Too Much Television? - Lindenhurst,NY

Dear J. D. Mommy, You do what you have to do. If you say she keeps herself busy, she is not glued to it. The shows should be appropriate and she can learn while you dress for work. Don't let other moms or a book tell you what to do. If you had another way you would. She is safe and happy. Grandma Mary

my suggestion for one thing is PBS Sprout or the Disney channel... way less commercials! My 3.5 and 4.5 year olds have no idea about all the "fad" toys because they rarely ever see a commercial. For Christmas, my 3 year old asked for a candy cane, and the 4 year old wanted a princess... that's it! :-)

I think if you could find some way for her to be able to play with toys rather than watching tv, it would be better... even if you put her in a pack and play, or just gave her some toys in the same room you are getting ready.

Good luck!!!!

my personal opinion is yes, it's too much tv. But I believe what the Academy of Pediatrics recommends - no tv at all before age 2. I do think it makes a big difference in children. Though a lot of people will disagree with me. I've been able to do this though with my own kids though. I have a 20 mth old right now that I do not let watch any tv and I still get ready every day. I use a jumpy most of the time. It's the kind that hangs in the doorway from the door frame. It is the kind with a tray all the way around them with rubber bumpers on the edges so it accomodates larger infants. She is 25 pounds and can still use it. That keeps her happy. You could also just put her in the pack n play without turning the tv on. Get some toys that you can set aside as special that she only gets to play with during that time. It will make it special for her and she won't get bored as easily. As she gets older the options increase. With my son, I used some of those drawing toys you find in the stores (the ones that only show up on it) and sat him on the floor on my bathroom. That was the only time he got to play with them, so he looked forward to it. There are lots of ways you can get around the tv if you choose to do it. Give it a try! :)
oh, I also only put my baby in the jumpy while I shower. When I'm getting ready I let her play in the house like normal. I just go and check on her every few minutes. I don't think you should have to contain her the entire 2 hours you are getting ready.

I love the music idea too. I had to wean my son off too much tv, but I felt like it would be much easier to do it sooner, when he is younger, rather than later. I weaned him down to 1/2 an hour--he did keep asking for it, but he seemed to like the music and it didn't take long before he adjusted. I think he was around the same age as your daughter. Good luck!

I think you should do what works best for you....I have 3 kids..almost 9, 5 and 2 and all watch TV...I think as long as they are watching something good it's fine...What's wrong with Dora and Diego helping me teach colors and counting and shapes and animals? My 2 year old sings and interacts with them...and at the same time she's not just staring at the tv...she is often playing with her dolls or coloring and just repeating along with the background noise.

I love all these people trying to be Mom of the Year with their Academy of Pediatrics statistics...no kids are perfect nor are their parents. I'm sure these parents never watched tv either..it's such a joke..kids don't need to be stimulated every second of the day and tv isn't the worst thing in the world. I love watching movies with my kids and having them learn about different cultures and places in the world, and watching them figure a plot out or getting the symbolism. My children are also active in sports, love to be outside, very good students and love to read...so tell the Academy to put that in their stats too!

according to the "experts" it is, but according to a mother of 3, it will be ok.
i know i used to put my kids in the shjwoer with me in th emornings and then close the stopper on getting out and thye'd play while i dried hair and put on makeup, then it was to my room to get dressed etc..... but often times, the tv was a lifesaver. id pop my son in highchair with crayons, paper, and a baby einstein show...itwas great! he had fun, and i could move free and fast.
i always made sure too thant virtually every room was babyproof outsid eof the office...if my 2 yr old did wander, it was ok really, the chemicals werent under the sink, pots and pans were, that sort of thing.
but dont forget, mom needs a break and if thats the only way to get one, dont knock urslef out over it. i have 3 childeren. they all watched tv in morning and in afternoon.1the middle child is gifted, the others regular happy kids...i didnt do naything different with any of them ffor the most pasrt.in fact, i was probably hypervigilant supermom with the first one;eating organic whole foods, no red dyes, no tv first 2 yrs of life, etc.....lol.
relaxe and just do what feels right.

When I need to get ready to go somewhere, cook, clean, et cetera, I involve my daughter. It takes a bit longer but it is well worth it. If she is not a wiling participant, which happens sometimes, I involve her with puzzles or blocks or crayons/paper, food.

