I never was a mom who had strong TV rules. As a baby, Little Bear watched TV but it wasn't for long periods. When he was a year and a half he found his love of Disney movies. It was pure bliss to pop in a Disney movie and he would just sit still on the couch for a whole hour.
Yes, I am that mom who used the TV to babysit my child. I work part time and several of those hours are from home. When Little Bear gave up napping I turned to the TV to occupy him as I responded to emails for work. Not my proudest mom moment, but I'm just being real.
Lately, the TV has just been on all the time. Half the time he isn't even watching it. It's just background noise as he plays with toys and games. Now, when I suggest putting a movie Little Bear will be like nah I just watched it. TV and movies have lost their specialness.
We had a play date over the weekend and my friend's daughter barely ever watches TV. I don't think I can be that disciplined, but I do see the value of limiting TV. I want to encourage Little Bear to read more, to have more imaginative play and just to have fun without TV.
So here's to me staying strong and keeping that TV off ....for most of the day. Hey, it's baby steps for this mama. I don't want to lose my mind.
How do you feel about TV watching for kiddies? I am curious to see what other moms have to say. Pin It Now!
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oh man I'm so with you. when my kid gets on my nerves I say go watch the tv.
ReplyDeleteYou can tell if they really enjoy it...they laugh or get all into a movie. I do not believe the TV is as harmful as TV snobs make it to be. It can be entertaining and kids can learn from watching those Disney movies or just videos of trucks and stuff.
ReplyDeleteMy kids watched plenty of TV, they are grown and doing well. I drew the line with my kids and now when I sit for the grandcranks on some cartoons. Some of these cartoons are not as entertaining as they are hypnotizing. When I see those blank stares I turn the TV off.
I am about 50/50 with TV, my brothers been letting my nephew watch TV since he was born, literally. and for me that was a bit over the top. But I say to each their own, gotta do whats best for your family. My kids are older now and they watch their fair share of TV for sure.
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty sure most moms don't like to admit this but it was called the boob tube for a reason.
ReplyDeleteI am also to blame for having Reagan watch too much TV. I like to think I balance it out pretty well but when you are home all day long with a toddler seven days a week sometimes you need a break :)
xoxo
Lanaya
www.raising-reagan.com
Don't be to hard on yourself, girl! LW doesn't really like watching TV, sometimes he requests to watch "Thomas and Friends," but most times it ends up as you put it above, just background noise as he plays, so it usually gets turned right back off. There isn't anything wrong with wanting your kid to read more and participate in more imaginative play, just don't beat yourself up over it... You are doing a great job! ;)
ReplyDeleteI love this post. I feel guilty about this ALL the time. Since probably high school, I always swore my kids wouldn't watch TV - just like Madonna's kids (yep, that was my reference). When I had Benjamin, I realized... I watch a TON of TV - like, an embarrassing amount. I like having it on as background noise - I've always done that. I find it wierd when I walk into people's houses and they DON'T have the TV on. So because I need the TV so much, it was inevitable that Ben would start noticing and watching. He watches far too much, let alone the TV that's on all day in our living room where he plays. I've tried leaving it on those music channels that Comcast has - just music and a cheesy graphic, but after the holidays (read: I'm not listening to Christmas music 24/7), I haven't been doing that.
ReplyDeleteSo you're not alone :-) Gotta do what you gotta do to stay sane, right?!
Thanks for linking up!
I don't know how I'm going to be with TV because I'm such a TV junkie haha. Definitely brings up a good point and something to think about.
ReplyDeleteMy baby is just a newborn but I can see how easy it will be as she gets older to just turn on the tv so that I can have a few moments of silence :) But maybe if I start now by only watching tv when Mia goes to sleep at night, I can keep that up when she's older? We'll see!
ReplyDeleteMy TV is on 24/7. I feel bad about it, but I like the noise, and always have. V doesn't watch too much of it, as she gets bored, but that may be different soon. I totally get it. I love that you're making it a goal for you!
ReplyDeletexoxo
Thanks for linking up!
Megan @ thememoirsofmegan.com
I have the tv on as background noise but on regular channels- not toons. I really, really limit her tv time because she is obsessed with it. I don't want her to be an addict like me!
ReplyDeleteOMG I just wrote this same post! I totally feel you! I have to turn the tv off and be more present. One of my goals for this year! Love the blog! Stop by and check me out www.kristinseymour.blogspot.com!
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