Do you let your children watch T.V?

United States
June 20, 2011 7:43am CST
I was just wondering this question becuase my children(4 and 2)watch television in the morning when they wake up for a few hours since they get up at 6:30 and then they watch it for an hour or so before they go to bed.. Is this to much?? I know some families that dont even have t.v's in there houses and i dont know how i would survive without one..lol.. Sounds awful but its true. When my kids are watching some t.v i can actally get stuff done around the house. But during the day my kids are normally outside or playing in there rooms or in our basement with there toys. I was just wondering what some of your parenting techniques are, never hurts to get some more advice.. Thanx for the comments ahead of time!
3 people like this
9 responses
• India
20 Jun 11
I don't have children. Your children watch tv only few hours after getting up and few hours before go to bed! It is certainly not too much! Tv is not a bad thing. Let them see it. But if they'll see it excess, tv will trun to them as idiot box. Its not good to watch tv by stopping our daily routine, so let them see tv, don't alloW them to watch cartoon all the time. Create interest in them on channels like discovery, national geographic etc.
1 person likes this
@asyria51 (2861)
• United States
20 Jun 11
I really try and limit the amount of television that my 2 year old watches in the summer, but I am guilty of the same thing during the school year when I am working. She gets up just as I am trying to get myself ready. I tend to put dora or sesame street on while I finish getting ready and get breakfast made. It tends to be only 30 minutes or so, but it gives me the time to finish getting the family out the door. Currently, my daughter is only watching about an hour a day of TV.
• United States
20 Jun 11
thanks for your comment.. I think we all let our children watch t.v, but the question is how much do we allow them to watch during the day period.
@asyria51 (2861)
• United States
20 Jun 11
I just pulled out my "What to expect the Toddler years" they suggest no more than an hour or so of TV a day. Days when they cannot be outside because of weather, then increase it slightly. According to Dr. Brazelton a child psycologist, a young child should watch no more than 30 minutes in one sitting. but those spread through out the day are okay.
@youless (112164)
• Guangzhou, China
21 Jun 11
It seems your children watch the TV for a little long time since they are just four and two years old. I am surprised to hear that they wake up so early. It is better not to let them watch TV for over an hour. Because it is bad for their eyesight. And the children need more activities rather than staying in the sofa to watch TV. Since today I am not very interested in watching TV, so my child is not addicted to it, too. Usually he will watch a TV program he likes no more than half an hour and that is all. I love China
• United States
21 Jun 11
I agree with you about not letting them watch tv for a couple hours straight but when its in the morning at 6:30 i definitly dont see a problem with that becuase once 8am rolls around we are active the rest of the day so i didnt think my morning routine was bad. Thank you for your comment though, and i am glad you love china!
@raj_gupta (311)
• India
20 Jun 11
The best way to spent a morning is a visit to a park for sure. I can't comment on the number of hours here but don't like the idea of someone putting on the TV when they wake up until and unless its for some specific reason, like some event or some thing unique is going on that's being broadcast. Encourage them to take some ball and go in the open in the morning, its a good thing to do for everyone and if they can make a habit of it now, it may go with them for a long time.
• India
20 Jun 11
Yeah friend i agree with you. Morning should not be spent by watching tv. At morning you should go with park with your children, or its best time to do exercises, yoga. Its good habit to wake up early at 6.30. But use morning time wisely.
1 person likes this
• United States
20 Jun 11
Thank you both for you comments! I didnt think t.v was a bad thing at 6:30 in the morning because i know i sure the heck dont want to go to the park around that time..hahaha.. But we'll see if i get anymore comments like yours and if i do, then i think its time for a change in our morning routine.. Thank you again!
• Philippines
21 Jun 11
Letting your children watch TV for a few hours is not bad at all, as long as you monitor what they're watching. There are programs on TV that children can learn. But you should also allow them to play outside and give them other activities aside from watching TV. What is bad is if their only activity is watching TV the whole day.
• United States
21 Jun 11
I agree with you 100%.. My children are only allowed to watch educational programs and after the morning we are outside or doing something active the rest of the day so its not like my children are sitting in front of the idiot box all day long. I would never tolerate that! children need to be active! Thanx for your advice/comment!
@jonnieke (38)
• Kenya
22 Jun 11
I do allow my two boys to watch televisions after they have completed their tasks i.e their school work and other small household chores. i will allow them to watch it a night when they have exhausted their energy during the day, this will make them to sleep well and wake up the next day feeling fresh. i normally give them 1 hour to watch t.v before they retire to bed..On weekends i do not put limit for them, they can watch it as much as they want..its good to put limits for them so that they may not fall into addiction at early age.
• United States
22 Jun 11
thank you for your comment/advice!
@sizzle3000 (3036)
• United States
20 Jun 11
I used to let my daughter watch cartoons in the morning and sometimes she would watch soaps with me in the afternoon if I wasn't working or if she was with her grandmother. Other than that she was outside playing most of the time. She used to be very active and she wants to be again but right now a lot of her work needs to be done indoors. This is only because she is trying to move her and her husband down here with me and my husband. Hopefully once she gets down here and has a job she'll start getting into shape again and being more active.
• United States
20 Jun 11
my children stay active especially now that its summer, so they can be outside all day since i am a stay at home mom. I make sure that they are very active during the day, but its always nice to let them watch there shows so i can get some work down without any interruptions. Thank you for your advice though, it helps.
@anklesmash (1412)
20 Jun 11
I think it depends on what the children watch on tv and for how long they watch it.I wouldnt let them watch anything inappropriate and for hours and hours however a lot of childrens tv is very educational and may help to stimulate their growing minds this will be beneficial if it dosen't prevent them from doing more acitive activities or other educational activities.
• United States
20 Jun 11
I totally agree thank you for your opinion/advice.
@jaiho2009 (39142)
• Philippines
20 Jun 11
There is nothing wrong for kids to watch tv shows. You just need to guide them with the shows that they are watching,also limit the time. My kids loves to watch tv shows when they are smaller,now that they've grown ups,they seldom watched,but rather watch movies only that they like. You can also sit and watch with your kids and tell them about the show...always prefer a kiddie show or cartoon that are less violent. have a great day and welcome to mylot
• United States
20 Jun 11
Thank you so much for your advice.. was begining to wonder if i was doing something wrong. I lil ones love there cartoons and the ones they watch are very educational with different languages and learning colors and shapes, so i didnt think there was anything wrong with it. So thank you for your advice again.