I believe that tv (or any screen time really) is harmful to children. I have seen the differences first hand for many years btwn children who don't get much or any screen time and those that do. The two most significant differences are the relationship connections that children have with others and their vocabulary/language skills. Children who don't have much screen time seem to have a deeper connection with those around them, there are reciprocated responses to their actions allowing them to actually connect with the humans/animals in front of them. Unlike those who's screen friends don't respond and they have a one sided relationship, this unresponsive nature is remembered and follows them in real life, where they may be unresponsive or not realize that connections are reciprocal. Secondly, vocabulary skill, use, and quantity are exponentially better when actual people are talking to children and again, having reciprocal relationships. They speak more fluently, using more variations and larger words, as well as, using context and ennunciating properly.

"Pediatricians should urge parents to avoid television viewing for children under the age of 2 years. Although certain television programs may be promoted to this age group, research on early brain development shows that babies and toddlers have a critical need for direct interactions with parents and other significant caregivers (eg, child care providers) for healthy brain growth and the development of appropriate social, emotional, and cognitive skills. Therefore, exposing such young children to television programs should be discouraged."

To read the full statement: American Academy of Pediatrics policy statement on Media Education.

More research/articles:

http://www.aacap.org/cs/root/facts_for_families/children_...

http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2009/09/27/the-debi...

http://kidshealth.org/parent/positive/family/tv_affects_c...

http://www.seattlepi.com/local/231249_television05.html

Good luck.

Give her as many options as posible in the play pen. I found that my children often get bored and play with their toys when given tv and another option. As she gets older your options will increase. Don't feel quilty; you're keeping your child safe and in the best environment as possible.
http://dbadart.blogspot.com/

I say do whatever works for you. My son watches tv - has since he was a baby but he also does A LOT OF OTHER THINGS so I tend to not freak out about the tv issue. Its all about BALANCE and SURVIVAL IMO. LOL! Just try to shut off the tv though and put her in with toys and books only, she might not even need the tv on. I know a lot of time when my son had the tv on he wasn't even paying attention to it anyway.

My kids probably watched that much at that age too so I'm not going to judge whether it's too much or not but if you're concerned have you tried placing her in the pack n play with her toys but the TV off? Maybe have some music on instead?

To me 2 hours sitting in the pack n play seems like a long time to be stuck in there regardless of the TV or not. Is she really in there that long or do you move her around the house as you get ready (highchair while in the kitchen, playing in the bedroom while you get dressed, etc.).

Good luck,
K.

J.,
Yup. Any TV is too much. Simply have a pack and play hwere you do the most of your 'prep', and get used to her being there. No child should have TV before age 4, and I'm really of the opinion of much later than that. You *can* avoid it. Studies link TV to permanent attention deficit.

Do most of your prep the night before. Lunch, lay out clothes, her clothes, etc. pack bags, update bags, Most you should do in the AM is shower, dress, eat, relax with your baby (2 hours! : ) and get a load of laundry started so it is ready when you get home.

IMO, good luck!
M.

I think a little tv is fine. But try to think of some options. Also think about this. You could be spending 2 more hours per day with your child if you could shorten and include her.

Could you take your shower the night before? Could you take it before she wakes up?
Are your clothes prepped for the day?
Could lunches and her diaper bag be pre packed the night before?
Is your hair style too involved? Could you blow dry it with her there.
Could you place a timer on your coffee pot so it automatically turns on in the morning? Do you keep easy breakfast foods handy?

What is taking up so much time to get ready and how could it be shortened?

If she has a playpen or a pack and play could you place that in your bedroom with some of her toys or close to where you are doing your hair and make up? This way you two can listen to music or visit (most of the talking will be done by you) and she will be getting more human on human contact. Your child will be entertained just watching you and the little conversations you have. Include her in decisions. "Should mommy wear this red top or this blue top? Where did I leave my black flat shoes?
Should I wear my hair up or blow dry it straight? Thank you for your help."

I let my kids (20 months) watch an hour of sesame street a day.
I don't believe in the hype over TV watching. If you're smart you're smart, if you're not you're not. I'm not a doctor but, I strongly believe in the impact of genetics here.
Some data points: my husband and I grew up watching enormous amounts of television from a very early age. We both have advanced degrees from top universities, he's in MENSA. No one is crazy or ADD. What more can you ask for?
I should add: my kids are off the charts developmentally in every area: motor skills, speech and vocabulary, conceptually (understanding and executing the nuances of humor, etc). So I have no problem with some TV. People will use anything as an excuse. If you are comfortable and your child is hitting all her milestones or exceeding them, then do what you need to do!

