Remote controls have changed signigicantly in my lifetime. Plus there are remote controls for practically everything; tv's, dvd players, music players, my car radio! to name a few. My children will never know what it's like to not have a remote for everything electronic (by the way, one of Anne's first 10 words was "mote". I think maybe we use it quite a bit and she saw it as an extension to my right hand).
While talking to my sister Gretchen today, she reminded me what it was like growing up in the early 70's without a remote. Imagine the scene: I'm playing in the living room (either I was playing my Olivia Newton John record or my hand - held asteroids game) when I would hear my mother call out,
"Becca" . . ."Baby Bec."
"Yes" I would answer.
"Could you come here?"
"Sure".
I walk into the room to see my mom lounging on our black pleather couch (another story about napping on that couch at a different time). "Could you please change the channel to NBC?"
"Okay" I change it, but before I'm out of the room, she changes her mind for CBS then ABC (not sure if cable had made it to the country yet).
Awhile later, still dancing to Olivia Newton John, "Bec, could you come here for a minute?"
"Do you want me to change the channel AGAIN?"
Hesitation in the family room, then "I'll get you a surprise "
"Oh, I know what that means, it's a kiss" (what I wouldn't do for one of those everyday).
More hesitation from the family room.
"No, not a kiss. I'll get you a push-up" This is before the dollar store existed and she couldn't bribe us like she bribes our children.
I always would give in and stop dancing to change the channel for my mom. But, was very happy that I could dance to O.N.J. without interruption after the arrival of the first remote.

FYI - the push up was also used to bribe us to go to the dump with her as well.

As I'm writing this, I'm mentally counting how many remotes we have in the house, hmmm??? ...9. This is one reason I dread having a babysitter come over, the explanation is tiring.