
4. Elmo, dare I say it, is a fabulous role model.  I'm not talking about Elmo's World, but just his interactions on Sesame Street with the other Muppets and the friendly, goofy adults.  It took me a few episodes to come to this conclusion, but hear me out.  If you can get past his high pitched, annoying voice, he is unfailingly positive.  If he can't get what he wants immediately, he waits patiently.  If he can't get what he wants at all, he pretends.  He is friendly and kind to everyone he interacts with, with never a bad word to say about anyone.  He is curious, and he is willing to try new things.  He smiles, he laughs, and he loves.  How on earth can a child NOT fall in love with this red fur ball?  Kudos Elmo, You have another fan.

I guess we're never too old to open our minds to new ideas and new influences.  The more we can see the world through our children's eyes, the younger we stay.  Elmo - I'm watching you.  Don't let me down, and don't ever grow up!

Cheers and have a great week!  Happy Monday.