TV Viewing
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Category: General Chat
Forum Name: General Chat
Forum Description: For mums, dads, parents-to-be, grandparents, friends -- you name it! And you name the topic you want to chat about!
URL: https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=31170
Printed Date: 10 November 2025 at 4:22am
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Topic: TV Viewing
Posted By: FionaS
Subject: TV Viewing
Date Posted: 26 January 2010 at 8:37am
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I am interested to hear how much TV / DVD watching you deem acceptable for your kids?
How much time would they spend watching? Playing on their own? Playing with you (most applicable if you just have 1 or have very young kids I guess).  ------------- Mummy to Gabrielle and Ashley |
Replies:
Posted By: JessDub
Date Posted: 26 January 2010 at 8:52am
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I would be interested to know too. DS is an early riser so we put on Sky's Playhouse channel - which he adores - and will watch/play with his toys and books in front of it - for a couple of hours.
The rest of the day we're doing stuff, either playing or he is happy 'helping' me while I'm in the kitchen etc. The telly will go on in the afternoon for an hour or so after his nap as he usually wakes up grumpy but he doesn't really watch it intently, it's just on while he plays with his stuff. I was always going to be a NO TV mum but DS gets so much pleasure from some of the characters (Bear in the Big Blue House) and to be honest, I cannot entertain him every minute of the day, especially in the early morning. ------------- 
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Posted By: Bizzy
Date Posted: 26 January 2010 at 9:12am
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i wish my kids wouldnt watch any tv... cause if they are watcing kids programmes i cant watch my programmes LOL!
in the holidays it is heaps, and when they are sick i let them watch movies all day if they want... during school term i dont let them have it on in the morning cause nobody gets ready on time. and even tho the holidays havent been that long i cant remember if i turn it on much in the day when it is just me and eden. ------------- http://www.myfitnesspal.com/weight-loss-ticker"> 
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Posted By: MissAngel
Date Posted: 26 January 2010 at 9:28am
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When Thomas is home we have TVNZ6 on with all the kiddy programmes from 6am-6pm. Its always on for background noise - i dont listen to the radio. Thomas will only really sit there and watch postman pat and spongebob, but other than that he doesnt actually pay attention to it!
Bizzy - yay for your sig, 1 week to go! I cant wait for the neighbours kids to go back to school :P ------------- Alex, Thomas and Lily http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> 
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Posted By: xLUCKYx
Date Posted: 26 January 2010 at 9:34am
My kids (1 and 2) don't even have an attention span for TV they are just too busy and more interested in what I'm doing. They are my 'un'-helpers 
I will chuck on a dvd for them or kidzone in the afternoons but it usually is just a bit of background noise or they will be absorbed for 10 minutes before they get bored and do something else. I find it acceptable for them to watch as most of what they are watching is educational. If they were totally absorbed in TV I would probably limit it a bit more but at this stage I am not worried. |
Posted By: monikah
Date Posted: 26 January 2010 at 10:27am
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my baby is only really young so he has never watched TV but the rule in our house (and DH is set on it too so wont be changing no matter what) is no TV before the kids are 2. so Mack will probably be 3 since its a bit hard for one kid to be allowed TV and the other not. I dont watch TV when he is out of bed anyway so he doesnt even really know it exists and couldnt care less. he amuses himself really easily with or without toys so once he is big enoughfor puzzles, playdough, drawing etc.. i dont think he'll care about TV at all.
They allowed to watch as much cartoons on a Saturday morning as he wants thgouh cos that is what me and DH had and it was awesome. probably no more than one program per weekday though. we have lots of friends who wither dont let their kids watch TV or dont have a TV in the house at all so its pretty normal to us. I also used to look after my sisters kids full time and the rules were the same, pretty much no TV except maybe a program a day, we spent all our time doing activities together and i'd just study and catch up on chores when they were asleep or playing on their own ------------- 
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Posted By: Joscia
Date Posted: 26 January 2010 at 10:36am
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We're similar to Monikah - we don't really watch TV either. It's downstairs and out of the way. DH will watch maybe 1-2 hours of TV per week - normally on his own - but that's about it. We do watch quite a few movies though - maybe 2-3 a week, but not til after DS is in bed.
DS doesn't really know it exists! When he gets a bit older I am quite keen for him to watch some of the old TV shows / movies that we loved as kids (Fraggle Rock, Muppet Show, Labyrinth etc) but I imagine they will be 'special treat' kind of things - maybe once a week... ------------- http://alterna-tickers.com"> 
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Posted By: jaz
Date Posted: 26 January 2010 at 10:50am
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Firstborn was strictly one hour screen time per day including TV, DVD's, computer, playstation or ds, right up until teenage years hit.
