When I was a kid, I could turn on the TV all by myself. All I had to do was pull the button and turn the channel knob. I’m pretty sure I had this mastered by 3 years of age. At that age I didn’t have to decide what to watch, either there was 1 kid’s show on or there wasn’t.
Now there’s this huge universal remote control with hundreds of clicking options for finding something to watch. You can’t just hit the power button, you have to select TV and then the power button, then select the cable option, and then the power button again, and at our house you can also select the Apple TV, and then the power button a third time. My kids are going to be teenagers before they will be able to get up and watch TV on Saturday mornings while we parents sleep in!
When I was a kid, there were only so many hours of children’s programming. When the cartoons ended and the news, or Kinsmen Bingo, started, then it was time for us to turn off the TV and go outside to play. We didn’t fight over what to watch, because it was either the fishing show or Smurfs.
Now there’s Netflix. Hundred’s of kid’s shows. Always on. I’m not so sure that’s a good thing.
I agree-there’s too much! Every time my mom comes over we have to explain and sometimes even write down how to use the different remotes. At least they all turn the tv on.
I haven’t even told the story about the TV we had to turn on and off with the pliers yet!
My husband’s the cable guy and I can’t tell you how many times he’s had to explain the remote because it’s too damn complicated. People just want to turn it on and change the channel!
Our TV cannot be turned off without the remote, and it drives me crazy. I just hate it. It might have something to do with my sons tossing the remote under random cushions. Oh for the good old days when children were the “remotes.” Also, we gave up cable because the remote was a misery to use.