Spongebob Squarepants...Do You Allow Your Kids to Watch?

I don't get it. What is rude or disgusting about Spongebob? Spongebob is a sweet, simple hearted guy that has great work ethic and goes a little overboard sometimes, just like we all do. He doesn't care about being popular, or cool (for the most part) and he enjoys the simple things in life. He's a good friend, a good worker, a good citizen, a good son/grandson and he has varied interests. He also never gives up (can't get his boating license but keeps trying). I think these are all things I'm cool with my kids seeing in a cartoon.

You know I did not want my son to watch it because I thought the show was just dumb, but he started watching it with my husband. Well guess what- no matter what their age boys love shows with fart jokes and such. Rather than fight it, I just accept it...and I've got to admit the show makes me chuckle. Boys are boys and even my very sweet little one told me that "instead of cartoons, we should all watch fartoons where everyone farts." *SIGH*

I totally agree with you. That show is just plain dumb!!! I don't allow my kids to watch it when I'm home but my husband does when I'm out and he's watching them. I would prefer that they see something educational. Also this part is kinda funny but my boys 8 and 6 love Food Network, especially Cupcake Wars (they tivo it and watch when homework is done next day) and Iron Chef too. I guess they're not the typical American kids, lol.

Spongebob is funny. The jokes that are innapropriate go right over my 3 yr olds head. Cartoon characters aren't meant to be role models. If we are going to use that standard than please apply it to your favorites too.; Someone said Patrick is portrayed as dumb....so was goofy on the Mickey Mouse Show. Lets look at Scooby Doo... A a narcasisst, a lesbian(no offense lesbains), a vapid rich girl ina mini skirt, and a stoner with the munchies. Boris and Natasha from Bullwinkle. Even Tom and Jerry were terrible! Fog Horn Leghorn. Yosemite Sam. I don't want my kids modeling any of thier behavior. But I'm so not concerned about that. My kids are smarter than to think that is proper behavior. Just have a sense of humor sometimes. Not everything is gonna get ya! Besides we all know cartoons aren't made you for you, me, or even our kids.... they are made for stoned college kids!

SpongeBob is hilarious!!! My DD does not find interest in it...no matter how much I try...

Its a cartoon....seriously....EVERYBODY CALM DOWN!!!! I grew up in the 70's and 80's....children are smart...they KNOW its a cartoon....and by cartoon, I mean EXACTLY that, C A R T O O N.......

I feel that we as parents these days have a tendency to "bubble- wrap" our kids....expose them a little, teach them a little....let them problem solve and make their own deductions....prepare them for the world...To quote another mother "SpongeBob says 'stupid' and 'shut up'"....do you really think that Johnny is going to travel through life and NOT hear that?

We love SB. Our boys are 10, 7 and a newborn. It's funny, we actually see SpongeBob and Patrick as an example of a good, healthy friendship. They like each other unconditionally, enjoy acting silly, and are always there to help one another. Squidward is a good example of just how stuffy and closed-minded people can be and Mr Krabs is a good example of just how greedy people can be. Both Squidward and Mr Krabs usually pay a price for their behaviors while SB and Patrick just enjoy life. Sure, not every episode is a life lesson. Some are just fun, but what's wrong with that?

However, you are not alone. We know others that won't let their children watch it either. I certainly respect anyone's decision to not allow their kids to watch it, but with no much garbage on TV these days, we think SB is a good thing.

i let my daughter watch spongebob. I let her watch the simpsons and tom and jerry too. She knows she isn't supposed to drop pianos on peoples heads, that there are no talking sponges and that since these things don't exist she isnt going to try and emulate them.

What frightens me is when these real life girls with shows like high school musical and hannah montana conduct eyebrow raising activities in their real life, this is what i worry about my daughter copying, and idolizing. We dont watch those.

SpongeBob is okay. My daughter enjoys it and doesn't consider Patrick Star a role model. They are silly, goofy acting characters and most of the humor appeals to the younger set. It makes me laugh too. It doesn't make her act wildly or disrespectfully, there is no bad language and the occassional humor that is directed at adults isn't inappropriate for children. The references I've seen are to 2001 Space Odyssey which my daughter certianly didn't get but I found amusing. I find Hannah Montana less appropriate and encourage her to watch other things. Frankly, she'd rather play outside or color than veg out in front of the TV.

