Go do something else while the parade is on if it is so bad.
I love the parade. For the Atlanta games, I watch with my mom, her in NJ, me in Georgia. I normally have large phone bills during the Olympics. Even for the Italian one I think my bill was for 2 hours.
It great trying to remember where all these countries are and if the commentary is good, it can be quite educational. Get the kid down with a map or atlas. Its better than sitting in a classroom.