If I Hear Dora One More Time ...

Every parent of young children can relate. How many of you have gone through your day humming the tune to Dora? How about having the Sesame Street theme song in your head through work? Isn’t it lovely?

I am living out what I hope to be my final years of these television shows. I can’t wait until my kids want to curl up at night and watch “American Idol” or can sit through the full hour of “Amazing Race” with me. Sure, these shows are far less educational and far trashier, but I can’t tell you a time I had their opening numbers stuck in my brain for hours and hours.

Let’s face it, how educational are these shows, anyhow? I mean, besides learning that foxes clearly can’t be trusted, I’m not sure what they get out of it.
Somehow those children’s television programs just stick like glue, though. I suppose that is the purpose, but seriously, how many times do we need to hear that he’s the Map? We got it. Does he have to repeat it 15 times?

“I’m the Map, I’m the Map, I’m the Map, I’m the Map, Iiiiii’mmmmm the Maaaaaap!” Hooray.

While fellow parents can easily feel my pain, I find myself humming strange music while I pump gas, while I checkout at the grocery store, waiting in line at the bank. It is surely making me look like a crazy person.

How can parents suffer through these shows their children love, and still stay sane? For one, I try not to watch with them. That sounds horrible, right, but I can’t tell you the last time I just sat down and watched TV. I always have a laptop on my lap or an iPhone in hand, to clear out my inbox, read up on stories or check my Facebook.

I secretly hope by not paying attention to the screen, I am not absorbing the tunes, but it doesn’t seem to be working.

I think those lucky 20 and 30-somethings that have never suffered through the shows likely have no idea what is wrong with me. They see a grown woman singing about a Backpack, and their minds must be boggled.

I’m not sure the next few years of television look much more hopeful. My son is far more out of Nick Jr. television, but has transitioned into wonderful shows like “Power Rangers” and “Young Justice.” I hold out some hope for his taste, since he does like to sit and watch “MythBusters” with me anytime it is on. We can tune into a marathon of episodes for hours.

It is a sign. I means, maybe, just maybe, we will soon be out of these channels all together. I’m not sure my daughters sudden love for “iCarly” and “Wizards of Waverly Place” sound any more tempting, but here’s hoping.

Until then, what’s my suggestion? A lot of happy hours, parents. Take a break and have some adult time scheduled. And, when you are out with your husband or wife, try not to sing “We Did It! We Did It!  Lo Hicimos!” no matter how much you may want to celebrate.