Do your kids watch television regularly?

Question

Do you monitor everything they watch? Do you give them a time limit? How does it work in your house?

Answer 1

No, my kids don't watch every day... they are so busy that it doesn't occur to them to watch daily. I don't like them to watch more than 30 min a day, unless they are watching a full length movie. If they have watched TV several days in a row, I usually won't let them watch a movie... so it averages out to about 30 min a day. They probably see one movie a month. They might watch more if it's cold or rainy or if they are sick. During the summer, they might have TV on once a week max; there's just too much other stuff to do!

I usually have them earn their TV & computer time. They have to have all their chores & school work done before they can watch or play computer games. During the school year, they have to be completely ready for school, including backpacks & coats and whatever extra time they have before we leave they can watch PBS (which usually is only a few minutes if they are really hurrying!).

Yes, I monitor what they watch, but it's easy because we don't have cable. So they see a handful of shows on PBS and episodes of kids shows we have on video/DVD. Sometimes we rent movies or borrow them from the library; if I don't know what's in them, DH & I pre-screen them the night before when they are in bed.

We aren't big TV watchers ... I watch a bit of news in AM & PM and DH & I might watch a program or movie in the evening after they go to bed so they don't really see us sitting around the TV. I'd never go totally TV free because I do believe it keeps you politically & socially informed. Like anything it can be misused in the wrong hands but that doesn't mean that it's not also a powerful tool for informing and entertaining.

Answer 2

OK well... a little TV is good but if you have like 3 hours a day you might want to cut back. If you feel your kids are watching to much TV substitute it with something like a walk in the park or a board game. Make sure they KNOW what they can or can't watch and if you have to block the channels that are inappropriate. Until they know what they are not allowed to watch yes monitor them. But about 1/2 an hour is all kid need especially in the summer.

Answer 3

We are not home a lot. The thing is the TV is always on in my house. I do not like the quiet (like there is quiet with a bunch of kids running around but you know LOL) but they do not actually sit down and watch it much while we are home.
They would rather be on the computer, playing outside, fighting with eachother, playing with toys etc.
I do not have a time limit obviously since it is always on. But I would say that they watch less than an hour total a day. If not less than an hour definitely less than two hours. When they are in the house and awake it is always on Nickelodeon, Disney, or Cartoon Network to avoid them overhearing something I would rather they didn't hear.

Answer 4

We have "movie time" at our house--which is the hour before supper, so I can get the darn supper made. :-) We only watch videos, so we don't have quite so many commercials--we always skip the previews. And we've done this for a while now so my kids (ages 5 and 3) have developed a sort of internal clock that tells them it's time to turn off the tv after 45 - 60 minutes.

I hope to keep this kind of schedule (1 hour a day ) for quite some time into the future, so that tv remains just one small activity among many other fun and educational activities my kids participate in.

Answer 5

Monitored here pretty closely. There is a time limit and it changes daily based on my mood to be honest, and the weather. If it's nice out, go outside and play.

We are big for movies here, mostly Disney so it's not unusual for the kids to watch 2 hours of TV a day, one movie.

If it's cable/satellite then I know what they are watching and I make sure I have watched it too to really see what it's about. There are cartoons out there that are disguised as kids shows but really aren't.

Answer 6

Nothing is ever easy in the beginning, but the rewards are more than worth a week of squealing until they acclimate.

Mine are permitted no more than 1 hour per day total unless there is something special that the whole family wants to watch. We also have a weekly movie night that they love.

It is more important for them to be out running around and getting some exercise and doing more productive things. This year they planted a salsa garden; tomatoes, green onions, peppers, cilantro, etc., its a huge hit and they can't wait to make the salsa. Last year we did a cucumber garden and they loved making refrigerator pickles. The possibilities are endless.

Answer 7

I closely watch what my kids are watching. And the time limit i give is 4-5 hours of TV

Answer 8

I monitor my 15 year old daughter's viewing.. I am lucky she is a good kid, would still rather watch Full House & Disney channel.. However for the most part she probably watched around 15 hours a week at the most..

Answer 9

I would say depending on the age of the children try to get them more active limit the tv they watch and just turn on the stuf until the turn about 6 and can do it themselves then there are parental locks. This is how i do all the kids i raised.

Answer 10

The tv is always on in my house. In the mornings the tv is his (he is 2). He loves the Disney channel and watches Playhouse Disney in the mornings while I get ready for work. His favorites are the Wiggles (absolute favorite), Higgly Town Heros, Little Einstens and the Doodlebops. In the evenings, he watches what we watch, but he is usually playing or reading his books. Lately when my husband is watching sports he will sit down with his dad and watch for a little bit.