Kids Watch A Day of TV Each Week

Unplug from screentime and plug into the great outdoors through Scouting..

www.beAScout.org

I hear you Lauren. My five month old is like a divining rod for the TV. No matter where you place him on the floor, he seeks out a line of sight to the TV ... even if it is a couple rooms over. We try to incorporate it into his excercise time. So at least there is that benefit! And, of course, we try to keep the TV off as much as possible.

I'm a total hypocrite. I strictly control tv time and as soon as they're in bed I'm watching it . #1 son almost never watched tv til his brother was born... Then I allowed him an hour in the morning and hour late afternoon just so I could get through the day - but I felt guilty about it. Now they (3 - ages 5, 8, 10) almost never watch during the week b/c our juggle just doesn't leave time - but on Saturday morning they are up w/the sun begging for their cartoon time and I've finally caved.

I do wonder tho - my niece and nephew w/no tv controls and it's on constantly at their house - all read earlier than my kids and aren't as distracted or demanding of TV. Forbidden fruit and all that.

My daughter is 9 months old, and we've come up with a simple rule - NO TV. It's not that hard. My wife and I watch TV when she's asleep. I have a friend though who sticks her kid in front of the TV for 3-4 hrs a day, so she can do things like style her hair. Maybe it's just me but I think we can live with the burden of unkempt hair if it means our kids grow up to be well-adjusted and have attention spans that last longer than your average TV commercial.

Check out my blog if you ever get a chance, just started it, http://daddydaughterday.com

Maria -- had to laugh when I read about your niece and nephew. My 11 year old daughter is banned from watching TV at all during the week, has been since about third grade, in order to get her to focus on her homework. Consequently, she would spend all weekend watching the tube if given the chance, and is always wheedling for more tv time. And she is not getting all As, believe me, despite the ban. So maybe lots of TV actually makes kids smarter! Yeah, that's the ticket.

TV is the least of our worries. I've parked our daughter in front of Pixie Hollow (be glad you have a little boy). She'll play that for hours - it's Second Life for 5-year-olds. Pick a fairy, fly around and meet other fairies (and send them emotes instead of typing words) and the goal is to collect leaves and acorns and then spend them on clothes and new hair-dos. I have to admit, I've had to be on a few early morning calls with our Europe offices and have let her play and play.... she'll grow up to be a good little consumer.

My daughter is going on three and has watched virtually no TV or movies since she was born. When we've been at other people's homes where the TV is on showing a kids' show or movie, she shows no interest and heads for the toys instead. I've recently started to introduce her to Sesame Street in small, intermittent doses, largely because I don't want her to be completely out of the loop when she goes to preschool. The no TV rule definitely makes things more challenging for parents to "get things done." We are fortunate to be able to pay someone to come play with and care for our daughter between 10 and 20 hours a week (it varies). Otherwise, I use nap times and evenings and set her up with an activity if I need to do something (like an email or a phone call) that won't take more than, say 30 minutes. Since you asked for suggestions re: activities, here are a few that work for us: play doh, painting and coloring, puzzles, "reading" books, legos, and blocks. While not using the "electronic babysitter" may mean some sacrificing on our part, I think it's been worth it in terms of our daughter's development. She has many interests, can keep herself entertained for short stretches (she doesn't even get bored on long car trips - we're talking 8 hours), and is highly verbal. Maybe she would be this way even with lots of TV, but I doubt it. TV obviously encourages passivity.

My daughter is going on three and has watched virtually no TV or movies since she was born. When we've been at other people's homes where the TV is on showing a kids' show or movie, she shows no interest and heads for the toys instead. I've recently started to introduce her to Sesame Street in small, intermittent doses, largely because I don't want her to be completely out of the loop when she goes to preschool. The no TV rule definitely makes things more challenging for parents to "get things done." We are fortunate to be able to pay someone to come play with and care for our daughter between 10 and 20 hours a week (it varies). Otherwise, I use nap times and evenings and set her up with an activity if I need to do something (like an email or a phone call) that won't take more than, say 30 minutes. Since you asked for suggestions re: activities, here are a few that work for us: play doh, painting and coloring, puzzles, "reading" books, legos, and blocks. While not using the "electronic babysitter" may mean some sacrificing on our part, I think it's been worth it in terms of our daughter's development. She has many interests, can keep herself entertained for short stretches (she doesn't even get bored on long car trips - we're talking 8 hours), and is highly verbal. Maybe she would be this way even with lots of TV, but I doubt it. TV obviously encourages passivity.