Hi J.,

Chances are, she doesn't have the attention span to watch tv for that entire time, let alone 10-15 minutes at a time, so I wouldn't worry too much.

Maybe try putting on one of those music channels. She will see that the tv is on, but the music may be enough to entertain her along with her toys.

Another idea, which you may or may not like - could slow down your routine - just put her in the shower with you. She can play while you shower, then as you get ready in the bathroom, she can stay in the tub and continue to play until you are ready to get her dried off and dressed. My daughter is 23 months, and she LOVES to play in the water. I do not put water in the tub like a bath, so there is no worry of drowning, if you have to run to grab something, etc.

Good luck, and no worries,
L.

Do what works for you. I get to stay home with my kids, so getting ready in the a.m. isn't stressful for me. I am sure it's not easy for you to get yourself AND a child ready and out the door in the mornings. If she's happy and healthy and not glued to the TV all day long, then do what works for you and your family.

By the way, some of these responses are ridiculous. Everything in moderation. Those who say their children do not watch a second of television probably have full-time nannies and housekeepers. I use TV as a break for myself. I simply cannot do everything that I need to do in a day if I didn't allow my kids to sit and watch TV every now and then.

Anyway, like I said, as long as she's happy and healthy and progressing developmentally as she should, then what you do is your own business.

Lynsey

I can see a big difference between my daughter (who is not allowed to watch much TV at 19mos old) and children of a similar age who watch a lot of TV. My kid seems much more verbal than any other kid I know. Granted, children all develop at different rates but more and more studies show that TV is harmful to children and may lead to learning disabilities. Clearly you are a very concerned mom and will do what you think is best for you and your child so nobody should judge you either way. Perhaps you could try giving your daughter a variety of books with lots of hands on textures etc. to keep her occupied in addition to showing some nature programs on TV. That seems to work for my little one. She prefers books over TV most of the time which surprises everyone including me! I personally think that exposure to lots of books, seeing adults reading books, having discussions about what the child can see around her etc. might offset some of the problems associated with TV watching & lays a great foundation for developing a love of learning.

Yes, it's too much tv. way too much. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends NO television under two years old, and then a half hour as a maximum. You're starting a bad habit. It takes you two hours to shower? I was a working mom when my kids were toddlers and it didn't take me that long to get ready, I think you need to simplify your routine a little. She doesn't need television. Kids who are plopped in front of the t.v. aren't learning to entertain themselves. Toys should be enough to keep her busy, but it shouldn't take you two hours where she's in a playpen. You don't see any other way to get ready for work? Put her in the playpen while you shower and dress, gate her into a safe area or with you while you fix your hair and makeup. I can't imagine that it takes you two hours to get ready for work. Shut off the t.v., she will survive, I promise, but you need to find some way for her not to have to sit in the playpen for two hours. I never needed to do that.

She prob. watches the tv about 5 minutes every little bit, she isn't sitting staring at the tv. I used to do this with all my grandkids when I was trying to cook dinner or sort laundry, something I didn't need a toddler's help with. I could see them from where ever I was and really noticed they played with their toys more than standing and watching the tv. It was an occasional thing. The toys were much more tasty and fun to manipulate.

If you have noticed she stands and just watches the tv for the whole time then I suggest you move the play pen away just a bit to make it more difficult for her to watch and then chage out the toys every little bit, just take something out and replace it when you walk by.

I'm a bit behind on emails and I didn't read the responses, I'm sure there were many negative. I really think these mom's should keep their negative thoughts to themselves if they can't offer any useful advise. but I want you to know you are not alone. I don't have a pack n play to put my 2yr old in when I get ready so she does sit on the bed and watch tv while in the am (about 40 min) and again in the evening to wind down (and give me time to pickup...) She too is very bright and actually learns from what she is watching. I sometimes worry about the amount but then see that it hasn't had any negative impact on her.

Thank you for your post.

I'm not sure I have any suggestions, but am eager to hear what other people have to say. My son (now 29 months) watches about an hour of TV in the morning while I am getting things ready for the day. I too feel that I'd prefer him not to watch so much, but at the same time I'm not sure what else I can do to keep him occupied and happy as I do what needs to be done. I know sometimes he keeps himself happy looking at books and playing with toys, but that isn't always the case!