Is TV raising your kids?

Krista - posted on 08/19/2011

My kid watches way too much TV. I feel bad about it, actually. I'm just not a very outdoorsy person, and we don't have museums or playgroups nearby. So i could take him for a walk up and down the same dirt road every single day, but that grows kind of boring.

Still, I really need to make more effort and turn off the damn tube every so often. Fortunately, because they're having a Max and Ruby marathon on Treehouse this Saturday, it's provided me with extra incentive to get out of the house and away from the TV set! Beach, here we come!!!

So no, the TV isn't raising my child. But it's entertaining him a lot more than I'd like.

Stifler's - posted on 08/17/2011

my kid is only interested in playschool pretty much. i love playschool hahaha

Tamara - posted on 08/17/2011

There are days they do then days they are never in front of it. I figure as long as they do their daily reading and outside time and getting exercise its ok

Angela - posted on 08/14/2011

On the same subject i think many parents feel guilt because they are not always entertaing the kids... I don't think you have to entertain your children all the time. They can do things on their own with out you and learn to entertain themselves. If you are worried about the tv turn it off sure they will whine but soon they find something to do. I do that with Claire, she would be a tv junkie if I let her.

Angela - posted on 08/14/2011

okay so my oldest did not watch tv from birth but by age 2 she had my little pony and barbie movies so since 1988

Angela - posted on 08/14/2011

not rude I am 44! I was 18 when I had my first and 40 when I got pregnant with Claire she will be 3 in November! Yes I am old but wise.... BIG GRIN!

Katherine - posted on 08/14/2011

86!!!!! How old are you? I mean not to be rude......

Angela - posted on 08/14/2011

I don't really like the Barbie movies... I like most Disney Pixar movies like Monsters inc, Despicable me etc. Remember however I have been watching these movies since my first kid back in 1986!

Edit to add

When I was in school and working I did use the tv to entertain my kids so I could get homework or take at home work from my job done. I don't feel guilty really it is a form of entertainment. I do however really watch what they were watching. Nothing too grown up etc. In fact that is why I am not watching much TV except when my Claire is asleep or away too, she can't watch Dexter with me so I wait... and wait...

Katherine - posted on 08/14/2011

Mine was into Barbie but then got bored of it, but secretly I liked the movie.

Angela - posted on 08/14/2011

I hate it too yuck! She loves it... but I only have one movie of it and that is it and I want to kill my older daughter for giving it to her!

Katherine - posted on 08/14/2011

Oh, thank GOD my kids don't watch My Little Pony!!! I couldn't take it.

Angela - posted on 08/14/2011

Sometimes but only because it rains her a lot!!!! So we run out of things to do, you can only color, craft, glue etc so much. Also their is not a lot to do here for kids indoors.

If and when it stops raining I go out, I leave the cleaning etc and just go... so we can enjoy it while it last.

EDit to add I want to add I try to limit my time on the internet to when she is sleeping, or away like today she went with Papa to go see her Grandma...I said bye bye ! If she is watching a movie I will go on the internet for sure I can't take watching my little pony again!

Stifler's - posted on 08/14/2011

haha i am an internet junkie too. but i do get off and read books and go to the park and clean and play and feed the kids.

Shannintipton - posted on 08/13/2011

LMFAO. I hope I didnt come off as snotty. And if it helps I wish I were drinking too. BTW I didnt think of you as snotty at all. Unfortunately my son is addicted to his computer now too. As am I obviously. I cant wait for school to start. So than I wont feel so bad. You are a good mom. Congrats to you. :D

Kelly - posted on 08/13/2011

Yea, I just re-read that, and I sounded snotty :P Sorry!!!
I think I was trying to be helpful by suggesting things to do, but it came off all snooty.

Don't get me wrong--I'm on the computer A LOT!! He plays with his toys by himself--it's not that I'm more involved, it's just that without TV as an option, he's forced to do other things....but I do start to go a little crazy if we don't leave the house, and the computer gives me headaches if I look at it too long, so my time on it is in short spurts throughout the day....all day.


