TVs for the kids?

Question

My husband works in Iraq and he only gets a short vacation this summer. He's bringing his 3 kids home for 10 days. He wants me to get TVs for their rooms...I don't agree that kids should even have TVs in the rooms, but is it really necessary for only 10 days?

Answer 1

I agree with you. I believe too much television is making our kids dumb, fat and violent. Some is ok, but having it in their rooms guarantees that they will watch it too much.

Answer 2

That's a discussion you and your husband should be having.

Getting the TVs will let you have more time to be with your husband (alone) and stop the fighting over who gets the TV set to what station... On the other hand, it separates the kids from family time together.

There are TVs that can be programmed only to be on certain times, I believe. (That is, if the kids are supposed to be in bed at ten, the TV can be programmed not to come on after ten.)

Is there a room where you can put one TV for the kids? (And not one for each bedroom.)

I don't know -- tough question. If you can't resolve the issue before your husband comes home, I suggest you get at least one TV and plan on spending time during the first day or two (that your husband's there) to buy a few more - if he objects. You should discuss whether the TVs remain for future visits.

Peace.

P.S. It is a lot of expense for 10 days. Maybe you can borrow TVs (extras) from friends - or a rental company. Or, get used ones from thrift shops or 2nd-hand stores. TV repair shops also (often) sell used TVs.

... just a thought. :)

Answer 3

I would have to say that buying mulitple TVs for only 10 days is a bit of a waste. However, if you go to your local Rent-A-Center or ColorTime (etc) you may just be able to rent them for a week/month so its not a complete waste.
As far as kids having TVs, my son has his own TV and he's only 2. I buy him educational DVDs to watch and make sure he doesnt spend too much time watching it. 10 days doesnt seem long, but it may be your ticket to get a break when its most needed. You're husband is comming home! You'll want some alone time. Good luck to ya! Have fun!

Answer 4

Well, my four year old has a Dora the Explorer 13" tv and dvd player in her room, and she hardly watches it. She would rather spend time with me. She uses it at bedtime, when I turn it and the dvd player on so she can watch ONE cartoon after her bedtime story, before going to sleep. (It's on for about 10-12 minutes, since I set the sleep timer on the tv so it shuts off. The dvd player shuts off automatically on it's own.) The only other time she uses it is when she has a sleep over, and the girls all want to watch a movie. As well as an adult remote, it has a kid friendly remote, and she understands it's not a toy, so she doesn't play with it.

I did not buy her this television, and did not approve of it, but since she doesn't watch much television to begin with, i don't mind it as much as I once did.

I wouldn't reccommend buying a television for a child, much less for such a short period of time. In my opinion, that's a waste of money, and turns childrens minds to mush. If you have a second television in your bedroom, the kids can just watch the one in the livingroom, and you can set the v-chip so that it monitors what they watch. That way, you can have time to catch up while they are BRIEFLY entertained.

Answer 5

no it isn't necessary. Only 10 days, I would plan activities or get some board games if they are going to be in the house. A tv in the living room is ok but letting them spend 10 days with tv in their rooms you might not see them! I know this summer with my family some low-budget planning:

Picnics
Bycycle Riding
Swimming
Movies Theatre
Camping (even if only in the backyard my lil brother loves it!)
Board games for them to interact w/ each other

Answer 6

My son is 4 and he has a 27" tv in his room.. It's not that we let him watch alot of tv, but sometimes he likes to watch a movie before bed or play a video game on it.

I wouldnt go out and buy 3 tvs for 10 days maybe one extra so the kids can watch what they like maybe

Answer 7

I totally agree on NO T.V. in room ! First ? is what are there ages! If they are teenagers then i see no problem with it ! But if they are like under the age of 11 yrs. old , then a T.V. in the room is not a very good idea! To much Tv is not good for any kids , especially when it is unsupervised T.V. If you do not have a family television then maybe you can get one "for the family"! I hope this can help you and your husband , you need to talk to him about the T.V being watched unsupervised for endless hours may not be a very good thing , for his children!! There are lots of things you all can do together for those ten days then sending them off to their rooms to watch television, this is a good chance for you to get to know your step children!

Answer 8

No. They should be able to live without TV for ten days. I would never let my kids have TVs in their rooms! Tell your husband how you feel, he should understand. Make sure that when his kids get there that you give them plenty of fun activities so they won't get bored and think they need TV.

Answer 9

Look if he is coming back from Iraq and its only 10 days, its not going to hurt them any. I'm sure he hates it and I don't think its worth the frustration over 10 days out of the year.

Answer 10

If you are going to up TV's in their rooms whats the point of them being there? Its not necessary. Spend time together as a family, enjoy each other.

Answer 11

No its not. Tell him for the short 10 days you guys can do some outside activities and spend time together that way. The kids would probably like that better anyways.