My Sizzler watched the TV show about hoarders with studied focus. She stared frozen as the show shared the lives of people who collect things to such an extent that they can no longer move through their homes. Stacks of newspapers, unopened packages, garage sales finds, dirty dishes, and mountains of clothes are piled often to the ceiling, creating tunnel-like paths through their homes.
My daughter watched, unblinking at the screen, while the camera painstakingly worked its way through a woman’s home. Apparently, years ago this mom had suffered the loss of two children, only six months apart, and her inability to cope had sent her into a hoarding downward spiral. Suddenly, my eleven year old turned to me in utter seriousness, put her hand on mine and said, “Don’t ever do that. Just don’t. If, heaven forbid, I were to die. . .<insert big pause> . . .take up knitting.”
I laughed out loud. Her concern was so heartfelt. Her face so serious. Yet, the idea of me as a hoarder. . .
would bemuse most of my family. I was raised in the military. And that means every few years you throw away everything you don’t feel like packing. This usually leaves me with several books and a coffee pot. I feel practically giddy when throwing things away. I look at a horizontal piece of table or shelf that was once covered with stuff, and find that once it’s cleared, I have a reaction that must be something like smoking crack. Who needs drugs. . .when a polished cleared table produces such an effect? <feel the swoon>
A few members of my family however, hover dangerously near the hoarding disorder line (and they’re ALL Sizzlers, now that I think of it.) They have a very difficult time throwing things away. My youngest Sizzler believes that almost everything “would be perfect in my room!” My father has long collected obscure and odd-shaped things “that we just might need one day.” And my husband believes that anything that our children have ever breathed around is now precious, and must be preserved with sacred solemnity. The beginnings of tell-tale piles easily form around them.
I pick my battles carefully. My father and husband are on their own. But my Sizzler is still under my influence, and I decided that perhaps we should watch LOTS more of this show, Hoarders. Why? Because I remember so well how watching another TV show impacted my son (the older Sizzler) to change how he views reckless and rash behaviors.
Previously, I had spent vast amounts of breath telling him not to climb on the roof, not to walk with scissors point-up, not to open the car door before the driver had stopped, etc. He constantly thought I was just over-reactive mom. Hyper-worry mom. Dismissible and amusing over-careful mom. Then one day we accidentally stumbled upon a TV show, 911 Emergency, that showcased actual ambulance calls. Each show started with a recreation of the accident, then followed up with the emergency action taken to rescue the victims. My son was hooked. Suddenly he saw, in vivid detail, just what happened when kids run through a glass window, ride a bike without a helmet, or venture out on thin ice. The show fascinated him; it also validated me. In time, he became the voice of caution, the resident crossing guard, the home monitor and safety patrol. It should come as no surprise that he also eventually became an EMT and firefighter.
So the question then becomes, why did this show work where the words of a wise and experienced mother did not? I think it has something to do with repetition and visual imagery. This TV show brought its message with sight, sound, color, and drama. And not just drama, but drama that was safe, while still “experienceable”. All the wise words in the world can’t compete with that.
But I also believe that Sizzlers need more. More of everything. More intensity. More voices. And most of all. . .more repetition, to get some concepts.
So I find myself in an odd position of advocating television use. Carefully. Moderately. And with a noble purpose. It may seem counter to traditional educational thought, but there it is. I’m putting the TV show “Hoarders” on our schedule. I’m hoping that my daughter will eventually develop a fear of becoming what she sees on the screen. And that she might, one day, view her room with a different eye.
One more thing to try. . .
January 14, 2012 at 3:27 pm |
This whole article rings so true in my home. I look forward to reading your future posts to see how this theory works.
January 14, 2012 at 3:56 pm |
Thanks! it helps to hear what works and helps to reinforce concepts that our kids just do not get via mom & dad’s instruction. Thanks for sharing your experience, and encouraging us on our journey with our “Sizzler”!
January 14, 2012 at 4:29 pm |
As always. I just need to follow in your footsteps.
January 14, 2012 at 7:11 pm |
I know nobody else in the world liked the reality show “Kid Nation”, but it really helped my son. He saw some of the kids’ obnoxious behaviors and realized how his actions might appear to other people.
January 14, 2012 at 10:46 pm |
Laurie, Supernanny has a similar effect on mine!
January 15, 2012 at 1:56 am |
I have to admit I laughed out loud myself when I read the part about knitting. I pictured your house covered from floor to ceiling in knitted objects…scarves, mittens, sweaters…with you sitting in the middle of it all being filmed for a show called “Knitting Nightmares.”
I have to agree with the T.V. viewing. It does seem to have a different effect on my son. From a very young age he was drawn to documentaries about all kinds of things. And he can recall with great detail what he learned. I’m going to see if I can find old Emergency 911 shows for him to watch. My husband just asked him yesterday if he thought he might like to be a firefighter.
January 16, 2012 at 3:13 pm |
I think you’re on to something with the “Knitting Nightmares” show. Give a year and you’ll see it as some reality TV program. 🙂
January 15, 2012 at 4:33 am |
So glad for an update from you on the blog! I wish that you would write more often, I enjoy reading your updates. You will never know how much your workshops helped me when I heard you speak in Memphis last spring. At a time when I was really struggling with my son in school, I sat with tears streaming listening to you describe him to a t. I implemented some of the things that you shared (the office, listening to music) and the results have been phenomenal!! Thanks for always encouraging others with your words.
January 18, 2012 at 8:05 pm |
What a nice thing to say! –that you wish I’d write more often. I’ve considered doing a daily or weekly thing, but decided I’m going to just wait till I have something to say. Long ago I heard an agent say, “So and so had 3 great books in them. . .which is too bad since they wrote 8.” I just don’t want to ramble and waste your time. But I promise, I’ll try to have insights more frequently than at present. 🙂 Your note was very encouraging to me.
January 15, 2012 at 4:33 am |
We also talk a lot about keys around here now 😮
February 14, 2012 at 1:40 am |
well..i tried it with a Peter Walsh show and also w/ hoarders. He felt so bad for them..wanting to find a way for them to keep their stuff… i’ll keep working on it though! Perhaps i should set a better example….