I never watched more than a couple minutes of his show when I was young. And I don’t think my kids ever did either. He was “too slow, too corny, too boring”; opting for the “excitement” of TV sitcoms in the 60s and 70s. So now that I’m a wee bit older 😆 I just watched an episode on making crayons. I actually enjoyed it, perhaps influenced by reading your essay. He started drawing a house with crayons saying “I’m not very good at drawing, but that doesn’t matter because I’m having fun doing it”. Honestly, I’m not sure those messages would have penetrated my cerebral cortex as a kid, but glad to know I’ve come to appreciate his show later in life. Maybe I’ll see if my granddaughter is interested when she’s old enough. Thanks Barry!
“I’m not very good at drawing, but that doesn’t matter because I’m having fun doing it”. That's such a great message for a child and adult! We tend to give up way too early.
Mr Rogers wuzza kind & gentle soul an' ALL his messages were of tolerance, kindness, helpfulness... As a kid I found 'im too borin' by half but as a grown-up I bought his vintage books fer my kiddos--like his one on bein' a big sib to a little one an' helpin' them!--Such a great idear ta make them feel useful an' important to their younger sibs at any age, 'specially when mama & paper are unintentionally laser-focus'd on baby's needs (an' may miss signs from their bigger littles!). In this book (or mebbe 2? it's been a'while!) he included baby wearin'! (slings, etc) an' not just strollers 'er prams 'er cribs (double yuk) an' at a time 'fore etsy where you couldn't even FIND ways ta git those great carriers! He also hadda book 'bout nursin' mamas at a time where bottles were everywhar an' "crunchiness" was suspect! So I discovered a LOT of his genius long after his fame had faded! Also some'a his vintage "how things are made" shorts are still on the innertubes--as little my girls & I both enjoyed 'em! Mr Rogers was NOT the fool who thought of givin' everybuddy a gold star an' sayin' "good job"--that's an'nuther kettle of fish but 't'aint on him ;-)
fwiw one'a my fave whirled philosophers iz "Dr Seuss!" -- folks should never diminish the possy-tive contributions in the children's arena, neither Rogers nor Seuss!
they were! I like the "Ergo" as it wuz better fer mah back but nearly the only time I used strollers wuz fer the groceries! (i.e. kid on back/front, cabbage in the stroller!)
but yup, Mister R wuz far ahead of this time an' whut's ODD is that nobuddy else replaced those dated books from like--1980-ish? Sure one might find books 'bout proper baby-wearin' or wrappin' them slings fer adults... but nuttin' fer the children like Mr R. did so casually ta make ALL such cherces normal! (he didn't judge the stroller/crib crowd but he just included all the crunchier options!) Snap up them books if ya find 'em (I know ya gots daughters too) as they are not in print any more!
Mazel tov! What teeriffic nooze! Yup, my pleasure Barry--I used the Ergo 'til my youngest wuz FIVE lol--takes a lotta weight as they git bigger! (fer the Mister R books, scour ebay, alibris, abe--all the used book online sites while ya kin! sorry I don't recall the titles but hopefully you'll strike gold!)
Also, fer the little darlin' when she's able ta sit up--this is a delightful board book with few words (any? it's been zoooo long lol) but methinks yer expandin' fam'll enjoy!
I never watched more than a couple minutes of his show when I was young. And I don’t think my kids ever did either. He was “too slow, too corny, too boring”; opting for the “excitement” of TV sitcoms in the 60s and 70s. So now that I’m a wee bit older 😆 I just watched an episode on making crayons. I actually enjoyed it, perhaps influenced by reading your essay. He started drawing a house with crayons saying “I’m not very good at drawing, but that doesn’t matter because I’m having fun doing it”. Honestly, I’m not sure those messages would have penetrated my cerebral cortex as a kid, but glad to know I’ve come to appreciate his show later in life. Maybe I’ll see if my granddaughter is interested when she’s old enough. Thanks Barry!
“I’m not very good at drawing, but that doesn’t matter because I’m having fun doing it”. That's such a great message for a child and adult! We tend to give up way too early.
Excellent piece. For better or worse, his teachings were essentially to me, Walk humbly before God”
Thanks, Bart.
Excellent piece, brought back many thought of my childhood and various memories
Mr Rogers wuzza kind & gentle soul an' ALL his messages were of tolerance, kindness, helpfulness... As a kid I found 'im too borin' by half but as a grown-up I bought his vintage books fer my kiddos--like his one on bein' a big sib to a little one an' helpin' them!--Such a great idear ta make them feel useful an' important to their younger sibs at any age, 'specially when mama & paper are unintentionally laser-focus'd on baby's needs (an' may miss signs from their bigger littles!). In this book (or mebbe 2? it's been a'while!) he included baby wearin'! (slings, etc) an' not just strollers 'er prams 'er cribs (double yuk) an' at a time 'fore etsy where you couldn't even FIND ways ta git those great carriers! He also hadda book 'bout nursin' mamas at a time where bottles were everywhar an' "crunchiness" was suspect! So I discovered a LOT of his genius long after his fame had faded! Also some'a his vintage "how things are made" shorts are still on the innertubes--as little my girls & I both enjoyed 'em! Mr Rogers was NOT the fool who thought of givin' everybuddy a gold star an' sayin' "good job"--that's an'nuther kettle of fish but 't'aint on him ;-)
fwiw one'a my fave whirled philosophers iz "Dr Seuss!" -- folks should never diminish the possy-tive contributions in the children's arena, neither Rogers nor Seuss!
Thanks for listing all the ways he was ahead of his time, Daisy. The BabyBjörn carriers are such a great invention.
they were! I like the "Ergo" as it wuz better fer mah back but nearly the only time I used strollers wuz fer the groceries! (i.e. kid on back/front, cabbage in the stroller!)
but yup, Mister R wuz far ahead of this time an' whut's ODD is that nobuddy else replaced those dated books from like--1980-ish? Sure one might find books 'bout proper baby-wearin' or wrappin' them slings fer adults... but nuttin' fer the children like Mr R. did so casually ta make ALL such cherces normal! (he didn't judge the stroller/crib crowd but he just included all the crunchier options!) Snap up them books if ya find 'em (I know ya gots daughters too) as they are not in print any more!
Daisy, Thanks for the pointer to the Ergo (granddaughter is on the way) and book recommendations!
Mazel tov! What teeriffic nooze! Yup, my pleasure Barry--I used the Ergo 'til my youngest wuz FIVE lol--takes a lotta weight as they git bigger! (fer the Mister R books, scour ebay, alibris, abe--all the used book online sites while ya kin! sorry I don't recall the titles but hopefully you'll strike gold!)
Also, fer the little darlin' when she's able ta sit up--this is a delightful board book with few words (any? it's been zoooo long lol) but methinks yer expandin' fam'll enjoy!
https://www.amazon.com/Carry-Babies-Everywhere-Bright-Books/dp/1595721800/ref=as_li_ss_tl?
5min of Fred on nursin'! This is priceless!!!!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8CgYpHqdYo
Thank you, Daisy!