How much TV?

[mle]

We have had a tv set for less than a year. My husband and I had no intrest in a televison but we got one with a dvd player for an anniversary present. We dont have cable or any tv channels but we have had much enjoyment watching movies, ect. in the evenings.
I have been borrowing dvd's from the library for my son(15 months). From those borrows, we noticed that Bob the Builder is his favorite. So we bought him one last week. He(or maybe I) also like the Baby Einstien series. We got the Baby Motzart one for Christmas.
What do you think? How much time should my little one be spending watching these kinds of programs?
I really would like to get some Veggie Tales or others with Christian influence.
Can anyone suggest some Christian, family type programs?

 

[lucypevensie]

We've been guilty of watching to much TV in our house, I admit. What we're trying to do now is to use TV as a privilege and not a right. It's a reward. In other words, if your toys are picked up and clothes are put away, you may then watch a show or two. I do this too with my internet time. House looks like a tornado ripped through it, then no internet.

As far as kids TV shows go, I think most of the ones on Nick Jr. are fine (Bob the Builder, Blue's Clues, Dora the Explorer). You'd be safe with most videos from a Christian bookstore too. Veggie Tales are good, though at 15 months the stories, lessons, and humor might be over his head. My kids (ages 4 and 6) still don't "get" Veggie Tales. I really don't rely on TV or videos to teach moral lessons. I see TV veiwing as mostly entertainment.

 

[Evening Mist]

I try to limit TV to an hour a day. My school age child probably watches a little less most days because he tends to keep busy. My younger child might watch a little more depending on what is going on. He gets bored while his brother is at school, esp. when it is cold outside.

My big peeve is with advertising, so I don't let them watch anything except videos/dvds or Commercial free public television. I just find it abhorant to think of them sitting staring at advertisements on TV. I don't even allow the Nick Jr. station -- though I'm find with the shows themselves. And I FF the previews on the videos they watch.

Bob the Builder is really sweet. A HUGE favorite for both my kids has been 'Little Bear.' I really love how sweet, and gentle, and family oriented Little Bear is.

 

[Wild_Thrasher]

We would let our boys watch different movies, generally Veggie Tales. Then we began allowing our eldest to watch occassional Nick cartoons as a reward during potty-training.

I knew we had gone overboard when he came running up to me and said, "Daddy!!! Nic Jr. will be right back". That was one of the last times he watched cartoons on TV. I also found that even though I was allowing him to watch TV Cartoons that I thought were acceptable: Blues Clues, Lil' Bill, Dora, etc.. It was the commercials that became an issue for me.


All in all, I would rather have them do puzzles or read books or color than have them sit in front of a TV.

 

[mle]

From what you guys have said I'm really glad we just have the tv(box) and not the stations or channels. I was thinking about it earlier as I was writing this thread....and what about the advertising? It's quite terrible to have young and impressionable minds bombarded with the stuff, and terrible for mothers and fathers too, for that matter, but at least as adults we have the skills to reason that it is advertising and is made to achieve a certian response from people.

 

[Child of The King]

Our family has been relying on videos for approx. 10 years now. Feature films for families have some great movies. We have purchased some of the old tv series ( Andy Griffith, Beverly Hillbillies, Petticoat Junction etc. ) and they love them. As far as how much tv time. The little ones prefer playing but they do enjoy Strawberry Shortcake, Veggietales, and Focus on the family have some great kid shows out too. Usually 1/2 hour a day and the older ones get to watch an hour ( sometimes a little more depending on the situation) on weekdays and we all do movie and pizza night on Saturdays. We get a cartoon to start it off with the pizza ( then the little ones go to bed) and then the 2 older ones and we parents get to watch the movie. It's really great and the children actually are more creative without too much tv influence. That's just my view but it works really well for my family. Have a wonderful Jesus filled day and may God richly bless.
Tammy

 

[theatrejunkie]

Limit it as much as possible. Please don't use your television as an easy babysitter. I don't know how I'll handle it when I have kids because there are movies and television shows I'll enjoy sharing with my kids, but I'm going to do whatever I can to prevent butt rott on the couch.

