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North Carolina Babies
Your TV "Rules"
I was just curious about what other people do regarding TV and their DC. I know some people have strict rules about no TV at all until 2, including the TV not even being on. But this isn't really realistic for us. So what I did (I am a SAH) is when Will was about 7/8 months I decided to not have the TV on all day long (which is easy to do when you are home all day!). Now I do have Baby Einstein on for about 30 minutes in the morning while he drinks his bottle and then I will watch a show from 9-10 and then we turn the TV off and don't have it on again until DH gets home around 530/6...... In the evening DH is watching what he wants and we don't have any "kids" shows on that would interest Will. I was just curious what you ladies do and I am sure it will depend on the age of you DC as well.
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Re: Your TV "Rules"
On a typical day, Maddie watches Jack's Big Music Show at 8:30, and then a DVR'd Yo Gabba Gabba around 5:00, when she is typically pretty fussy/whiny.
She doesn't watch tv every day, b/c some days we're just too busy, but if we're home that's what she watches. I also have the tv on sometimes to watch my shows, but she generally only glances at the tv if a commercial with a catchy jingle or a dog is on. On the weekends, the tv is almost always on, but we do turn it off if she stops playing to watch it.
If she's sick/lethargic and just wants to sit in my lap all day, she watches more. We pretty much go back and forth between the living room to watch Nick Jr and her bedroom to read books all day.
I have no problem with tv in moderation. She almost never watches tv alone, I am generally sitting with her and continue to interact with her during the shows. As long as she is playing enough and reading enough during the day, she can watch tv too if she wants.
During the week, Nate watches a little at the babysitter's house. She usually turns on Elmo or Jack's Big Music Show when I drop him off, so that he won't cry when I leave. Sometimes when I pick him up, her daughters are watching Disney, but he's not usually watching it. Other than that, we try not to turn the TV on during the week while he's home. If I'm really tired/grumpy and home alone and I'm trying to make dinner, I might turn on an episode of Jack's for 20 mins while I make dinner.
During the weekends, I try not to turn on the TV at all while Nate is up. If DH gets up with him in the AM, he'll watch an episode of Jack's with him while he (DH) drinks his coffee and Nate has his milk. But other than that we try not to watch it at all.
Our pediatrician told us absolutely no TV and the AAP statement says no TV until 2, so we're trying really hard to limit it as much as possible. Kid's shows definitely suck Nate in and if he watches a show, he gets mad when we turn the TV off. I hate that, so I prefer not to even turn it on at all.
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We're also on the TV in moderation boat. Natalie occassionally will watch Pinky Dinky Doo or Oliva or something like that but it usually only holds her attention for about 10-15 min at most. Then she's off reading her books or playing with her dolls. She does "ask" to watch some of her Einstein or Disney movies which we'll put in for her but again it doesn't hold her attention longer than 15 min. We rarely have the TV to watch a non-child show when she's up. If so it's on Saturday/Sunday when either football is on or I put on a home improvement show for a little while but she doesn't pay any attention.
Now home movies is another story -- she could watch those for hours it seems like.
We don't let Nolan watch any television at all right now. If I need background noise when I'm home, I just turn on the radio and we listen to music. He's pretty good at entertaining himself with his toys or hanging out in his jumperoo if I need to make dinner or something.
DH and I just DVR the shows we want to see and watch them after Nolan has gone to bed at night.
Catching up on sports news...
This is us right now too. The only exception has been some football, DH just can't turn it off, Allan is usually doing something else while it's on though!
I think I'm the minority on this board. I'm a SAHM, and when I'm home, the TV is usually on (sometimes w/ cartoons/kids educational stuff, and sometimes talk shows/my shows).
DD does sometimes watch, but I do make sure she's not glued to it. Most of the time, she's preoccupied with her toys. I think having it on as background noise keeps me sane when I'm home. And I think as long as DD remains active, plays with toys, and doesn't watch much, it's not hurting her to have it on in the background.
I grew up around a lot of TV, but I was expected to play outside/with friends/with toys and couldn't sit and watch much. I think I turned out okay - lol!
I don't have it on at all during the day when I SAH with them. We only watch it after they go to bed. We listen to the radio a lot for background noise (my DD can identify some songs by a few notes now - it is kind of crazy).
Now that Kylie is older we do let her watch and episode of Care Bears when Caroline is napping or sometimes as a special treat, we will watch a short movie together after Caroline goes to bed or let her stay up 30 minutes late to watch a special.
This for us, too!
I have turned on Nick Jr, or something specifically for her, probably 5 or 6 times ever. She's always interested for a few minutes, then loses interest. We watch the news, and usually a DVR'd show in the evenings after dinner while we're all playing together. On the weekends it is often on if we're home, more for background noise usually. A lot of times we play in our front room or her bedroom, where there is no TV. And of course, all day when she's in DC, there is no TV on.
Eh, I dunno. I don't plop her down in front of it for hours at a time (nor do I ever plan to), but her being exposed to TV is just not something I get especially worked up about.