TV Time?

13 years ago

How much time should the girls be allowed to watch tv? I try to keep them busy with other things and play time because I won't have the TV be a babysitter. Normally after breakfast while they are still waking up and getting dressed I let them watch a half hour of Dora the Explorer. Then at night when we are settling down for the night and before bedtime stories I let them watch another 1/2 hour.

During the day we play, color, play in sprinklers and have other things. I think an hour a day is plenty. They were so used to being parked in front of the tv that they are enjoying all the play time and attention they get.

Plus I have to say there is nothing better than planning all their little adventure and seeing how excited they are about the little things. Bless grandpa's heart spitting watermelon seeds are now their new favorite thing...well that at their little swimming pool.

They never were allowed to play outside so being outside is huge to them. I called our local furniture store and they have set aside two refrigerator boxes for us. I am going to pick them up tomorrow and this weekend they are going to make their own little forts out of them. I think it will be fun for them.

Now snacks and lunches are served in the play house!

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Comments (18)

lowspark
13 years ago
I haven't yet commented on your threads but I've been reading with great interest. I absolutely LOVE reading your posts and commend you on all that you are doing with these girls. I am in awe of you and congratulate you on your incredible kindness and care and love with these very lucky children!

Now, to comment on the TV time. An hour is plenty. IMO, TV is pretty much unnecessary for kids. Sesame Street and the like are good but too many cartoons and other (what I consider to be mindless) entertainment just turn kids into zombies.

When my kids were young they were in the habit of watching all the Saturday morning cartoons. Well it became clear to me that after sitting in front of the TV for a couple-three hours, they became cranky and lethargic. And it made me think about how *I* felt if I sat too long in front of the TV - cranky and lethargic!

I know I'm extreme, but I just quit watching TV altogether - no more sitcoms or evening dramas. I cut the kids back to 1 hour on Saturday mornings - they each got to pick a 30 minute show. After a while, it was easy to just kill the TV watching entirely.

Now, we did watch movies on DVD (well, VHS back then) but it wasn't regular mindless dribble which I'd come to think of TV shows as. Again, I'm extreme but it worked great in my house.

With the TV off, my kids started reading. My boys, now age 20 & 22, are still both avid readers, which I mostly attribute to the lack of TV. I started this craziness around the time they were about 6 and 4. Believe it or not, I've never gone back to watching regular program television.

Every once in a while I turn it on and watch something for a few minutes and between the inanity and repetitiveness of most of the shows, and the incessant commercials, I am reminded why I don't miss any of it.

OK, so now, down off my soapbox! Sorry!!

My advice: limit TV time, do fun stuff with your kids (which you've clearly been doing a lot of!), give them "on your own" time where they can entertain themselves (either together or separately), and encourage reading.

The "on your own" time is also essential because it gives them some down time and also lets them explore ways to keep themselves entertained. It also lets them express their feelings and ideas through play which does not involve adults. It fosters imagination and creativity. And it teaches them that Mommy and Daddy have things to do that don't involve the kids (you need your OWN down time LOL, among other things) and that that's OK.

You are doing a great job with these girls! I look forward to your future posts!
socks
13 years ago
An hour a day sounds fine.

It gives you a break as well, time to gear up for whatever is next.
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minnie_tx
13 years ago
When my GD was around 8 and living in Calif with her mom I would watch Nicelodean (programs were good back then) and other things and record them on a VCR then I'd make a list of what was on the VCR and send it to her. no commercials and only what I deemed good for her to watch. Unfortunately a lot of those shows for little kids are all hip hop now.
hgl_gaylemarie
13 years ago
Less TV sounds like a good plan!
coffeemom
13 years ago
Heck with the TV, I want to come play in the forts at your house!
janie_ga
13 years ago
An hour is PLENTY!

Stop by the store and pick up some giant coloring crayons or sidewalk chalk (that might be cheaper) for them to use decorating the forts... I LOVED boxes and forts. Maybe they will have a smaller one for the baby to crawl around in.
jannie
13 years ago
When my kids were little, they were only allowed an hour a day of TV. They watched Mr. Rogers and Sesame street. (This was before Barney the Dinosaur). Firemans Wife, please get in the habit of reading to your girls. The baby won't understand, but the older 2 will benefit greatly.
Make it a part of the day-read after breakfast or lunch, or before bedtime. Go to your public library-they probably have Storytime and other activities.
mariend
13 years ago
Another thing you can check on is to find out if your library has a children's program. Your older one would enjoy going especially after she start kindergarden to be with her friends. They usually are on Sat. Also, do you have any museums or other things in the area? Many times they have children's programs also, our zoo features alot of stuff for the kids.
As to TV? There is a lot of stuff for kids and sometimes you have to watch to see what really the kids like. Also you can get children's viedos for rental. You be surprised how much is avaiable. Do you have a good public broadcasing station? Watch for specials.
Do enjoy your daily upkeeps.
merry_maid
13 years ago
I just have to say, your posts are the most joyous words ever .... bless you and your new family :)

as for the tv question, you don't need to ask for any suggestions; you've got it all figured out on your own. you are amazing!
hayjud_mn
13 years ago
You are having so much fun, and we are enjoying it with you. Those big cartons are some of the most fun things to play with.