Secondborn - this has completely gone out the window and it is more like an hour or so mid afternoon as quiet time then during dinner or if I can hold out that long, post bath (6.30pm) until bedtime. We often turn the TV on early morning and snuggle up watching playhouse disney and/or reading books in the weekends and this can end up extending until mid or late morning. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: caitlynsmygirl
Date Posted: 26 January 2010 at 10:59am
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Caitlyn watches tv, she turns it on herself, she goes on the computer etc , I don't care if she watches it for more than an hour , as long as she spends an equal amount of time outside playing ------------- 
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Posted By: Jam08
Date Posted: 26 January 2010 at 10:59am
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We are the same as Monikah and Joscia. We don't watch a lot of tv so ds doesn't really know it exists.
DH usually turns the tv on just before 7 to watch the weather and sometimes it stays on but usually we get sick of it soon after and it's off for the night. Now and then we might check out the movies that are on. Bubs is only 9 months old but I can't see us changing and turing the telly on especially for him. He easily entertains himself and we do things together. To be honest we don't really have any time to sit and watch tv during the day. To much to do round here! |
Posted By: Raspberryjam
Date Posted: 26 January 2010 at 11:40am
Bout the same with me really , we do the wiggles, the go show - My girl tunes into anything with music but not much else. Not so keen on those asian fighting kinda things - like transformers or anything but I dont think they are on the 'baby' channels ------------- http://lilypie.com] 
http://lilypie.com] 
http://lilypie.com] 
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xXELAx wrote:Posted By: blondy
Date Posted: 26 January 2010 at 11:55am
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We do tend to have the tv on as background, but apart from the music/dancing shows (like wiggles, hi-5 etc), Nat tends to prefer playing outside most of the time anyway. Even if she asks to watch something, more often than not she'll get bored and go find something else to entertain herself with.
I would have the tv on intermittently for my watching anyway during the day I grew up in a house where we did watch heaps of tv, but tbh i don't see how it has hindered either my sister or I! I control what is on it, and Nat only watches dvd's or tvnz6/playhouse disney which are all vaguely educational.  -------------  
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Posted By: Mum2ET
Date Posted: 26 January 2010 at 12:00pm
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Ella only really watches DVDs- normally for 1/2 hr in the morning after breakfast (while I get ready for the day) and 1/2 hr around 5 (while I cook dinner). Apart from that I don't like to have the TV on during the day. exceptions are when she is sick or when the weather is really bad and we curl up and watch part of the movie together. ------------- Mum to Ella (5) and Tom (2) |
Posted By: Bizzy
Date Posted: 26 January 2010 at 12:28pm
Thats a bit of a contradiction isnt it? ------------- http://www.myfitnesspal.com/weight-loss-ticker">
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Posted By: .Mel
Date Posted: 26 January 2010 at 1:29pm
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My kids can watch as much tv as they want, I couldnt' care less.
They are hardly inside anyway, so if it's on, it's on... otherwise the stereo is on... ------------- Mr Mellow (16) Miss Attitude (8) Destructa Kid (3) 
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Posted By: monikah
Date Posted: 26 January 2010 at 1:33pm
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not really. weekends are for mucking round and stuff. and we try go on an outing each weekend as a family (normally sat afternoon) ie. park, pool, zoo, library etc...
i do think adults need some time to do stuff ie. lawns, decent clean up of house, things that dont really get done during the week cos of work and sutff. kids arent allowed out of their room til 7 and it would be off again by 12 and i think 5 hours of tv at the very most is less than a lot of kids watch. i totally dont mind how much TV other kids watch or what other parents rules are, this is just the way we want to do it. -------------
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Posted By: MindyW
Date Posted: 26 January 2010 at 1:56pm
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I think that its the parents choice, whether your kids watch T.V or not doesnt make you a good or bad parent - each to their own ------------- My Beautiful Little Emily http://lilypie.com"> 
We've Waited for You Forever! |
Posted By: Bizzy
Date Posted: 26 January 2010 at 4:17pm
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wow monikah - dont take this the wrong way but you sound like a strict parent. have you got a plan for what to do if the kids dont want to stay in their room till 7? ------------- http://www.myfitnesspal.com/weight-loss-ticker">
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Posted By: Raspberryjam
Date Posted: 26 January 2010 at 4:33pm
I like the structure of what you do - at what age did it work to give them 'rules' . We have number 2 on the way - I dont want a free for all once I have a couple or three. ------------- http://lilypie.com]
http://lilypie.com]
http://lilypie.com]
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Posted By: Bombshell
Date Posted: 26 January 2010 at 4:50pm
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she watches HI 5 most mornings if up in time....otherwise tv is just on in bedroom while we are getting ready....
afternoons if tired she will ask for a dvd..otherwise none really...dvd is usually watched for 10 - 20 mins if that and then she is off doing other things...she will watch a whole movie on way to beach in car tho....kinda force her to do it for my sake LOL! we dont have sky and i refuse to get it - esp the cartoon network - believe it or not we have a kid at DC who has an american accent from watching too much of it before she started at DC! ugh!!!! |
Posted By: freckle
Date Posted: 26 January 2010 at 5:04pm
I sooo believe it... when I worked with special needs kids I had a few kiddies on my caseload that were suspected to be on the autistic spectrum due to FAR to many hours in front of TV - they truely were extreme cases though!! like morning to night kinda thing  and yep they had the accent and very few social skills...
