The ongoing TV hiatus

I agree with one of the previous comments regarding everything in moderation. As long as a child spends a lot of time playing without the tv and has ample opportunity to play outside (weather permitting) or away from home at indoor play areas - why the big problem if they watch tv for limited periods a day? I think it's also great to get rid of it altogether if that works for the family in question. I remember long car trips being brutal as a child - even when my mom supplied us with plenty of playthings. I don't think my mother would have turned down an opportunity to let us watch a show or two....better than the fighting over who was sitting too close to the other one and "stop touching me!" and so on. :)

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It changes day to day here. We shoot for no TV, but on rough days an hour is okay. On sick days, we watch 96736 hours of TV and snuggle on the couch. I recently read "Into the minds of babes", which was a great NF book about how children watch TV, what they can understand/process, and how to set up guidelines that work for your family. For me, it's been as hard to turn off the computer as it is to turn off the TV, so I've had to change how I model behavior to my kids. If I spend all day in front of a flashy box, what can I expect them to learn?

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I understand the turning off the TV, it does help with tantrums, but TV is also not all bad! My three year old has been "camping" for two days (and is currently sleeping in a pop up playhouse-tent). Where did he learn this new game? TV.

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It used to be that I would turn the TV on in the morning, just till I got out of that zombie stage. More often then not however, I would forget to turn it off throughout the day. It wasn't a HUGE deal since most of the time my 2yo pays attention intermittenly at best, but of course that attention has been increasing considerably. Lately I have been only turning it on at nap time (my system right now is "Lets all watch cartoons in Mommy's bed!) and have been pleased with the results. Though he has started asking for it (Want TB On).

As for the road trips, I'm with you. For all of the poo-pooing in favor of those fabulous road trip memories from childhood, I find it hard to believe that those memories are from TODDLERHOOD. When I go on road tips I take my portable DVD player with me so that if I get to the point of toddler meltdown I have something at my disposal. Usually its not needed until the return trip and I can't say that I blame him for wanting something "familiar" at that point. He's usually not slept in his own bed for at least two nights and likely not seen his Daddy for three days, if a little Blues Clues helps make him feel better so be it.

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My kids' day doesn't have a space where TV would fit. There are too many things to do. I have on occasion resorted to it when I was too tired to do anything else and they were getting on my nerves. When they watch it, they get this dull look and I expect drool to come down their chins any minute. If it's near sleepytime, they get overstimulated and can't wind down for bed as they normally do. It's just not helpful for us at all. Then again, my kids are good at finding ways to occupy themselves. Is it because they haven't watched TV? I don't know, maybe. I watched a lot as a kid, and was still quite creative and active. But, it was a lot less chaotic in those days, so maybe the effects are different now.

As for ADD, whether TV causes it or not, I would say TV definitely doesn't help matters. With its continuous and chaotic changes of scene and sounds, it doesn't encourage ADD kids to develop the skills they need to succeed in the real world. Parents of kids with this problem should research alternative activities that do encourage longer attention spans, etc., and reduce TV time to make time for such activities.

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The kids rarely watch TV during the week. They leave for school at 7:15 and don't get home from extended day til 6. Friday nights we order pizza and watch a movie and Sat and Sun they usually get an hour or two - depending on activities and what show they choose. They know the rules - they also know if mommy's gone - daddy will let them watch tv on a weeknight - but what can ya do

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I have to say that yes I do use the television as a babysitter. When you have two children and are going to school full-time and have to take care of the house, what is a person to do? My children watch a lot of television, but they rarely ever sit down and watch a full episode or movie of anything. And so far they have turned out just fine.

I also have to agree with Linda, that same letter factory has taught my kids the alphabet and sounds. The leap frog movies are amazing things that teach my children things that they need to know. My child was the first to start reading in her pre-school class and I owe a big part of it to the leap frog movies. They are a GREAT teaching device.

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Sundry - I absolutely LOVE the Leap Letter Factory DVD. (not that I've ever watched it personally...because, GASP, it is the only DVD I let my son watch in the car therefore I've only listened to it). But you know what? The kid is 16 months old and knows more than 50% of his letters as well as their sounds. So yeah, I kinda have to agree that there is a time and a place for TV (and your sanity) and road trips are definitely the place!

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My God, can we not make our own decisions about TV? There is so much pressure on mothers to be perfect. We all do the best we can and what we think is right. Who cares if you believe this and I believe that, if it works for your family than go for it. Our children have watched TV, they don't have ADD or ADHD and we've drugged them with Benadryl on long trips. Yes, we've drugged our girls. We've traveled all over the world and last year coming back from Italy was the first time we didn't give them Benadryl.
http://3women7kidslottawhine.blogspot.com/

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You're all kidding right? No tv? What about dvr and Dish top 250 programming? I cram all the science channel and discovery health channel that I possibly can into my brain. While surfing the internet at the same time. I also watch Suite Life with my daughter. I like Crime tv with the spouse. Why is tv suddenly the devil here? Could it be that blaming a television for behavioural issues might, just Might be something of a cop out? An excuse? Because I listen to your stories about limiting television and how horrible it is to overindulge but I do just the opposite. When it's always there, it's NOT a big deal.

BTW, my daughter is a straight A student, student council treasurer, an avid reader and socially well-adjusted. So, I guess tv gets the kudos as well?

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My kids get to watch t.v. when the want to on days they can't go outside to play but I'm picky about what they can watch. We watch a lot of NatGeo, Discovery Channel and the like. My 9 year old likes to watch the weather shows on the WeatherChannel of all things! We do watch cartoons some and of course we have our movies (Star Wars, Harry Potter) but none of our vehicles have video. Not that I'm pro or con over the isssue, we just don't take long trips. As far as when I think they've had enough t.v. I turn the damn thing off. You eventually get to a point where you can tune out their protests; after time they learn that protesting is useless and they don't even bother. RESISTANCE IS FUTILE!

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Sorry, I think you are full of bologna!! My kids are 6 and 9, each has a TV in their room, each has Directv in their room, parental controls in place, and they watch when they want. NEITHER is ADD or ADHD (which in my opinion is OFTEN an excuse to medicate a child into catatonia). My kids don't have so much as a mark on their conduct reports from school, the 3rd grader reads on an 8th grade level, the Kindergartener reads on a 2nd grade level. Neither are obese, neither are malnourished, and they are polite and energetic. They have huge hearts, despite video games in your opinions! Get real people and take responsibility for YOUR kids and their problems. Yes, we spank, we punish, we have time out and groundings if necessary. Don't use the excuses of outside influences lazy parents, influence inside the home twice as much, pay attention, and GET INVOLVED!!! I am a working mom (RN), I work nights and am room parent in both classes. It can be done, is done by plenty besides me, and no excuses. RAISE YOUR OWN KIDS and take responsibility when they do wrong. GEEZ!!

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