I think it is hilarious. My kids love it! I think they adore Spongebob, who is always cheerful, nice, and sweet and the other characters that are stupid or rude are not their role models. If there is rudeness, it is not shown to be a good thing.

For your family only you can make that choice, and no one should judge you for it. As for my, my boys are 5 and 6, and have been watching spongebob for years. It is one of their favorites. They have also watched a few episodes of family guy, and my boys are very polite, respectful, and well behaved little gentleman. Your kids behavior is more determined by your parenting, and their natural attitude, than any tv show they may happen to see, but that is just one moms opinion. My boys know the difference between what htey see in a cartoon and what is normal and good behavior.

No my kids are 10yrs, 6 yrs and 4 yrs. My oldest watched it a couple of times when he was about 2 yrs. Then one day I actually sat down and watched it with him and I was shocked how they spoke to each other. I also don't let them watch some of the Disney shows not the animated shows. Arthur on PBS I think they are also rude to each other.
I don't want my kids talking like that to anyone so if I let them them watch it its like I would be sending a different message.

When our daughter was little and she would watch cartoons, I would ask her "Is this real?" "Is this really the way people act?".. She always looked at me like I was crazy and say," NO! This is just a cartoon and it is all make believe".. Do not underestimate children they are very bright.

If you think your children will be influenced, buy all means do not allow it..

I also used to talk to the TV news or make comments to the TV.. When our daughter was 3 she told me , "mom, it is just TV, they cannot hear you."

She is still calling me out on stuff I do..

No, my boys (5, 2, and 7 weeks) DO NOT watch Sponge Bob. They don't watch much TV, but when they do there are definitely better shows on. I didn't like Sponge Bob, but to be fair I watched 3 episodes. It was disgusting! SB was rude, someone was blowing snot everywhere, and another character was farting. There is nothing educational or entertaining about SB. Stick to your guns! Why would kids bother when they can watch Super Why, Word World, Mickey Mouse, or just about any other show that is entertaining and educational!

K.

No!!, I hate that show, I agree with you its rude and disgusting, and the voices are sooo annoying, even my son says ew to some things, so huge no!

No to Spongebob Square pants. I also find it distasteful. I think the characters are often poor examples to the children who watch it. Don't second guess your instincts - keep your kids away if you don't want them to act like that.

I agree with you and fell the same way. I didn't allow my girls to watch it when they were younger and they have no desire to watch it now at 12 and 13. So I wouldn't worry. My kids do like the Disney shows more now anyway...there were too many things on Nick that I didn't approve of. Keep you head up and hold your ground. You are not alone. Good luck and God Bless.

Do not feel weird that you limit your children's television habits! I am often complimented on how polite my kids are, but it hasn't always been that way. After years of not being able to afford cable, we moved and finally had it.
It started with cartoon network, i noticed my kids repeating some of the phrases and words to each other and then to me.Or my daughter calling her brother "a total total idiot" (from the live action scooby doo) i did not tolerate name calling or being disrespectful at all. It got out of hand very quickly. My children just couldn't watch "normal" kids programing and not mimic the actions or attitudes of the characters towards me and the rest of the family. I finally limited my kids to just a few channels: animal planet, PBS, and Discovery Channel. My kids were 5 and 7 at the time. That was 4 years ago.
My reward for doing this is two very polite and intelligent children who enjoy reading, and are rarely ever bored. They also have developed a large knowledge base about animals and how to care for them (that one dog show with Victoria something had a huge impact because during this time period we adopted our first family pet and the children didn't know how to treat a dog) and a strong empathy for mistreated or shelter pets. They love Dirty Jobs and Mythbusters from Discovery channel too.

I truly believe that America's television programing (especially children's) is a major reason why parents so often have out of control children. it starts small with a child mimicking a movie or tv show and showing a small amount of rudeness towards you and they learn that you tolerate that, then they will continue doing it. They don't even know or understand that what they said was inappropriate, but parents allow it and it grows like a snowball going downhill. Even if it gets to be a huge problem, the kids still don't see it as being disrespectful, it's how they always talked to or treated their parents. Parents treat children as their equals by letting them argue or be defiant. Children are not our equals. They do not have the knowledge or experience that we do. Unless they are an adult and act like an adult, i feel like they should not have the right to argue. Don't get me wrong, my children are allowed (and are not afraid) to express their opinion, but they do it in a respectful way. It helps that i make sure that i listen to them with an open mind (if it is convenient at the time, or i ask them to wait a few minutes so i can give them my full attention) and consider their opinion. I might change my mind about the subject after seeing how they feel or i will tell them i understand their feelings, but we are still doing it my way.

anyhow, you have the control of the tv. if you choose to limit or eliminate tv time or certain programs, it will not harm them in anyway. in fact it will help them. Every minute they are not watching television, they are using their brains, increasing their intelligence and keeping their bodies more active. All positive results in my book!

