Babies and electronics

namara5532

Before DS was born, we were those parents who said we wouldn't let DS watch TV or computer until he was 2.  Well we found having the electronics in the house off all day to be unbearably boring, and he of course ends up looking at what we're doing.  I do my best to interact with him because I have a tendency to get sucked into the electronics, but we've given up on the idea of not having the TV on when he's in the room.  We don't encourage him to watch the screens, but it inevitably happens.  We're too addicted apparently to be willing to give it up.

What's everyone else doing in regards to babies and electronics?  Do you keep it all turned off when they're in the room?  Do you ever plop LO in front of the TV for a few?  Anyone else not encouraging it but just letting it happen?

megaloo27

I really don't care if she watches. Right now it is just the colors and sounds that attract her. We turned the screensaver on and she loved it. She likes watching us on our phones. We won't put limits on tv until she is old enough to have the desire to watch. Dh and I love to watch movies together and I can't wait to do it as a family! (I should add tht we don't have cable so we don't watch tv much during the day.) I think dh can't wait until she can play Mario with him, I am hopeless when it comes to video games! To each their own I guess. 

jodywelsh

The TV is always on at our house so he watches it when he is in the room. I will probably start having to pay attention to what I am watching soon though. I am sure Real Housewive marathons are not the best thing to have on all weekend!

Lhand11

The tv is always on. I keep telling myself it is going off as soon as he can become more interactive with toys and he can sit up. 

SoonToBeMsP

If it's just me and DD, no TV is on and there is usually music because she loves to dance. DH is a TV-aholic and so it's always on. I try and keep her entertained outside of the electronics, but it doesn't always happen... 

I don't really ever use my phone or computer while playing with her. In fact, I only use my phone when feeding her. 

raefre

DH plays videos on youtube for LO. I play video games with him on my lap. I read to him what I'm reading about (last night was about weregild). When we watch TV, he sits on our lap, sometimes facing us but sometimes facing the screen.  I like the background noise, so its on when I'm alone with DS. No we don't plop him in front of the tv though.

beccajanedowning

I have it on while she is nursing, but don't let her watch it. It's harder to keep her from watching when DH is home. He works for a TV station so always has it on.

lukalover

I face her away from the TV either on me or in the RNP.

talitha712

We rarely have the TV on but when we do we make sure DD is facing away from it.  Same thing if one of us is using the computer while she is awake.

Huahine

talitha712:

We rarely have the TV on but when we do we make sure DD is facing away from it.  Same thing if one of us is using the computer while she is awake.

This, and if he is in his Jumperoo, which is in the same room as our recockulously large TV, while DH is watching sports, then I set up two chairs and drape blanket between them to cut off his line of sight.   

After reading some of the studies and white papers on screen time and children we are doing what we can to limit his exposure to it.

kms34

We have the tv on all the time.  DS1 was super into the tv around 3-6 months.  He loved watching the colors.  He outgrew it and didn't pay much attention to the tv until just recently.  Even now he'll want to watch something (Mickey Mouse, Sesame Street, Super WHy, etc) but it only lasts about 10-15 minutes.  He's too busy playing to focus longer than that.

IMO, keeping kids away from stuff like that until they are a certain age can backfire and create an unhealthy interest.  DS1 grew up with the tv on so it's no big deal to him. 

CharlieTheUnicorn

I tons put her in front of the TV, but I also don't avoid it. There are 7 people in our family so there are always a few TVs and computers on. We haven't ever made a big deal out of media, and I think that's why my kids don't. 

CharlieTheUnicorn

I don't put her in front of the TV, but I also don't avoid it. There are 7 people in our family so there are always a few TVs and computers on. We haven't ever made a big deal out of media, and I think that's why my kids don't.