Stay at home moms?

Question

How much tv do you let your child or children watch each day, honestly. My almost 19 month old watches about 1-2 hours per day. It's usually about 1 1/2 and 2 would be the absolute most. She only watches Blue's Clues. I never thought I'd be letting her watch any tv at this age but I just need to get things done sometimes. And she enjoys it and I really don't think it's that bad, educationally speaking. I feel kinda guilty sometimes, but she also LOVES books, music, playing, etc etc. Please don't lecture me on tv viewing, thanks!

I taught before having my child too.

Answer 1

My two year old watches about an hour to an hour and a half a day. She only watches kid TV and she has learned some things off of the shows she likes. Her favorite is the Wonder Pets and I see her imitating anilmals she sees on the show, talking about what they do and she even sings parts of the song! She also likes Dora and Thomas the Train too.

As long as you are providing your child with a variety of expreiences each day and you are monitoring what they are watching, then you are probably being a terrific parent. And I was a teacher before I was a mom!

Answer 2

The tv is on basically the whole day. My daughter will go back and fourth between playing and the tv. But I also have my niece 4 days a week and I know that's when the tv is most frequently used because my niece always wants it on.
I don't see any issue with it. My daughter is a very active 14 month old who already speaks more than most kids her age, so I figure the tv time can't be that bad. The only time my daughter will actually sit and focus on the tv is if I put her in her swing while I do dishes or clean.
I think as long as the child is still active there is nothing to be guilty about.

Answer 3

I have 2 kids and I usually have the TV on pretty much through out the days. Some shows they will actually sit and watch and others they will sing the songs while playing. I don't see anything wrong with children watching TV. I think a lot of the shows on today are great for kids. Both my kids adore Dora and I think they have learned very much from her.
And as I said the kids can be playing but hear the music to some shows and just like to sing along with it.

I am also a stay at home mom and YES there are times I need to get things done around the house and if the kids are watching TV and having their lunch or snack and can be happy and quite for a 30 min show that's wonderful.

So relax and let your little one enjoy!

Answer 4

When my son was younger (he's 8 now), I didn't really monitor how much TV he watched. The only thing I did monitor was what he watched. PBS and learning shows only. We had Blues Clues videos and by age 1.5 he knew how to use the VCR. I was a single mom. I played with my son - but when I had to do something, it was a good babysitter.

Now, he's 8. He can only watch 1 hour of TV on a school day. Weekends are a little more free. But no TV all day. Still only educational shows - he loves CyberChase and Ruff Ruffman (if that's the real name). No sponge bob or Disney shows, or even batman/spider man. (I won't even buy a shirt with spider man on it - I hate adverting cartoons on shirts!)

He's has other toys he can play with... Outside is best.

EDIT: I grew up with no TV period. I'm still catching up on old movies and shows I missed... sometimes I feel out of the loop, cause I don't know what people are talking about (ie shows/sitcoms). I think a little is better than none, cause when I got on my own... I was HOOKED to the TV - I couldn't take my eyes off. What's worse? a few hours here and there, or DAYS at a time later?

Answer 5

I have two small children, and I also let them watch no more than 2 hours of tv a day. I have found that they have learned things from the few shows that I let them watch. As long as the shows are age appropriate, and educational I do not see any harm. Also as long as they do play and read and enjoy doing other things besides watching tv all day I don't think that some tv is a bad thing. You should not feel guilty.

Answer 6

Well i have a 3 yr old and a 18 month old and i leave the tv on all the time lol i mean they watch it but they are normally on the go so much that they have no time .... they r normally to busy playing ne way, but dont be worried... as long as it is educational and less than 3 hrs in a 24 hr period, then no worries... just make sure that after you are done with what ever you are doing.... that you sit and play or read or do anything ineractive with your child...

Answer 7

I really don't regulate. I have 4 children 12, 10, 5, 3. My tv stays on from morning til night (mostly for background noise) even when they are all in school. I think what is more important is what you let them watch. Don't feel guilty you have to get things done. You spend quality time with her a little tv won't hurt.

Answer 8

Honestly, we no longer have tv, at least we don't get any sort of reception where we live, and I am not paying for cable/satellite. There is so much sex, violence and crime on regular shows. and Don't even get me started on the drug commercials! There is a pill for everything, and I do not feel like explaining to my four year old, what ED is! More and more frequently I am reminded why I made the decision not to bring such things into my young son's life. If a new movie comes out, we preview it before he is allowed to watch it, and we do our best to explain the things he asks about. The tv is usually on while I am doing things, but when we play it goes off, and we don't typically have it on during the weekends. He rarely watches it, and is usually busy helping me or playing with his toys. It is always a personal choice and you have to weigh the pro's and con's for yourself, many of my best friends are successful and brilliant and are avid tv watchers. Good luck.

Answer 9

My 21 month old is an absolute Wiggles fanatic, so he loves to watch the dvd's. I usually only let him watch 1 or 2 dvd's a day (approx 2 hours all up), but I really don't have a problem with that because I always watch with him, and we dance, sing, learn to count, learn colours, etc.
I don't really watch tv myself, so he doesn't get to see it anyway, but as long as they're watching something with some value to it, then to each their own.
Personally I much prefer playing with my kids, I tend to do most of the housework while they're sat playing and I can see them, or when they're asleep. I don't really like tv myself, but it's fun playing with the kids!

Answer 10

It really depends if my husband is home or not. If my husband's home he plays his video games and my son watches that sometimes. Normally, I like to have the TV off and the music on. It distracts me too much--even the kid shows! LOL!

I think I also don't use the TV because I wake up much earlier then him [he wakes up at 7AM and I wake up at 5AM] so I have time just to myself. When I had to drop my husband off at work in the morning at 6AM and didn't have that time he'd watch maybe a half hour in the morning. He loved this show on TLC called 'Monster Trucks.'

I don't think there's anything majorly wrong with TV but I just prefer not to watch it or have it on because it distracts me from things I should be doing. I'm definatly not a good multi-tasker!