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TV as a babysitter

NikisonNikison
in Austin Babies

On Saturday I had MIL come over to babysit while I went out with friends and DH worked. He and I got home around the same time to find our almost 4 month old strapped into her papasan, less than 3 feet from our television watching a movie while MIL read a book. I didn't say anything, mostly because I was in shock.

Now DH thinks we should get a television for her room! I know they say you shouldn't let children watch tv for the first two years...but admittedly I have no idea why. 

I don't know how to approach the subject, and I'm hesitant to have her babysit again. Am I overreacting?

 

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Re: TV as a babysitter

  • ali-1411ali-1411 member

    They say 'no tv before two' because supposedly their brains can't process the moving images on the tv.  It does something to their brain development.

    Layna didn't really watch any tv until 1 year.  I'd definitely have a problem with my 4 month old watching tv.  I wouldn't make a big issue out of it though, just ask MIL to not do that again.

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  • A&JmomA&Jmom

    Abby did not really have TV much before 1yo. But with J there was really no avoiding it.  I couldn't basically punish Abby because the baby is not allowed to watch TV.  So, yes he definitely watched TV earlier.  While not ideal, I do not think it is a big deal as long as it is not for long stretches of time.

    But saying that, yes I would be bothered by my child being strapped in and sat in front of the TV purposefully at only 4 months old.  Yikes!  Maybe I would not be upset if your MIL had been trying to get something done, clean up the kitchen etc (although even then I would not be thrilled), but to read a book, wow.  no, I would not be ok with that.  I would definitely say something. 

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  • balihaigirlbalihaigirl member

    imageA&Jmom:

    yes I would be bothered by my child being strapped in and sat in front of the TV purposefully at only 4 months old.  Yikes!  Maybe I would not be upset if your MIL had been trying to get something done, clean up the kitchen etc (although even then I would not be thrilled), but to read a book, wow.  no, I would not be ok with that.  I would definitely say something. 

    This.  

    My son has gotten exposed to TV at my brother/SILs house because their older kids watch TV.  It's ridiculous how addicted to the TV he is at such a young age.  We really have to redirect him to other things because if we let him, he would watch TV all day long.  He is constantly bringing us the remote, DVD cases, etc. as a sign he wants to watch TV and throws a fit when we tell him no.  IMO it's not healthy for children this young to be watching a lot of TV because they need to explore and learn from participating in activities and interacting with their surroundings.  I try to limit DSs TV watching to 30-min to 1 hr a day and it's hard because he loves to watch it.  IMO, I wouldn't expose your child to it until she is older.

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  • kiarox2002kiarox2002
    I would be really upset by this.  I still get annoyed when I go over to my parents' house with Kate and they have the TV on, though I think it's a losing battle as football season has started and my dad is an addict.  My parents don't understand why I don't want the TV on when Kate is around, but for the most part they respect it.  They certainly wouldn't put on a kids show for her.
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  • mcgeemcgee member

    A four month old should not be strapped into a bouncy seat and plopped in front of the TV.

    https://www.sovereignty.org.uk/features/eco/tvdanger.html

    https://news.cnet.com/8301-10784_3-9756504-7.html

     

    Is it possible that your baby fell asleep in the bouncy seat, and had just woken up? That's the only "excuse" I'd accept for this. At 4 months old, she's not mobile! MIL could have put a blanket on the floor, put baby on the blanket with some toys, and still been able to sit and read. 

    I'd pass the info along to MIL and tell her that you are not comfortable with her "entertaining" your child by plopping her in front of the television, especially at such a young age. I'd explain that if there's something she particularly wants to watch, you're fine with her having the TV on, as long as DD is either asleep or is on the floor with toys where she can move freely and play.

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  • ssincassinca
    our neighbor turned the TV on for her friend's two-week old twins.  Indifferent
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