And just for the record, I'd like to say that you should NOT buy your kids those cheapy Disney seuqels, like LION KING 1 1/2 or LADY AND THE TRAMP 2. I know this sounds stupid, but those are quickly tossed together to make a quick buck on low, low quality. If you're going to buy movies for you kids, buy the good stuff--CINDERELLA, THE LION KING, LADY AND THE TRAMP, etc. Think of your television as a library of sorts. Just as you don't want to give your kids junk to read (like romance novels or dime-store mysteries), you want to use tv time as a chance to give them quality. The English teacher in me believes in using every moment as a moment of learning and depth, including film night.

 

[mamaneenie]

My son loves Bear in the Big Blue house, Thomas the Tank Engine and a few good Aussie kids shows. He likes Vegie tales. As someone else suggested, he doesn't really understand the story lines as yet, but the movement and the music he likes. He will sit and watch a bit of vegie tales. If you want to buy your 15mth old son a vegie tales video, go for it. Daniel had his given to him for Christmas when he was 13 mo.

 

[HeatherJay]

My 5 year old loves Veggie Tales, even though she doesn't quite understand the humor...my husband and I both think the humor is hilarious. There's one about Joshua and the Walls of Jericho that cracks me up every time! And the songs are just fun.

Little Bear is wonderful! I agree with Evening. They're so calming and sweet and innocent. I highly recommend them.

I have little girly girls and they both love the Barbie movies...especially the two ballet ones, Nutcracker and Swan Lake. They also love the Strawberry Shortcake movies.

Love, Heather

 

[LadySaint]

I agree with theaterjunkie...

Try to limit the tv and don't use it as an easy babysitter. Instill the love of books and reading to them. Challenge them with games, legos. etc.... thinking skills.

 

[mle]

I have to admit that I have used the tv a a sitter. In the morning my husband hits the shower and I go jogging. We sit him in his high chair/booster seat(so he cannot get into anything while our backs are turned-he is safe and cannot get out) and put on a show for him whith breakfast foods and a cup of milk or juice on his tray. Our home is very small. It is a two small roomed cottage and I'm not talking about two bedrooms, well, three rooms including the bathroom. So my husband could hear if the little one was having a problem.
I do not feel bad about using the tv in this way because he is content and it is for a short period of time. I provide him with a dvd, that we have watched together before. I know the material will not be questionable and the advertising will be minamal.
I need to get some exercise before my husband leaves for work. He needs to get ready for work and it seems like this has been a good way for us to deal with it so far.
I hope you guys don't think I'm a bad mom!

 

[HeatherJay]

I have to admit that I have used the tv a a sitter. In the morning my husband hits the shower and I go jogging. We sit him in his high chair/booster seat(so he cannot get into anything while our backs are turned-he is safe and cannot get out) and put on a show for him whith breakfast foods and a cup of milk or juice on his tray. Our home is very small. It is a two small roomed cottage and I'm not talking about two bedrooms, well, three rooms including the bathroom. So my husband could hear if the little one was having a problem.
I do not feel bad about using the tv in this way because he is content and it is for a short period of time. I provide him with a dvd, that we have watched together before. I know the material will not be questionable and the advertising will be minamal.
I need to get some exercise before my husband leaves for work. He needs to get ready for work and it seems like this has been a good way for us to deal with it so far.
I hope you guys don't think I'm a bad mom!

You sound like a wonderful mom! My kids watch more TV than they should (much more than your little one) but it's something that we're getting away from. Growing up in a home where the TV was constantly on (as I did when I was a child), it's hard to accustom yourself to the peace and quiet of a home without all that background noise. But we do encourage LOTS of books, games, blocks, drawing, painting, play-doh, etc. Allowing TV doesn't make you a bad mom...ignoring your kids by planting them in front of a TV all day long does, though.

