SpongeBob Lessons

Things to do.  Limited energy.  You know what I mean. Anyway, the result – my children watch way too much television. The television is convenient.  The children are quiet.  I know, I know they are not chiseling out my bust for the parent hall of fame.

Two weeks ago I mentioned to you about my son’s obsession with Mickey Mouse (Mickey-mouse-questions-and-thoughts) and how it has filtered down to me. I still have some unanswered questions on that front, but I am moving on.  Today, I come to you to praise one of the regulars of my children’s television watching. SpongeBob.

Courtesy of Google.com

Courtesy of Google.com

That’s right I like SpongeBob. Not only do I like him, I think he is a good role model. Let me run down a list of his positive traits.

WORK ETHIC: – Who wouldn’t want their child to have a work ethic similar to Sponge Bob’s? He is punctual. Once SpongeBob arrived late at work. He felt so bad that he started sleeping at The Krusty Krab.  On top of that, he is ambitious. When Mr. Krabs was going to open up a new store, SpongeBob was eager for the promotion. When Squidward got the job, SpongeBob was crushed.

FRIENDLY: SpongeBob is even nice to Squidward despite the fact that this friendship is rarely returned. There was an episode where Squidward was being bullied. SpongeBob insisted Sandy Cheeks teach Squidward karate. Of course, SpongeBob is always there for Patrick. In one episode, Patrick’s parents come for a visit.  Patrick is worried because his parents think he is dumb. So, SpongeBob pretends to be a moron to make Patrick look good.

LOYAL: SpongeBob will do just about anything for Mr. Krabs. In one episode, Pearl, Mr. Krab’s teenage daughter, insists on having a sleepover. Mr. Krabs vacates the house, but he is worried about leaving her alone. So, Mr. Krabs asks SpongeBob to check on the sleepover. SpongeBob does so and in many different guises – including as the pizza delivery guy.

PERSISTENCE: SpongeBob wants to learn how to drive a boat. Unfortunately, he has repeatedly failed his driver’s exam. Instead of giving up, he continues to take driver’s education classes.

RESPECT FOR TEACHERS: (You knew I had to throw this one in there.) Ms. Puff is SpongeBob’s driver’s education teacher. One day Ms. Puff was absent from class and SpongeBob was so disappointed. In addition, whenever Ms. Puff needs something, SpongeBob is happy to oblige.

HUMILITY: SpongeBob was working as a stand-up comedian and bombing. So, he started making fun of squirrels and the crowd loved it. Well, Sandy Cheeks, SpongeBob’s squirrel friend did not like it as others in Bikini Bottom started looking at her differently. So, SpongeBob fights his desire for popularity and instead starts making fun of himself (and everyone else).

Yes, I know SpongeBob can be an idiot and has an annoying laugh.  However, honestly now, tell me aren’t these qualities you respect in others and want for your children? I know I would like to see my children exhibit these qualities. So, though I feel guilty for being busy and turning the television into a babysitter, I feel a little less bad when my children are watching SpongeBob – a real role model.

P.S. You should know that 99% of this was written based on my viewing of the show and 1% was researched to refresh my memory. I tell you this so you should judge me. Go ahead! I can take it.

46 thoughts on “SpongeBob Lessons

  1. Ah yes, memories of excessive sponge bob watching. I even saw the sponge bob movie in the theatre with Gil while Howard and Rachel saw National Treasure! I must say it has been a few years since I have tuned in and honestly I don’t miss it, but I agree, he is a good guy!!

    • I have a feeling I won’t miss him either. However, I’ll enjoy him for now
      Anyway, I am curious about the movie you mentioned.

  2. I love Spongebob!! I want to go jelly fishing with him! And I totally agree, he teaches some very valuable lessons! When there is nothing else on, Mr. T and I will always stop on an episode of SB…which apparently can be found almost 24/7.

    • Jelly fishing with him – you are funny. Did you see the one where he leaves Bikini Bottom and wants to return to his roots? He doesn’t last too long out there.
      I am glad you are with me on the lessons he teaches.

  3. Hahahaha!!! I love SB!!

    Funny SB related story – my brother, Greg, was in the army (at the time, single, never married, no kids). He attended training at a different location than he was assigned to. When they formed up for the march to the classrooms, the leader started out the march with: Who lives in a pineapple under the sea?

    Greg thought: What the heck?

    When everyone responded (except for Greg): SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS!

    Greg spent the rest of the cadence thoroughly confused and dumbfounded that a bunch of adults knew the screwy words!

    • Great story. I think pre-kids I would have been like Greg.
      I am glad I have company meaning that other adults like SpongeBob.

  4. I love that you wrote a whole post on Spongebob. I, too, think Spongebob is hilarious….and I’m a grown-up. The writers do a fantastic job. I think, of all the cartoons (past and present) Spongebob is my favorite. I totally won’t judge you. Hey, I play ukelele and sing spongebob songs.

    • You play SpongeBob on your ukelele – that’s awesome!
      I did not really mention this but I do laugh at the show also.

