To TV or not to TV...that is my question:)

rdbanks

...or maybe not a question, exactly, rather, I'm wondering your guys views on allowing your LO to "watch" TV.

I find this can be a touchy/controversial subject. I realized the other day that my mom friends don't talk about it.

Before I had my DS, I swore I wouldn't be that mom that plunks her baby down infront of the tv. And I've pretty much kept true to that, though ill be the first to admit that I have resorted to some weird baby shows when nothing else seemed to work with DS and I really needed to get something done. But I really try to keep the tv off when DS is around. God knows he'll probably be glued to it later on on life:)

I know parents are all over the spectrum on this one...my cousin's wife uses the tv as a babysitter (her kids are older), and my SIL has never let her kids watch tv. I'm pretty sure they actually don't own a tv.

So where are on this one? No judging, I'm just genuinely curious:)

jllmb79

When DD#1 was a baby I watched TV a lot while cuddling up with her. When she started to pay attention to the TV I tried to limit my TV viewing. 

Now that DD#1 is 2 yrs old she watches normally 2  30 min shows per day so DD#2 who is 7 month old does as well.

LisaLisa1980

DS is not allowed any TV until he's at LEAST one, but I will avoid it a much as possible. We don't have the TV on anyways so it's not hard to do

PhieryBFly

My DD is allowed a half hour of football on weekend days so she can hang out with dad!

monalua

I am am definitely not opposed to TV. My 3 year old watches a lot now, especially when I'm trying to get the baby down for nap. He didn't really start watching it until age 2 though. I am not a big fan of tv for babies. I've read the studies about how it can be detrimental to them - their brain development, attention spans, etc.. I wore my son in the Ergo or mei tai when I needed to get things done and do the same thing with my baby now.

stephrodgers07

We usually have the TV on at home but he just isn't that intrigued by it. He's not a chill baby at all. I'd imagine more laid back babies actually watch it. I take him to work with me and sometimes let him watch the "busy beavers" on YouTube. Basically colors and objects, but again 2_minutes pass and he's over it.

If he were interested I'd probably make sure to do other things first before watching TV as an activity.

erinmc1

I only let him watch maybe once every couple weeks, although he's completely fascinated by it. We Skype with his dad about 3 times a week though, so he gets screen time, and I'm pretty sure he thinks the tv is interactive.

SidraJedi

No tv under 2 for us over here. We actually don't own a tv so I actually mean no Netflix under 2
JFF my reasons are common sense, research and parenting style. Tv isn't going to hurt my child's quality of life in the long run so if others want to do it after consideration I won't judge, but I'd just rather not use tv in our house anyway.

MrsWindyCity

DS1 didn't watch TV until about 2 and still rarely does. I wouldn't mind letting him watch it now (he's 3.5) but he almost never asks and he's at school all day, so we don't even keep the TV on during the week while he's awake.

DS2 definitely doesn't watch TV. There's just no reason. Again, he's in daycare and we keep the TV off until they are in bed. On the weekends, we do stuff. If the TV is on during the weekend (which recently started  happening because of football), DS2 and I just play in a different room.

VPGIRL06

I have TV on during morning cuddles. She glances but doesn't seem interested. If she was a baby who had to watch it if it was on I would make a bigger effort to not have it on but she might watch it for 10 seconds then does something else. We watch videos of herself on my phone which she's far more interested in LOL

Crequito

My pedi is a stickler for no tv.  He says DD shouldn't even be in the room if the tv is on.  Well, what he doesn't know won't kill him.  Sometimes DD is in the room but can't see the tv from her PnP or her floor mat.  And on Sundays when DHs friends come over to watch football she might catch some of the games - we joke that since she's hearing/seeing their reactions to different plays that she'll wind up like the little girl in Remember the Titans shouting and stomping around for her team!

Do what feels right to you.  I don't sit DD in front of the tv often and if I do need to put something on to keep her occupied while I do the dishes I put on one of the music channels.

tiffwedd

I'm in the not opposed to TV camp.  My boys really like music and dancing so there are a couple of PBS shows that we have on the morning but they are so busy they rarely pay attention.  As they get older we will definitely limit TV time.

athomas2424

sorry but i guess i'll be the only one to admit i plop my LO in front the tv all the time (esp if i need to do something since tv is the only thing that will keep him content).  i watched tv lots as a kid and my older DD watched all the time and is well advanced for her age and i graduated 3rd in my class.  i really dont see the harm in it.  i do not judge if you dont allow tv though, to each their own, bothers me none ;-)

rdbanks

Yay! Thanks for admitting it, athomas2424. I think some people get very freaked out at the very thought. Though my LO doesn't see much tv (he's really not very interested, anyway), I am certain it won't impare his brain:) We loved our Saturday morning cartoons when I was a kid, and I turned out jusssssst fine (cough);)

MrsRKJ

I let DS watch one half hour episode of Clifford a day.  He loves it!

LindseyLooMagoo

Our tv is on when my son is in the room.. I know its a huge issue for some people but being born in the early 80s I know darn well we watched tv or at least where in the same room as the tv and I turned out fine so did everyone else I know.. Guess it's your call

pinottoparenthood

I'm pretty anti-tv, it's off when I am playing with DS. Occasionally we have football on during the weekend, but i try to keep him away from it as much as possible

Shelly038

We have the tv on very often.  However, DD is rarely watching it.  We'll have a "grown up" show on and she'll play independently on the floor.  Occasionally we'll have cartoons on but she rarely watches that as well.

dkny155

My daughter is a little over 6 months and she loves mickey mouse clubhouse. It is the only show she watches and is really interested in. She usually watches it while I make dinner. I tape them on my dvr so when I need to do something like shower, throw in laundry or make dinner she is occupied. As soon as she hears mickeys voice she lights up its so cute!

capstone52501

Our TV is on 24/7 more for noise than anything.   He is where he can see the TV when he is on the floor playing which is 80% of the time, I have yet to see him ever watch it.  He is far too busy playing.  Now I have noticed that when my husband is holding him and he stops in front of the TV for a moment he does watch it.

We had the TV on 24/7 with our first daughter, she is 11 and still doesn't just sit and watch it for hours on end.   She is homeschooled so during our school year she spends most of her time in her room doing her work.

It is each parents decision, and nobody but you and your spouse can make this decision.

singingsea

LOL mine watches Jeopardy with his dad.

I'm not for letting your child sit in front of the tv all day but I think some exposure is harmless. When I do turn it on I try to keep it on something educational. I basically resort to tv when the weather is crappy and all else has failed.

I think moderation is the key. My parents would kick us outside in the summer and tell us not to come home till dinner time. Ah the 90's

mhickey426

My dd isn't really interested in tv.  She might look for a few seconds and then gets bored.  I have no problem letting her watch tv but I will monitor what she watches.  The only shows that seem to peak her interest is shows with animals so I have no problem with her watching that.