This forum is full of wonderful, loving parents. I'm so blessed to be surrounded by so many great people! *hugs*

Love, Heather

 

[mamaneenie]

I have to admit that I have used the tv a a sitter. In the morning my husband hits the shower and I go jogging. We sit him in his high chair/booster seat(so he cannot get into anything while our backs are turned-he is safe and cannot get out) and put on a show for him whith breakfast foods and a cup of milk or juice on his tray. Our home is very small. It is a two small roomed cottage and I'm not talking about two bedrooms, well, three rooms including the bathroom. So my husband could hear if the little one was having a problem.
I do not feel bad about using the tv in this way because he is content and it is for a short period of time. I provide him with a dvd, that we have watched together before. I know the material will not be questionable and the advertising will be minamal.
I need to get some exercise before my husband leaves for work. He needs to get ready for work and it seems like this has been a good way for us to deal with it so far.
I hope you guys don't think I'm a bad mom!

Oh not at all, In fact my 2 you is watching a video as we speak. It just gives me time out. We all need it occasionally. Also, since he is little, do you sometimes take him for walks in the pram so you can get some exercise that way. Just a thought. Although I see no problem with letting him watch telly so you can do something for yourself. After all, I am a firm believer in looking after yourself so you can look after your family.

 

[mle]

Thanks for your support! This is my first baby and as a new parent I find myself analyzing everything. I want the best for him.
Yes we go outside for walks sometimes. Morning exercise is a new thing for me. I feel the need to get fit before I think about having another one!

 

[mamaneenie]

Thanks for your support! This is my first baby and as a new parent I find myself analyzing everything. I want the best for him.
Yes we go outside for walks sometimes. Morning exercise is a new thing for me. I feel the need to get fit before I think about having another one!

Lol, me too! I am doing aerobics tapes after D goes to bed. Everyone wants the best for their kids. D is 2 now, and I still wonder if I am doing the right thing. At the end of the day, he knows I love him, and that is what counts. (in fact, he told me he loves me a few days ago. He said "yuv you" so so sweet)

 

[tonya]

I THINK MODERATION IS THE KEY HERE...MACY WATCHES THE NOGGIN CHANNEL...SASAME STREET, LITTLE BEAR, ETC. WE ALSO AHVE BARNEY VIDEOS AND BABY EINSTEIN...LOTS OF THESE VIDEOS ARE INTERACTIVE SO I SIT DOWN WITH HER AND WE WATCH AND LEARN TOGTHER...BUT WE ALSO PLAY OUTSIDE,PUZZLES,READ,ETC.

 

[Melbelle]

We have had a tv set for less than a year. My husband and I had no intrest in a televison but we got one with a dvd player for an anniversary present. We dont have cable or any tv channels but we have had much enjoyment watching movies, ect. in the evenings.
I have been borrowing dvd's from the library for my son(15 months). From those borrows, we noticed that Bob the Builder is his favorite. So we bought him one last week. He(or maybe I) also like the Baby Einstien series. We got the Baby Motzart one for Christmas.
What do you think? How much time should my little one be spending watching these kinds of programs?
I really would like to get some Veggie Tales or others with Christian influence.
Can anyone suggest some Christian, family type programs?

I was watching something on Tv today about toddels watching tv alot and they said its a proven fact that starting you toddeler watch tv more then 3hours watching tv they have a higher risk of getting HDD or something like that.

 

[mle]

really? wow.
Do you think that is because everthing on tv happens so fast and it's so stimulating they get bored without it?

 

[psychoceramic]

at our house my daughter who is seven watches maybe seven hours of videos in three days and one night.

we dont have cable... and we either watch movies... or children videos. if not watching "tv" we are reading... doing arts and crafts or other family stuff.



in HIM,
psycho

 

[Crofter]

I used to wonder how parents managed to teach their babies/toddlers to sit still and watch tv! I even asked some mums when my daughter was small.. the mums juat gave me strange look.

Then my son was born. My son was born talented at sitting still and watching tv.. it was a real blessing to have a child who was so prepared to give me a little break from time to time.