Screen time

MommyMelRN

After reading AB4's post below, and having just got done with a FaceTime session with my parents, I started to think.  Would you count FaceTime, Skype and the like as screen time?

We are in TX and none of my family or friends are here, there is no way in heck I would give it up, nor would I deny our family seeing Gabe over video chat, I was just wondering what you all thought. 

sdlaura

We do FaceTime frequently too and I have no concerns about LO's development because of it.  All our family is 3000 miles away and it's awesome to see DD respond to her grandparents' faces with smiles.

pixieprincss

Eh, yes it is screen time But, having a relatively stationary person there doing personal communication is way, way different than the flashing images of TV, sensory-overlaoding sounds, advertising targeted even to babies, huge amount of negative messages, etc. We are not TV people and don't even have operational televisions, so I am all on-board with zero screen time, but I think what you are describing sounds like a wonderful addition to you family life.

(P.S. not what you asked, but Buy, Buy, Baby and Nurture Shock are two books that will totally creep you out of TV if you are on the fence about that kind of screen-time for babies.)

rp-chicago-mom

I'm probably on the extreme end. LO gets no screen time from us that he can see. I use my iPhone when he's nursing sometimes or napping in my arms but never so he can see. We don't watch television when he's up and if it's on at other people's homes I don't ask them to turn it off or anything but I do try to bring him in the other room.

That said, if face time is a way for ling distance family to see LO, I think it's totally ok. It's not like you're parking LO in front of caillou and eating bonbons.

ETA: I only nurse with my phone when I don't want him to engage like his final feeding and his MOTN feeding. I honestly think I would drop him or pass out if I didn't have my phone for that feeding!

Neener73

I don't count those as screen time because they are encouraging interaction with others.  We Skype with my mom.  She loves seeing DS and tries to get him to interact with her.  Obviously, he's still young at this point, but it will be a great way to develop a stronger relationship with Grandma since he'll only see her a couple of times a year.

klp28

I definitely wouldn't consider that screen time. We FaceTime often with our family that lives out of state and my toddler totally interacts with her relatives that way. Much different than watching TV, IMO.

That said, I've become admittedly probably too lax about screen time since DS was born. DD watches an episode of sesame street probably 4 days per week. And honestly I'd let her more just for the moments of peace if I didn't feel so guilty.

MommyMelRN

pixieprincss:

Eh, yes it is screen time But, having a relatively stationary person there doing personal communication is way, way different than the flashing images of TV, sensory-overlaoding sounds, advertising targeted even to babies, huge amount of negative messages, etc. We are not TV people and don't even have operational televisions, so I am all on-board with zero screen time, but I think what you are describing sounds like a wonderful addition to you family life.

(P.S. not what you asked, but Buy, Buy, Baby and Nurture Shock are two books that will totally creep you out of TV if you are on the fence about that kind of screen-time for babies.)

Ooh...we are really working on limiting screen time, this might actually be helpful.  We managed to have the tv off except for football and 1/2 hour before DH and I go to bed (DS is sleeping) all week, it's been nice.  DH even likes how quiet it is in the house...yet he's the one who will come in and turn on the tv every day! 

I guess the biggest problem is that DH & I didn't really talk about this before Gabe was born.  He gasped in shock when I told him the recommendation! 

Baby steps, baby steps. 

Mrs_Bennett

pixieprincss:

Eh, yes it is screen time But, having a relatively stationary person there doing personal communication is way, way different than the flashing images of TV, sensory-overlaoding sounds, advertising targeted even to babies, huge amount of negative messages, etc.

This.  I don't think watching your family members via a computer screen for a few minutes is going to hurt your LO--"meeting" family is more beneficial, IMO.  We avoid all screen time for DS2 (and DS1 rarely has any), but I don't think I would hesitate to skype with them if we had family far away,