I was just discussing this with my friends last week! Ha! No, I don't let my daughter watch it. She will be 3 this weekend. I prefer her to still watch the preschool shows while possible. She does seem to like Sponge Bob even though she hasn't seemed to get into other "big kid" shows, but I'm holding off as long as possible on this one! I think it depends how old your kids are, but it's definitely too much for my toddler!

I thought I hated Spongebob until I watched Spongebob. Now I love it and we do watch it. My son is 7.
Sometimes a "crusade" is begun before it's been investigated.

I wouldn't have, but it was a battle I was not willing to fight with MY mother, for when she watched my son at her house. The "money money money" thing Mr. Krabs does has been a problem with our son *since* he started watching it (at age 3), but in he's been in my kiddo's list of heros for 5 years now. (The current list for the past 2 years has been pretty constant: SpongeBob, MasterChief, & Carl Sagan)

If you are crazy, then I am too! Our four year old is not allowed to watch Spongebob Squarepants and several other shows. I've handled the situation delicately with other parents and explained that I have nothing against parents who do allow their children to watch Spongebob, but our family has decided not to. (I agree with you that their behaviors are rude and disgusting.) I have explained to our daughter that Spongebob and the characters in the other shows we don't watch model behaviors that are not appropriate.
Stick to your guns, sister! You are doing something that is making a 'forever impression' on your girls, and it will carry over into other areas of their lives.

i love spongebob and let my kids watch. and even if I didn't like it i would not "make" my kids not like it. it a cartoon! who cares! i have better things to worry about then if spongebob farted and didn't say excuse me! i looked up spongebob a few months ago on wikipedia and the creators did admit there are few adult jokes inbeded in the episodes. but nothing just outrageous. i think some kids can watch whatever and know that it is not reality as long you let them know what reality is. my kids watch the simpsons, and family guy. and they know they better not repeat anything volgur. and they are 6 and 4! my son saw the new resident evil movie and has yet to have a nightmare or not want to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night. if you look at bugs bunny, tom and jerry, wylie coyote and elmer fudd they were wuite violent if you ask me. hannah montana is walking around half naked now, do you let them watch that?

I let my Kids. we, as parents watch it. I have it DVR'd. Spongebob is great. Kids do get the adult humor in it. Did you when you were watching Roadrunner, bugsbunny. etc...? Let me tell you, because I have witnessed it all my life, when you keep something from a child they will seek it out. those kids will watch things much worse than spongebob at other kids houses. They will eat the candy, drink the pop, and be crazy about it. Because they want to know what the curiosity is all about. But at least if you are letting them do it in front of you, you can have conversations. I am VERY open with my kids. And now My 14 yr old son is still talkin to me. LOVE IT>

I'm so glad someone else feels this way (at least there is 2 of us) because we've now lived in KC and in Virginia and all our neighbors think we're weird. My son is absolutely not allowed to watch a show that isn't really meant for kids. First of all, I would never want him treating anyone the way they treat each other or making fun of people the way they do. Then there is all the adult context, that he may not understand, but I don't talk about sex with him just because he doesn't understand. I mean, the Krusty Krab is set in Bikini Bottom, it's not trying to hide it at all.

My son knows it's the rule, because I got really sick and was in the hospital, our neighbor was helping out in the evenings to watch him so my husband could come see me. After I got better, she was like, I'm really sorry, but N.. favorite show (her son) is SpongeBob and he watches it every day, but L.. (my son) said he's not allowed, so I told him not to pay attention and just play with toys while it was on. That was fine, but I was so glad to know that my son was telling people, hey I can't watch that.

Plus...now we don't have the crazy, I don't have to spend money on ridiculous stuff that doesn't do anything, so bonus.

