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?
Re: Babies and electronics
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!
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.
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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.
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.
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