Thoughts for Thursday...

Kids and T.V. Alright everyone, let's be honest today. I will be the first to admit that I let my kids watch more t.v. than they should be allowed. We are one of those families that watches a lot of television. Even if we are playing, I like to have it on for background noise. I grew up in a house where we watched it and so it's just a natural thing for me. On most occasions the t.v. is tuned to something toddler oriented, like Noggin. Sometimes I'll turn on TLC or Discovery Health for myself. We don't watch violent things in front of the kids, and most shows are family friendly. I don't use t.v. as a babysitter, unless I'm cooking dinner or something. I'm always with the girls when the t.v. is on and most shows are educational (except for the occasional movie, which is rare). Now, my question to you is this: What are your opinions on this? How often is your t.v. on? Are you a t.v. buff, or could you do without it? I honestly couldn't do without cable and DVR. I love my shows and need to watch them. At times, Annika demands Dora or Diego. I don't see why Dora and Diego are a bad thing. She's creative, loves to read, play with her toys, paint, color. She does all the things every 2 year old does. I know t.v. isn't stunting her development, or consuming her days. In fact, I think she has learned many things from some of these shows, like colors, shapes, spanish words, etc. Ok, fire away!

Comments

[zoe]

we did not have a tv until i was in the 5th grade. my mom didn't want to stifle our creativity. it is on constantly at our house if for nothing else as background. the boys have a couple of shows they like to watch and ava could care less. i guess i would prefer to not have it on at all..

[kristi sauer]

I hardly ever watch TV, if I do it is to learn something..Discovery, History, Animal Planet, Travel Channel. The only show I "watch" is Grey's Anatomy and I am not devout...I only caught the first 3 episodes this year!
I do sometimes like it on as background noise though...
E watches too much TV, but listens to music much more often

[kristi sauer]

I hardly ever watch TV, if I do it is to learn something..Discovery, History, Animal Planet, Travel Channel. The only show I "watch" is Grey's Anatomy and I am not devout...I only caught the first 3 episodes this year!
I do sometimes like it on as background noise though...
E watches too much TV, but listens to music much more often

[jenny]

tucker didn't have much interest in the tv until he was about 15 months old. the oddest things catch his attention (like westerns or football games). anyways, the tv is usually on and on in the background. the one thing tucker really likes is the movie 'cars'. if i need to get ready for work or to go somewhere i will put that on for him, but otherwise he's usually running around playing and whatnot - normal kid stuff. oh - sometimes we put on cmt music video's on the weekend and we dance in the living room together! i have nothing against the tv, but am aware that i don't want him to be glued to the thing. when he gets older i also think he will be encouraged to go do more 'active' things - which i don't think will be any problem.

i have nothing against my kid watching tv. i watched cartoons when i was a kid and nobody was making a big deal out of it then. i think i turned out just fine - i don't think my brain is rotted? :) we don't watch anything inappropriate in front of him and that is the most important thing.

great post! there are people that have really strong opinions about this!

[Mary]

I see nothing wrong with letting kids watch tv. I think it's better to let them watch than to deprive them of it. I also think there's nothing wrong with setting limits in regards to the tv. My guys watches certain things but most of the time the tv is on, he's playing with his back turned to it. I think he likes it as background noise. We watch the news in the morning for a few minutes and then put noggin on while getting ready for work and we have it on after dinner at night. I can definitely do with out cable but there are some shows that I really enjoy and look forward to. We are movie people and rent a lot (or netflix a lot) of movies. When Thomas is older I will probably encourage other things such as playing outside instead of just watching TV and homework will certainly need to be done before TV.......there will be limits. All in all, I grew up with the TV on a lot and I see nothing wrong with it :)

[Leslie Collins]

Honestly, our TV is not on that often. In the morning, I might turn something kid friendly on. Reyna has an interest for about two minutes, then she is off doing something else. Thus far, she is not that in to the TV.

I have nothing against it. I think it would be different if parents were watching violence and vulgar shows in front of their young ones. THat is where I would see a problem.

It would be one thing if you were using it as a "babysitter," but you aren't. I think there are some great educational shows on. Dora and Diego are just fine.

I like TV, but we don't watch a ton. We have our certain shows, but I don't keep it on for background noise. Then again, it wasn't on for background noise when I was younger and I am sure that is why I don't. Once again, nothing wrong with that. :)