Most of the shows on TV are getting dummer and dummer I agree.
I do like SpongeBob,I don't think TV has anything to do, like Elizabeth C. stated, if my children are polite, etc.My children are very polite and respectful and caring.Smart children should know the difference between some TV shows,and the way they behaving in society.
If children are not respectful etc, it's the fault of the parent who are not willing to correct them.

I'm not a fan of Sponge Bob either and my 3 year old isn't allowed to watch it. I agree with your assessment of the program. I sit down and watch all new shows with my daughter and if I don't approve, she doesn't get to watch it. We watched about 10 minutes of Phineas & Ferb one day before I banned them for the same reason. They are rude, disrespectful, and their behavior is wildly innappropriate. I don't give a darn what other parents think about my parenting choices. It's my responsibility to raise my child, not theirs. If they allow their children to be exposed to lude, rude, obnoxious characters that show no respect for others, that's their business. It's not my job to judge them, it's my job to raise my child right.

You can choose what your children watch, that's up to you but I hope that it's worth the battle. Has not letting them watch Spongebob made them better people? If so, then it is worth the battle. I hope my children are smart enough not to be influenced by a fictional TV character. But I believe that the number one influence on my children, is their parents, not the almighty TV. But that's probably because my children spend much more time with my husband and I than they do with the TV.

I do let my children watch some episodes of Spongebob. The older episodes are about a naive, sweet, unconditionally loving, hardworking sponge who goes above and beyond to help others, work hard and be a good friend and neighbor. He's also silly and creative. Guess what? Children are silly and creative- that is until grown ups stomp the creativity and silliness out of children.
Sometimes watching TV is just about entertainment. Our society has suddenly decided that everything children do, watch and play with has to be educational. And where has it gotten us? Children aren't getting smarter. Instead they are becoming mindless robots reciting everything they are told to say and believe instead of thinking for themselves. I can think of one fictional character who thinks for himself. His name is Spongebob!

No! Not even my oldest he will be 9 in Dec. I think the show is horrible. They call their each other stupid and tell each other I hate you, its disgusting, rude, and think some of the humor is better suited for adults then 7 year olds. It is blocked on our tv :)

Yes, my daughter, now 7, has been allowed to watch Spongebob for a few years. Sometimes it is a bit disgusting, and sometimes the artwork is a little scary, but overall, I feel the show usually represents pretty good issues. Spongebob would never intentionally hurt anyone, when he makes a mistake he tries to correct it, he's a very good friend to Patrick, etc. Mr. Krabs and Squidward represent the "bad" behavior in people, but the kind of people kids will come across.

What my daughter has never been allowed to watch are shows like Hannah Montana or iCarly or any of the other ones with actors. While in Hannah Montana, there is a "token moral lesson" provided at the very end of the show, the behavior throughout the entire episode up to that point is SOOO awful and intolerable, the little lesson at the end could never correct it for any kid younger than at least 3rd grade, and even for kids older than that (if they were still interested in watching it) the show would just validate and reinforce all the bad behavior they see daily up to that point. iCarly I know less about, but it (and all the other "kids shows" that are not cartoons) kind of gives me the same vibe.

So there you have it, I think Spongebob is a sweet, innocent, VERY good role model for kids, who just happens to use a little too much bathroom humor - but that's the kind kids understand.

YES!!! I LOVE Spongebob. It's hilarious. I don't think it's rude and disgusting, silly maybe.

I completely agree with you! I think it's an awful show. I hate that they make clothes and toys for babies & toddlers!! The show is rated for age 7 or 9 or so! (Even then I don't like it..)

My daughter is 4 1/2 and she knows to change the channel if that show comes on. She will even scream from across the room that someone needs to change the channel because she can't watch that! LOL I wonder how long this will last.......hehe

spongebob is stupid no i dont watch it

oh i think it's sooo obnoxious. my son has watched it here or there when he's not with me or dad, but in general we don't have it in our house either. honestly i could never get past the sound of it, to me the entire show is just like fingernails on a chalkboard. i trust my son and if i ever saw him picking things up from these shows i would nip it in the bud. i just don't happen to enjoy it, and there are always TONS of other age appropriate shows on these days. no need for it thank goodness.