Jannie mentioned going to the library. Might I suggest that it could be helpful for your oldest to get prepared for sitting and listening to somebody other than yourself, before school starts. They are not terribly ridged at the library reading sessions, and you can stay with them. At the same time they can get use to being away from you for short times. It is also a fun activity for the preschooler while her big sister is at school.
kacram
13 years ago
Sounds like you have everything under control!

thank you so much for sharing with us. I LOVE it!
wildchild
13 years ago
You are doing fine with the hour in the morning and the little bit in the evening.

My one caution is that right now you are having a lot of fun with the girls as a unit. Especially with the oldest 2 being at an age where they still enjoy the same things it is easy to fall in the trap of forgetting they are individuals.As Tanna gets older she will want to watch things that are different from her sisters. So setting a hard and fast time limit may not work. Go for quality and not over-doing it but arbitrary rules tend to backfire.

Do not treat them as equals. They are 3 different little people and trying to be "fair" at all times can trap them into even more competitiveness than letting them know early on that they are unique and their needs and interests are ever changing.

Don't be surprised if in a year or so Tanna starts shunning the little ones a bit more. It's normal and healthy. Every younger child goes through it. The ones that seem to be harmed by it are the ones whose parents try to make everything "equal" and "fix" things.

Absolutely agree with the reading at night. If you read to them and they see you read then they will want to read. "Not now mommy's reading" is an excellent tool. LOL

When my DD was 2 she watched Sesame Street and loved it. But her favorite show was Gomer Pyle. She wouldn't be upset at missing the former. But she had to have her Gomer fix. LOL
kayjones
13 years ago
I found this for you to read:

From kidshealth.org:

http://kidshealth.org/parent/positive/family/tv_affects_child.html

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that kids under 2 years old not watch any TV and that those older than 2 watch no more than 1 to 2 hours a day of quality programming.

The first 2 years of life are considered a critical time for brain development. TV and other electronic media can get in the way of exploring, playing, and interacting with parents and others, which encourages learning and healthy physical and social development.

As kids get older, too much screen time can interfere with activities such as being physically active, reading, doing homework, playing with friends, and spending time with family.

Of course, television, in moderation, can be a good thing: Preschoolers can get help learning the alphabet on public television, grade schoolers can learn about wildlife on nature shows, and parents can keep up with current events on the evening news. No doubt about it Â TV can be an excellent educator and entertainer.
minnie_tx
13 years ago
My GD also made play money with paper and crayons and on the back of a roll of Chrismas wrapping drew some streets and stores then moved her doll from store to store and "bought" things. She also conducted a schoolroom playinf teacher. A big day was when she learned to make loops. strips of paper glued together to form loops and eventually streamers for all around the room lots to do and the best years of her life

Another fun thing was when she stretched out on a piece of the wrapping paper and I traced around her. Then we cut it out and she scotched taped it to the back of a door and had a life sized shape of herself I think I still have it somewhere.
Vickey__MN
13 years ago
TV Time is whatever YOU feel comfortable with. If that nagging voice says..boy they seem to be watching too much TV, then it's too much. If it's a rainy day, there is nothing wrong with watching more TV, or watching a movie together. People will tell you they watch too much or not enough..but it's you who needs to be comfortable with their TV watching time.

Vickey
jannie
13 years ago
You might want to buy a few DVD Disney movies and let the kids watch them as a special treat now and then. Maybe start "Friday Movie Night" Make a special dinner (or allow fast food once a week, only on Fridays) , then settle in for watching a movie. Kids love routines like that.
wifetojoeiii
13 years ago
Let me start with I think your situation is amazing. You and your husband are very blessed.

I read all the comments above and agree 100% I think it depends on what they are watching vs the numbers of minutes; taking into consideration learning vs blank watching.

And - my older daughter - who is now 26 & a teacher - loved watching Lawrence Welk of all things! She was 4 or 4 1/2 at the time I think, and it was on for an hour or two on Saturdays I think - she enjoyed it so much I just let her watch it!

Good Luck -

Hostpasta
wildchild
13 years ago
I think the trend of having a bookshelf of Disney or other children's videos in the home contributes to the TV watching problem. They are always there unlike if you go to the movies or rent a video for the night to watch with your kids.

When my children were young Teddy Ruxpin (the story telling bear) came out. I was the only mom on the block who wouldn't buy one. I wanted to read to my own children, not have some mechanical toy "read" to them from a tape.

TV is not the villain. It's parents who chose to use it as a babysitter that makes it bad.

Children learn a lot about the world from watching TV as long as it's varied and age appropriate. It can even be used as a learning tool for teaching them what NOT to do and talking about the differences of the real world as compared to the TV world. It's really all about good parenting the rest of the time. TV will not poison their little minds unless you let it.

I see parents saying no to TV but then they will go and buy computers for young children because they convince themselves that computers are "educational". More electronic babysitting.

Basic toys to build with, pretend with and ride and climb and parents involved in their daily lives is educational. The rest is all extra.

The TV was on a lot in our home but the kids were always mostly doing something else. They were multi tasking. LOL There was always a huge pile of Legos or other toys in front of the TV. I never had a completely cleared family room floor until they were around 8.

TV Time?

Comments (18)

lowspark

socks

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