  5. My girls & I love Spongebob! Thanks for the lessons, now I don’t have to feel guilty letting my girls watch Spongebob everyday 🙂

  6. I couldn’t possibly comment as I’ve never watched it. Oh okay then, just the one. Does anyone in the show have a normal name apart from Patrick? 😉 SpongeBob sounds very commendable, don’t beat yourself up about the kids watching the show.

  7. My husband loves spongebob, I have never really watched it so can’t really comment, but it sounds like he is a good dude 🙂

  8. ha!ha! I love how much you enjoy SpongeBob, I’ve seen this a couple of times on TV, but I have never payed too much attention to it! Now I will 🙂 ha!ha! Hope you have a great weekend!

  9. I used to see a lot of SpongeBob when my son was small, but I haven’t in a few years. Now I am a little more attached to Gumball. Have you seen it?

    This is just sad. Adults who once had interests and intellects, reduced to babbling about cartoons.

    Do you have a favorite Backyardigan episode? I’ll tell you about mine if you tell me about yours.

    • I am not familiar with gumball. Tell me about it.
      Backyardigans was one of my favorites. I like that they don’t always follow the same format. You know like Dora is essentially the same episode over and over again – uggh hated that show. Anyway, I don’t know if I have a favorite episode. It’s the music that struck me more about that show. I’ll have to think about a favorite episode.

      • It’s called The Amazing World of Gumball and at first it seemed sort of smart alec-ey, but it’s quite clever and amusing. I enjoy it just as much as the kids do.

        As far as Backyardigans, I liked Mission to Mars with Alicia Keys. But my fave might be Who Goes There, when Tyrone is a security guard for the Louvre.

        • What channel is it on?
          I am not sure of those episodes.I did likeone where one of themis a newspaper delivery guy. I also liked one where they reenact the three little pigs.

          • It comes on Cartoon Network.

            Your episodes don’t sound familiar to me at all either. I think we must have watched Backyardigans in different eras!

  10. We run with a conservative Christian crowd, and most of our friends don’t let their kids watch Spongebob. But I feel the same as you! The dear yellow sponge has a good work ethic and a great attitude towards life. We’ve been watching it since before the kids were born and I am not ashamed to admit it. 🙂

    Spongebob away, brother!

  11. Okay, here’s what I’m wondering…do you watch this with your kids or alone??? If you watch this with your kids I commend you! My kids love cartoons and as much as I would love for us all to gather around and watch tv together I just can’t get into cartoons. Now if you’re just watching this by yourself after the kids go to bed or something…well, that is hilarious!!
    Okay, actually there is ONE cartoon I love that kids watch a lot now that we have NetFlix. It’s called Bobby’s World. The creator is Howie Mandel (the host of Deal or No Deal). Anyway, I somehow manage to get sucked into that somehow because they talk with a Canadian accent that is absolutely hilarious! I have found myself still watching this one even when all of the kids leave the room!

    • I watch with my kids. I do sometimes request that they put it on and have watched a few minutes here and there on my own.
      Bobby’s World – hmmm. I don’t know that one. What channel is it on?

      • We get it on Netflix. I think it was from the 90’s. I didn’t know about it either until just a few months ago. I think it is definitely one of those underground cartoons that didn’t get the publicity it deserved!

  12. Jake will watch Sponge Bob when I’m not in the room as his laugh drives me crazy. And the sad thing is, I’ve seen every one of those episodes that you mentioned and I can even think of a few more to make your case. Just wait til your boys discover Johnny Test or The Regular Show. It just gets worse …

  13. I have never seen Sponge Bob. I can’t get past the look of him. Since we don’t have cable, my children are relegated to Disney movies on DVD and yes, VHS. (Hey, if they still work!) But I fully get the “lots to do, low energy, turn on the tube” mentality! Guilty!

    • The look of him – what’s wrong with how he looks?
      Nothing wrong being relegated to Disney movies. It’s not quite a Turkish prison.

  14. Hi,

    I don’t receive SpongeBob here in Germany but it sounds like a great program for children and adults. I enjoyed reading about what it has to offer and I love the character traits that you pointed out.

    Thanks. This article was very informative for me.

    Ciao,
    Patricia

  15. Philosophy and morals can be learned from a variety of different places. I enjoyed the synopsis of family values that you extricated from the television show, “Sponge Bob, Square Pants.”

    Thank you.

  16. I can honestly say I’ve never seen an episode of SpongeBob and I had no idea what I was missing. This should be a sponsored post! Judge you? No way, I think it’s awesome you’ve actually seen the shows your kids watch!

    • Wow! Really? Is it a boy thing?
      Sponsored post – does that mean I get paid for it? I would love to learn how to get those.
      I am one of those people who find it hard to totally space out. And therefore, I sometimes get sucked in.

  17. I read this post on my iphone instead of paying attention at work. Doesn’t happen often, but then again who gets to read an editorial composition on the virtues of Sponge Bob? Awesome creativity and thanks for helping me escape the day, if for a moment.

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