I don't let my kids watch it but I have a SUPER crazy reason! lol!
When I was pregnant with my son, I had severe, knock you flat morning sickness for almost my whole pregnancy. Spongebob was the only thing annoying enough to keep my mind off of my misery.
Now my body must associate SpongeBob with the worst nausea of my life because it turns my stomach! Literally!
So, there you have it.......the absolute most ridiculous reason to not let your kids watch a show! :)

I'm not gonna read all the answers left on here, but I'm guessing most are saying something along the lines of "oh, no! Spongebob?? Inappropriate!"
Well, I don't see why. Obviously, your mind is made up about it but ponder this. 20 years ago, kids were watching Tom & Jerry, Popeye, Woody Woodpecker and such. I know it sound all pretty and nice, but you should go back and take a hard look at what you grew up watching. Chances are, unless you didnt have a tv, you watch thos utterly VIOLENT shows, and went outside to play.

We have become SO paranoid at with what our kids watch on TV, only because we, as a society, have decided that tv can do the educating instead of us...Kids dont go out because we're so afraid of everything, cars, pollution, predators, ect... But we forget that by not teaching kids to protec themselves and over protecting them we are really doing them a disservice as parents...

Not a judgment on SpongeBob, but just something to consider. Besides, I'd rather have my daughter learn things like "So long, sucker", rather then look at me and say "Mom, why does Ruby's parent never take care of her...she's always living alone and her grandma visits her..."

I have three girls as well and they are NOT allowed to watch SBSP for the very same reason you and others have stated. It is just so inappropriate. They know they are not allowed to watch it, I tell them why. When we are at other peoples homes and it comes on they are shouting we can't watch that, it is inappropriate. OR they say Mom won't let us watch that. When they see it on they turn it off. They used to complain about not getting to watch it then they saw part of one and after that they voluntarily turn it off. It is just not appropriate for kids to watch. Don't feel bad and who cares what others think. I know that is easier said than done believe me. But they are your kids and you have to do what you think is best. You kids will one day thank you.

My kids are 12, 9, and 7. I did let them watch it when they were younger. Since my eldest was watching it at 8yrs old, my daughters (then 5 and 3) also were exposed to it. They watched it and watched it and totally got it out of their system. It hasn't been on in our house in over 1 1/2 yrs at this point, by their own choice. I don't think it affected them negatively in any way. When they watch gross or stupid stuff on TV, they KNOW it's just TV and behavior like that just won't pass in the real world, so they don't even try. On the other hand, they see far worse behavior at school, or rude people in restaurants, or people yelling at each other randomly in parking lots, and countless other "bad" behavior in public. I heard "so-and-so's mother lets HER eat candy for breakfast!" a lot more than I ever heard "SpongeBob's allowed to eat candy for breakfast!" as an argument. Good parenting will counteract any "bad" behavior learned from TV, I think.

I don't have my 3 year-old watch Spongebob Squarepants. If I'M the one laughing at the jokes, it means the humor is for adults. It is not for preschooler and toddlers.

If you don't want your children to watch something, that's OK. Parents have different opinions on raising their children and you want them to model the values you have. I hope this helps.

It's my sons favorite show by far. I am always around him when he is watching TV so if there is rude behavior I always make sure to tell him, " See, thats not how we act" or something along the lines of rude behavior is not acceptable... Now he points out the naughty or rude things himself and says," I can't do that.." etc.. So it actually was sort of helpful! Just like on Kai-Lan... There is a character that is rude... but thats acceptable, right!?! :) Every parent is different!

My son is scared of Spongebob, and will leave the room if that show is on. I personally found some of the jokes funny... for teenagers, maybe. Actually my sister and I used to watch it for fun when in high school.

I am a teacher, and most kids I know do not like Spongebob. Quite a few moms have told me their kids get nightmares from him, too... so you are not alone in your opinions!! And I don't really think your kids are missing out....

I have boys, and they used to love it. They're teens now, and don't think it's funny anymore, probably because it's too silly. But I admit that I loved it when we were watching it. Spongebob taking forever to learn how to make a krabby patty - reminds me of my own cooking skills! Hysterical!

Excuse me - not what you wanted to hear! :)
Dawn

Sponge Bob is not allowed in my house. My kids aren't allowed to watch it. I think it's an awful show. To be honest, though, the majority of what they watch on TV is educational. I don't want my kids glued to the tv all the time, so if they do watch, I would prefer it to be something they could learn something from.

