WWYD...computer monitor viewing

surpriseaddition · July 2013

So I wake up at 8am today....yes 8am, and look over to see that LO is missing. So is DH. She never leaves in the morning before BF. I then hear happy cooing from downstairs. I call from the landing and DH tells me he wanted me to be able to sleep, so he was entertaining her by reading the sports page aloud to her. He said she was really happy and fixed on the screen the whole time. I've told DH that LO shouldn't watch TV, but he said he was reading to her....which was true since I heard him. What are your thoughts? I loved the extra sleep, and it was a really nice gesture, but would you continue to let your DH expose your LO to a computer monitor? We have 2 older kids (15 & 12) so needless to say he can and does do way more with them. I want him to also bond with LO but there is so little she can do at this point. Reading baby books the third time around does get boring....I must admit! We don't get the regular paper or sports magazines.

jayro10 · July 2013

I wouldn't worry too much, as long as it doesn't become a habit. Our LO will sometimes catch sight of the tv if it's on, especially at night. She stares at it (from across the room) but I think it's just because she sees the light from it. I don't think it's a big deal because it's very brief that she pays attention to it, and it's not like I'm propping her up in front of it to watch cartoons.

Reading the sports page aloud sounds like a funny, cute dad thing to do Wink

MOMama987 · July 2013

jayro10:
I wouldn't worry too much, as long as it doesn't become a habit. Our LO will sometimes catch sight of the tv if it's on, especially at night. She stares at it from across the room but I think it's just because she sees the light from it. I don't think it's a big deal because it's very brief that she pays attention to it, and it's not like I'm propping her up in front of it to watch cartoons. Reading the sports page aloud sounds like a funny, cute dad thing to donbsp;[;]

Agreed. My H was watching cartoons with LO on his phone the other day. I think it's fine.

Eta... it was brief, and isn't a regular thing.

mommatotwo2 · July 2013

beaubecca:
Personally I think your hubby was being very sweet. I would thank him instead of worrying!

For real, oh my gosh! I would never have scolded him for that. But then I could care less if my kids watch tv. My five year old didn't watch when she was a baby really, but she started watching when she was about 18 months, always educational shows like sesame street, etc. and she is a smart and happy little girl. I don't see anything wrong with children watching tv, as long as they are doing other things as well. With DD2, we've got the tv on often and I'm often holding her while I'm on the computer. We also have a Kindle Fire and I read to both girls from it all the time. The world is changing, one day we won't even have paper books!

Spapeggy · July 2013

I would never complain about this. What a sweet hubby and dad. No big deal at all. I'm sure your baby will not turn into a tv zombie; as long as its not hours a day. Even if its 20 min a day it won't harm them. Let him bond

pnutg · July 2013

Spapeggy:
I would never complain about this. What a sweet hubby and dad. No big deal at all. I'm sure your baby will not turn into a tv zombie; as long as its not hours a day. Even if its 20 min a day it won't harm them. Let him bond

Ditto

Beachy730 · July 2013

surpriseaddition · July 2013

I definitely didn't scold him! I thanked him for the nice gesture of letting me sleep in. I agree we live in a different time...that's why we don't have a newspaper or magazine that DH could read instead. I just have read about potential vision issues if really young babies watch TV. I am glad everyone agrees its OK so I won't feel guilty if he keeps doing it. Thanks!