I babysat tonight and it was boring. Six hours of sitting earned me $120. My job was easy but emotionally stressful. I had to watch Lia, a seven-year-old civilized girl. My babysitting experience started at 4:30 pm. At 4:25 I walked to Wyckoff between Hoyt and Bond, where LiaâÂÂs camp bus promptly dropped her off. At 4:40 we entered the house and the first thing she did wasâ¦turn on the television.
           Sitting at the table, about five feet from the television, we sat in front of the moving figures displayed on the screen. We sat there for an hour and half. I asked her if she wanted anything to drink, she quickly glanced away from the magnet-like television to say no, and quickly readjusted her position, again glaring at the television. Sponge Bob was on, a popular but pointless one. Following SpongeBob came Scooby Doo and after Scooby Doo followed another episode of SpongeBob. After the third episode I suggested that we relocate to her bedroom, three levels above where we were sitting.
           We moved to her room. Her room was fashionably decorated. The white marble fireplace held photos of her with friends and family. The bookshelves to the left and right held shelves of Barbie dolls and books. Her leopard print curtains matched the leopard print hamper as well as the rug. It was an ordinary room but what surprised me was the television set, directly set up so she could sit in her leopard bed and watch countless hours of television.
           I offered we play a game; she just gave me a bored look. She suggested turning the television set on and I said after we played a game. We played a five-minute game and right before she was about to win the game of Candly Land she cleaned up the game and pushed the televisionâÂÂs on button. I sat on the leopard rug, afraid of the person she was to become and angry with her parents. A seven year old doesnâÂÂt need and shouldnâÂÂt have a television in their room. Sure, it makes life easier for a babysitter but communication is a necessary skill. We conversed but not nearly as much as we would have if the television werenâÂÂt on.
           I ended up reading her a book before she went to bed, but I realized the damage that televisions could have on children. Before the television was shut off Lia had a glazed expression on her face, just staring at the screen. I canâÂÂt explain the expression but it was as if she had seen a ghost, it was a delayed look.
When I was her age, in second grade, I asked my mom if I could have a television in my room just like Miranda. Miranda told me that she watched television in her room and when she got bored she sat for hours watching. I was jealous, sitting there sounded great! One time Miranda told me that one day she sat in her room all day watching television (not speaking to anyone). Tomorrow I am going to babysit Lia again, and I think I will casually bring up my Miranda story.