I'm with you. I hate the show. If they're going to spend time sitting and gawking at a TV, I'd rather they watch something educational. No excuses there, since basic cable has kids educational channel running all day.

Glad there is other mama's like me out there:-)

NO. Useless television show. My preschool kids watch only PBS shows such as Caillou, Berenstain Bears, Sesame Street etc. with good role modeling, problem solving and morals. I'll have to address what they watch when they are older, when it happens. Good luck toyou.

We love Spongebob! I have never seen any problem with it. If you actaully sit down and watch some of the episodes, SpongeBob is actually quite caring, polite, upstanding and empathetic. I don't see how any of these qualities are bad for a child to pick up? I encourage you to sit down without your kids around and actually watch and absorb all of the parts of the show, not just the (very few) "rude" parts that are really insignificant to the whole show.

I don't think you are crazy. I have been discribed as a very relaxed parent. I let my boys play with toy guns. I let them eat real sugar. I suppose I am not very modern. But my one pet peeze is Sponge Bob. I do not let my kids watch it. I do not think a cartoon character who often runs around in his underwear is appropriate for kids. My kids have gotten crazy looks from friends when they tell them they don't watch it but I just don't want it on in my house. Also when my oldest was younger he was not allowed to watch Power Rangers but that was because after he watched it he would go out and beat up his friends.

My Daughters are almost 8, 8 and 6 1/2 yrs old. We do let them watch Spongebob, however they do know that it is just a cartoon and that we aren't to act like they do on the show. They currently are seeing it as purely entertainment. I must also add that they don't watch it every day, maybe a total of 2 episodes a week. I do know there are some things on that show that are above their head and they don't understand. One day our stance may change but since it is only occasionaly that they get to watch it, it is fine for now. They would all prefer, Wizards of Waverly Place, etc. They don't watch much of the station that he is on anyway, just rarely like I said.

I don't let my 4-year-old watch it at home (even though I like the show). I don't freak out if someone else lets him watch it when he's at a friend's house, grandparents, etc. I figure I control what I can at home and have to trust that is a good foundation and I'd make myself nuts and my kids miserable if I tried to manage everything. However, I basically only allow my kids to watch PBS kids and a few other shows that we watch as a family (usually cooking shows or other educational stuff). Many of my son's friends do watch those shows and many people think I'm unreasonable, but I don't let the way other people raise their kids change the way I raise mine. I have very definite reasons why I don't let me son watch those other shows and I believe in them. For me, I just have to do what I think is best for my kids despite what other people say or I feel miserable, even if it is tough to stick to my guns, particularly when other people think I'm crazy and my kids think I'm unfair. Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

I haven't read all the responses, but no, we don't let our son watch it. We feel like it's more of an "adult" cartoon than for kids. I have had him at a SpongeBob themed playdate once, he watched a little bit of the show, but was more interested in playing. We made little SpongeBobs (he had no clue who it was) and made Squidard (? can't remember the name) hotdogs. I just told him they were octobpus hotdogs! We don't even watch it ourselves.

My daughter is 3 and I don't allow it - it's just too stupid to me. My stepsons are 16 and 17 and will STILL watch Sponge Bob! Every weekend that they were over, TV ended up on Sponge Bob and I was like, really? Surely you have already seen every episode a hundred times! It drove me nuts but their mom saw nothing wrong with it, she thought it was funny. Now we live in a different state from them and they come out to visit 3 or 4 times a year. They were with us this past summer for 2 weeks and no matter what I had put on initially for my daughter (PBS Kids, Nick Jr., etc.), if they were around, it ended up on Sponge Bob. It was if there was a channel somewhere that was all Sponge Bob, 24 hours a day. The pineapple under the sea knew no time zone. I didn't say anything the first few times because I wanted them to enjoy their visit with us and not make waves, but finally I had to start putting my foot down, and tell them, look I don't want her watching Sponge Bob, okay? It's not like she is begging with me to watch it anyhow - she would rather watch Dora and Curious George. There were also all these wacky dumb cartoons they would put on that were on Cartoon Network and more geared toward tweens and I told them not when their baby sister was around.

