Comment from a relative

amaite

Babies who don't get screen time grow up to be social morons.

And she knows this is true because she knows a young man whose parents did not allow him screen time as a baby, and he is now what she describes as a "social moron". And her 3 and 5 year old granddaughters have had lots of tv time since they were babies and are both quite social now.

Ok.

amaite

LiliDragon said:

"...and how much screen time would you say you had as a child?" Then emphatically raise your eyebrows. DONE!

Ha! That was pretty much my response, but apparently her family got a tv 2 years before she was born, and she says she did get screen time as a baby. So, even though lots of other rude comments were dancing in my mind, I just left it at that.

jodegaard

"Social moron." Does she mean someone who is socially awkward?? 

I would have had so many snarkastic things to say to her.

rp-chicago-mom

jodegaard said:

"Social moron." Does she mean someone who is socially awkward?? 

I would have had so many snarkastic things to say to her.

Me too. Howell gets no screen time and he's the biggest social butterfly ever. It's embarrassing really.

Was this in response to a choice you've made for your family or did it just come up in conversation?

SpruceGrouse

I guess the whole world population were social morons before the invention of tv. What a strange comment!

amaite

jodegaard said:

"Social moron." Does she mean someone who is socially awkward?? 

I would have had so many snarkastic things to say to her.

Probably, but I didn't ask.

jodegaard

Baker_Bride said:

jodegaard said:

"Social moron." Does she mean someone who is socially awkward?? 

I would have had so many snarkastic things to say to her.

Me too. Howell gets no screen time and he's the biggest social butterfly ever. It's embarrassing really.

Was this in response to a choice you've made for your family or did it just come up in conversation?

Yes! James too! Hasn't watched TV at all and he wants to "talk" to everyone he sees.

amaite

Baker_Bride said:

jodegaard said:

"Social moron." Does she mean someone who is socially awkward?? 

I would have had so many snarkastic things to say to her.

Me too. Howell gets no screen time and he's the biggest social butterfly ever. It's embarrassing really.

Was this in response to a choice you've made for your family or did it just come up in conversation?

It's because ds doesn't watch tv.

rp-chicago-mom

amaite said:

Baker_Bride said:

jodegaard said:

"Social moron." Does she mean someone who is socially awkward?? 

I would have had so many snarkastic things to say to her.

Me too. Howell gets no screen time and he's the biggest social butterfly ever. It's embarrassing really.

Was this in response to a choice you've made for your family or did it just come up in conversation?

It's because ds doesn't watch tv.

Well, that's just plain rude. Maybe she should have watched more television. She might have known you don't correct people's parenting choices.

allardr

sarzer121 said:

I feel like that is a conflicting statement.... as one would think that those with lots of screen time would have less social interactions than those with limited or no screen time seeing as if they aren't watching tv they are most likely interacting with the three dimensional world through toys and human interaction. We limit screen time and Samantha may be the biggest flirt I've ever met. Sometimes people say things that make you go hmmmm....

I think maybe not so conflicting as kids get older. My siblings and I could watch TV whenever but because of that freedom it was more background noise to play if it was on at all. My cousins weren't allowed it at home so when they came to "play" they were glued to it. So in that case less screen time didn't mean more social.

Having said that, her statement is crazy for babies. My LO watches teh occasional few innings of the Red Sox when I'm dying to watch it but nothing more

DoctorsWifey

To the best of my knowledge there have been no conclusive studies that show tv/screen time is beneficial for babies. At the age of 3 (I believe) it can aide in counting, if it is an educational type show. But a parent reading and teaching their child is far more beneficial than any tv/computer game/show could ever be. 

My child does not and will not watch tv, she has never seen a cartoon in her 13 months and it will stay that way. I still manage to cook 3 meals, keep a very clean house, shower daily, laundry ect and never have to turn on cartoons to get those done. So, it is possible...but many people like to take the easy route and occupy their kids with a tv as babysitter, no thanks! 

I probably would have said to her, "So.....clearly that didn't work out in your favor because you are a moron"