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How do I get my in-laws to watch less TV when they're babysitting?

Lisa - posted on 03/02/2010 ( 2 moms have responded )

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I just want to get opinions on this.

My husband's Craig's parents, watch my September 09 baby all day while we work, and they have the TV on ALL THE TIME. Now they will play with Hudson where he's not facing the TV and Terry takes him into the bedroom to read to him occasionally, but the TV is literally ALWAYS on. Their compromise is to put Sesame Street on for Hudson once a day for as long as he will watch.

Right now he's little so he will play with toys and not just focus on the TV, but that's going to change sooner rather than later. TV is inactive - he doesn't really learn much from that about the world around him and the American Peditricians Council states that children under 2 years old should not watch any TV and over 2 no more than an hour.

And it's not just him watching the TV. It is also the example that it sets - people sit on the couch and watch TV all day. I don't want him to see life that way and become a lazy TV watcher!

My husband mentioned to his parents today that I was noticing how the TV is still on all the time and it sounds like his dad was annoyed by it, feeling like I'm telling them they can never watch TV. Which is not the case. He takes naps and leaves at night so they can watch it then, and if there is something they HAVE to watch during the day then fine. But all day with the TV on, well I just don't like it. If he was only there on weekends or a day or two a week it wouldn't be so bad, but they have him all day 5 days a week and that's WAY too much TV watching in my opinion.

Am I crazy? Out of line? Ideas for how I can discuss this with them? Suggestions for things they could do that DON'T involve having the TV on?

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2 Comments

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Jane - posted on 03/02/2010

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5

Are you paying them to watch your son? If so, maybe you need to pay someone else to watch him if the TV being on all day is something you don't like. If you are NOT paying them to watch him and they are doing this for you because they are family and love their grandson, then I think you need to either a) deal with it or b) pay someone to watch your son where you can dictate what they do when your son is with them.

I don't think it's bad that you don't want your son to watch TV all day or to see people who do nothing but watch TV all day, however, if you are not paying them, then you really have no say....and if you are paying them and they don't like what you ask, then you should find someone else who will do what you request.

Maggie - posted on 03/02/2010

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You can only do so much. I would start with a schedule of your sons activities and let them know you're wanting him to do educational activities. If they don't get it and aren't following the rules, then sit them down and talk to them with your husband. If they don't get it then, maybe it's time to put your child into a structured day care, there are some great ones out there and if money's the issue most states have funding to assist you in child care. But you need to raise you children the way you want to and if it isn't working and your wishes aren't being respected maybe family watching children isn't that wonderful, not to mention ifyou need someone to watch you child and you want your child to be active and develop as usual then being around other children is a great thing for him.

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