I totally understand why you don't want your kids watching it, but if they did, hopefully they would not start imitating what they see. If they do, then it's time to have a talk about what is appropriate behavior and what you will and will not accept in your home. We watched Bugs Bunny cartoons growing up but didn't try to do the things that Elmer Fudd and Yosemite Sam and Wylie Coyote were doing. We knew it was just a cartoon. Sometimes when we totally forbid something, it just makes it that much alluring. Maybe only allow one episode a day to start and see where it goes. I don't like Sponge Bob either but I don't think it's the worst thing they could be watching.

We have no TV at home, only DVDs. This is the easiest way to control what your kids watch.

My daughter does watch it when she is at her friend's house. She is 4.

I agree, I do not like Spongebob. The couple of times I watched it, I heard and saw things like them having a panty raid which I thought was disgusting, I saw the boys characters watching some lady characters withe seashell bras on dancing, not to mention all the rude jokes. People think oh it's just a cartoon, well what do you think the kids are going to think is acceptable. Kids copy what they see and hear. And the whole boys will be boys thing, is stupid. Don't you want your boys to grow up to be respectable young men, not the pigs that are mostly around now?

My 3 year old isn't interested in it, and that's fine, but me and my 9 year old (and hubby) all think it's hilarious. I think it's a pretty wholesome show considering what else there is out there.

My little 8 month old loves Spongebob cause of the colors and such. I think it is much better than Hannah Montana, iCarly... that kissing and dating stuff - 5 year olds shouldn't even know what relationship kissing is and they do. I think Spongebob can be innapropriate at times, but not terribly enough to cut it out. It's probably very hard to keep Spongebob away from them, but you're doing what you think is right, so it really doesn't matter why other parents question what you want for your children. (:

no - it's way too crass and rude. I try to only let my son watch Noggin or PBS Sprout and Playhouse Disney - the shows are at least a little bit educational and the big bonus is NO COMMERCIALS!
He loves the animated series on Nick Avatar the Last Airbender - we like that one too so we watch it off Netflix to avoid the junkfood commercials etc.
Stick to you guns mama!
My son watched Sponge Bob at his daycare (age 3) and stuck his tongue out at me - I scolded him for it and he told me Sponge Bob does it!
He's almost 6 now and is very good at explaining to his friends why SB is not allowed in our house.

That is an adult show as far as I am concerned. Don't think it's a good show either. Nope we don't watch it though my friends let their children watch it.
C.

I have the same rule, and my mother and other family members have broken it intentionally which is very frustrating, to say the least....I personally think Sponge Bob has tons of subliminal messages and is a tool used to dumb down our children. I HATE that show.

we love sponge bob!! me and my hubby included! its a sill cartoon and my girls love it ages 3 and 6 they havent picked up anything bad from it in fact we have learned a few ways to cope with anger from it. instead of yelling or cussing we say barnicals or tarter sauce. lol silly i know gbut it has helped with the darn its and worse....

I enjoy the show but it makes my 4 year old into a maniac - so he can't watch it. He will turn it off or call for me to turn it off. He even tells his daycare that he can't watch it. The movies are horrible, stupid 13 year old boy humor.

My kids don't watch TV yet (2.5 and 9 months), but when they do, I will let them watch Spongebob. Spongebob is such a sweet character. I also think it's a very imaginative show.

I am not a fan of Spongebob. My kids are, but since we don't subscribe to the channel it is on their exposure is limited so I don't mind them watching it every once in a while. If we did subscribe to that channel, I'm not sure what I would do.

Yeah, you know I don't like that show much either. I will let my son have spongebob yogurt from the store and he can watch it occasionally, but I find the humor to mature and disrespectful. I don't have an absolutely never rule, but I avoid it.

My boys watch Spongebob.

You may not like the show, but kids love it. Do your kids like to watch the news or CNN?

If Spongebob was a bad influence on kids then the cartoon wouldn't be so popular.

I read through a few of the responses and honestly, it made me laugh. I let my kids (4 and 2) watch spongebob. Its a silly cartoon that makes my daughter laugh and a funny little sponge that makes her happy. I think it's the job of the parents to teach their kids to be respectful, honest, caring individuals...NOT the TV. If your kids turn out to be disrespectful and such then I blame the adults in charge for not teaching them right from wrong. My kids are great kids. They are respectful and dont act like spongebob or any of his friends at all! :)

My 3 yo son has not seen it, nor have I. Once while flipping through channels I stopped to see what the hype was about, but it didn't hold my interest, so I kept channel surfing.

