5 Reasons Why I Don't Mind Watching Toddler Cartoons...Occasionally

Doc tells it like it is. No insurance needed.

1. Full story in 15 minutes or Less

Because toddlers obviously have tiny attention spans, their cartoons pack an entire plot run in minimal time. There's no useless filler...just straight to the point action and dialogue. Doc McStuffins doesn't beat around the bush, perform body scans or MRI's, have any "will she or won't she" love interests in the clinic...she just tells it like it is. She diagnosed Sir Kirby's Dark Willies and cured him in the time it takes me to microwave popcorn!

2. Miss Something? No Problem

You can look away from a toddler cartoon for a couple minutes, and when you come back, pick up the storyline pretty easily. Mickey may have used a Mousekatool to get out of a jam, but he'll give you notice in a few more seconds on how many tools he's got left. If you miss a couple minutes of Game of Thrones, it's likely your favorite character just got assassinated or someone got naked...you know, major plot moments and stuff.

3. Life Lessons

Nearly every episode of a toddler cartoon is meant to teach something. You got the academic shapes, numbers, colors but you also have the moral lessons like sharing, caring and forgiveness. Sometimes it's good for adults to see these as a reminder of how you should act. Yeah, Captain Hook is being a lazy douche, trying to hypnotize Jake into doing Hook's work of finding treasure and all. Maybe I need to help my wife around the house...

Are these mice or chipmunks?

4. It's Funny Every Now and Then

I'll admit it: I have a pretty dry and dark sense of humor. I don't enjoy widely popular shows like Two and Half Men, Modern Family or The Big Bang Theory. But I can't help myself but grin a little when those little singing mice or chipmunks (my wife and I argue over their species) pop up on Sheriff Callie to reiterate an obvious point in bluegrass twang. And that robot-bird Merc on the new show Miles from Tomorrowland deserves his own damn spin-off sitcom...he's hilarious.

5. Because My Daughter Likes Watching It

Plain and simple. I'll sacrifice the first quarter of the Cavs game or a rerun of Seinfeld if my daughter and I can share some leisure and enjoyment. Seeing her smile and dance when the Hot Dog song comes on makes my night.

Disclaimer: My barely one-year-old daughter is not addicted to TV or any toddler cartoons. Most of the time, she watches the intro song and then moves onto hard, physical play time in the living room. She couldn't care less if Doc McStuffins got cancelled...though my wife and I might write Disney a strongly worded letter.