And I have no idea why I wrote that about Star Wars! In my defense, I have been drinking tonight....a little more than usual.

Shannintipton - posted on 08/13/2011

Okay Kelly seriously you are not helping me at all. LOL. That is great. And I did know that Darth Vader and Anikon were the same person but they DO have different roles. Yeah for me. LOL

Katherine - posted on 08/13/2011

I am guilty. They love watching Dora and their songs. I try to make it somewhat educational. I am a CoM/Computer junkie too. But they ask ME. I also take them to gymnastics, the park and other events. So it's not like I don't do stuff with them.
They love to do crafts and paint. Which is dangerous lol. They make SUCH a mess!

Kelly - posted on 08/13/2011

We don't have cable either. I take J someplace fun everyday--We frequent the park, pool, and interactive fountain, but if it is too hot, we hit the library, museums, or an indoor play place (think fast food, bleh).



At home, we have nerf gun battles or play Star Wars (I'm usually Yoda or Asoka, he's usually Darth Vader or Anikin....of course they are the same person, but totally different roles!)

He also has a ton of those Imaginext toys that he loves to play with. And Hex Bugs, and blocks (He LOVES to build), Lego sets, Magnetix, Autovox cars, Hot Wheels and tracks for them, army men and other action figures, transformers--the kid has more toys than he can play with in a month!

We do Math and Reading every day so he doesn't forget what he learned in school over the summer--It is actually fun for him, and he looks forward to doing it.

We read A LOT of books together--sometimes silent, sometimes out loud, sometimes we continue the story after the end of the book by making up new "chapters".



I keep a list of fun activities posted in the kitchen, so when we are bored, I have ideas. I never seem to be able to think of things when I need to--like the museum, I never think of it when we have time to go, I think of it when I hear the ad on the radio, or drive by it. So having the list helps a bunch.

Holly - posted on 08/13/2011

I take my kids outside as often as possible, but where I live (for now...) the winters are non-stop rain and it gets WAY too darn hot in the summer to go out (even going into the pool is too much). So, there are times when we stay inside all day.



When they're inside I make them earn tv time (except for after lunch and when I'm making dinner). For every hour they play in their room (where all their toys and art stuff is) they can watch 30 minutes of tv (well, not really tv since we don't have cable, they get to watch one of the dvds we have - right now they're into the LeapFrog movies). After lunch they lay down on the couch with pillows and blankets and watch a movie. If they fall asleep, then they get a nap, if the don't fall asleep, then they can get up because they just had quiet time. I also let htem watch a movie while I make dinner because they are always trying to "help" in the most unhelpful ways possible when I'm cooking...

Emma - posted on 08/13/2011

Our Tv is always on even if no one is watching it. I hate quite and the Suburbs are dam quite.
My kids are always in the garden playing and only really watch tv when the weather is bad. So i would say no not to much.
I hate taking my kids to the park as its stress full, due to safety issues, you just cant relax and enjoy playing with them so we now only take them to a privet play park but that costs so its only for a treat.

Stifler's - posted on 08/13/2011

I have kids shows on in the afternoon to occupy Logan while I deal with Renae but Logan mostly plays outside or we go for walks in the pram or visiting.

Jayce - posted on 08/12/2011

Really...I didn't notice. Hehe.

Shannintipton - posted on 08/12/2011

Same here. I dont know if you know this but I spend a lot of time on ......CoM. LOL

Jayce - posted on 08/12/2011

Yeah, my guy probably spends too much time in front of the TV/computer but I really do try to limit it. I get him outside as much as I can (when the weather gets bad it tough to get out). I also turn off the tube and do things with him like crafts, puzzles, building blocks etc. His dad is a TV junkie and has it on constantly when he's home (me, I could live with out the TV). I, on the other hand, am a computer junkie and my guy has picked that up from me. Most days we spend some time playing online games.