Ahhh, more about the TV debate, man this has been a hot topic this evening:)

I think it is your right as the parent to limit whatever you see fit. If you do not like SpongeBob, then it is OK for you to not allow your kids to watch it and you should feel comfortable with your decision. If you feel you have problems with your kids and imitating what they see on TV, then by all means shelter them from it.

I am a lot more liberal with my kids and the TV...I do not see any harm in SpongeBob...there really are only a handful of shows that I feel are very inappropriate for my kids, other than those(which were listed on a previous post tonight about this same topic) I have chosen not to shelter my kids from much...in the large scheme of things, I do not feel that TV is going to influence my childrens' behavior or affect their overall well-being...I hope as a parent I will have more of an influence in that and what I teach them and the values I have set for our family, than that of what they see on TV.

I'm so glad to see that I'm not the only mom who disapproved of this show!!! I agree that it is horrible gross and rude and my kids have never seen it. When they see any merchandise at the store with the character on it they say, "Mommy, we don't like that show!"
My girls are 5 1/2, 3 1/2, and one day old!
Loni

Hmmm...I didn't have a rule about it with my oldest (now 4) but we don't have cable so she never saw it at home. I figured the little she might see out and about at other's houses wouldn't do any harm. Then I heard her say to her little bro "I'm going to kick your butt!" (she wasn't actually going to fight, she was repeating something she heard that she thought was funny) and when I asked where she heard it she said "Spongebob!" soooooo.... no more for us!

I find the way Patrick is written, so stupid, that it's not a role model I want the kids to watch. Spongebob has an innocence about him that I do like and how they are friends through thick and thin, but Patrick just ruins the show for me. Over all, I just don't put it on.

I tend to not watch Nick Jr., I do like the Fresh Beat Band and a couple of other shows but I am not going to be constantly finding the remote and switching from Mickey Mouse clubhouse to Dora and then back to Jungle Junction and then back to Diego, Kai-Lan, Wonder Pets, Backyardigans.... then back...I just tend to leave the TV on Disney and don't bother changing it.

We do buy the DVD of Nicktoons sometimes and the kids really like those.

Another show I won't allow on in the house is Icarly. Sams character teaches kids to be disrespectful, loudmouthed, inconsiderate, rude, selfish, and just plain nasty.

nope, not at my house. My son is 3. The language on that show is horrible. But maybe when he is older and understands that it is just a cartoon and that he shouldn't speak like that then he can watch it. Also, when he is older, he'll be able to understand the show and learn from it. There are some lessons to be learned from spongebob, but my son is too young to understand them.

My son is almost 19 and my daughter is 3. He watched it some when he was teenaged but I don't allow her to watch it. She has caught some when at someone else's home (which I am not thrilled with since it was her daycare provider but the adult daughter was watching). So, she likes Spongebob but does not watch it.

The show is not just rude but it also has very adult overtones and is not appropriate for kids.

Some of the responses here just make me laugh at their sanctimonious-ness.
Spongebob has been a constant in our lives since my son was 2. He's 8 1/2 now and we still love him. He's silly,kind and funny, as is the whole show. Some adult humor...sure, but so subtle that it goes way over the kids' heads. I think the show is very well done as current cartoons go.
I grew up on Bugs Bunny cartoons, LOVE(D) THEM...way more objectionable than Spongebob if you think about it, but it hasn't messed me up, unless letting my son watch Spongebob is a bi-product of that ;)
Besides there are way more objectionable things on t.v. nowadays and sometimes kids grow out of the saccarine sweet kiddie shows early. I object to the kiddie shows that dumb down things to such a great degree such as Dora the Explorer... I rarely let him watch that when he was little because I myself couldn't stand it..
My son loved Blue's Clues, Max and Ruby, Oobie (all shows I myself liked for him and certainly could tolerate in the background) etc. but HATED Dora and her ilk even when he got to watch it. But when he grew out of the kiddie shows there was always Spongebob...like I said, He's been a constant. :)

Every once in a while, I let my son (age 6) watch Sponge Bob because frankly we find the humor (some of which is adult humor) over his head. We may revisit it when he's older but currently I don't like what is being said on the show or the actions of some of the characters. Our son watches limited TV at this point.