DD2 watches Hi5 if we're up then loses interest after that... she often turns the tv off herself when it finishes... then late afternoon she'll watch wiggles or a DVD. She's not to into TV really... ------------- mum to 3 lovely girls :D |
Posted By: FionaS
Date Posted: 26 January 2010 at 5:07pm
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Elle has an American accent and she doesn't watch heaps and heaps of TV.... ------------- Mummy to Gabrielle and Ashley |
Posted By: freckle
Date Posted: 26 January 2010 at 5:16pm
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Fiona the children I was talking about had many other difficulties relating to their social skills and language development.... most their language was learnt from the television so they had no idea how to engage people using language. I was not insinuating that every child who uses an accent watches too much TV or that every child who watches lots of TV will have difficulties... these were extreme cases... ------------- mum to 3 lovely girls :D |
Posted By: FionaS
Date Posted: 26 January 2010 at 5:23pm
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No worries, didn't read it that way :) ------------- Mummy to Gabrielle and Ashley |
Posted By: monikah
Date Posted: 26 January 2010 at 6:19pm
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we are kinda strict. we have a couple of main rules being only a little TV and no junk and packet foods with exceptions for parties and stuff. for us we think 7am is a resonable time to either sleep til or play till. DS sleeps til 7.30 at the moment and if he does wake earlier we hear him talking in his cot. both boys will be in one room and we'll leave a few toys in there so once they are bigger hopefully they'll play til 7ish. i get up at that time 7 days a week so they'll never be in there later than that.
dont get me wrong though.we are willing to change certain things. if it doesnt work it doesnt work and thats cool. it was never a problem with the older kids so that is what we are going off. i guess its hard to work out what you think is the best thing for you depending on how you grew up and what the ppl around you are like. most our friends are stricter than us on a lot of things so compared to them we seem quite leniant but then against others it seems real mean. thats why i make sure i dont hassle what others do cos everyone is in such different situations -------------
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Posted By: ElfsMum
Date Posted: 26 January 2010 at 6:22pm
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We have watched it all the way through..for me to feed and keep awake..lol and he never cared one bit till about 16 months,....then it was the wiggles and now he will watch the wiggles, go show, and a few other things..it is often on in the background..particularly as i have got more pregnant and less able to do stuff.. he will be watching less when we move (next week) and once I'm not pregnant..the week after:) so yeah although i worry a little he spends a lot of time outside and 2 mornings at school and at least one playing at someones house so I'm ok with it..
as the others said each to their own i guess... i know of the studies but it certainly hasnt stunted E's imagination or speech/socialisation so I'm happy:) ------------- Mum to two amazing boys! |
Posted By: cuppatea
Date Posted: 26 January 2010 at 6:49pm
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I put the wot wots on after breakfast (I have it recorded cos it's the one show Spencer is obsessed with) so that I can have my coffee in peace, although this doesn't always work as sometimes one or both follow me around to the computer, or they start fighting and i have to go back round to the lounge where Kyle repeatedly screams for and tries to grab my coffee..*sigh*.
We have also been using it as a potty training aid as Spencer will sit on the potty and watch a whole episode of the wot wots and it's a bit of a reward/bribe for doing so. I will also put it on at other times if need be, i.e need to get something done and the boys are not entertaining themselves (Kyle doesn't really pay any attention to it though anyway), or if they are sick or sometimes i will put it on if Spencer wakes from his afternoon nap with the grumps. I would think 2 hours a day is fine, for most families of young kids it would be spread across the day in bits and pieces and most toddlers I know don't watch for that long anyway before they get bored and find something else to do. Monikah, two boys in a room alone until 7am. Hmmmmm I'm not sure that is gonna work for you, mine would kill each other fighting over the toys and when either of mine wake up they want food ASAP and there is no waiting till a specific time to get it. ------------- 
 
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Posted By: monikah
Date Posted: 26 January 2010 at 6:53pm
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yup, totally possible. lol. i have a mate who said they were fine but it is definitly a case of wait and see. like i said. im more than willing to change if it doesnt work :) and if they can get out of their room without me needing to open the door then they welcome to it until i get up as long as they arent knackered during the day from getting up too early. lol -------------
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Posted By: mamanee
Date Posted: 26 January 2010 at 6:58pm
If Sam could open his door without me needing to and I stayed in bed he would totally destroy my whole house. Sadly, staying in bed until 7AM is a luxury most parents don't get to enjoy! |
Posted By: cuppatea
Date Posted: 26 January 2010 at 7:04pm
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There is no way I would leave my 2.5 year old and 1 year old "to it" whilst I was in bed, that's just crazy and our house is relatively child proof/safe and I say relatively because pretty much everyday they find something new to get into, climb on top of or pull down. Plus they fight over everything, I pretty much have to be on stand by to break them up because neither of them understands the concept of sharing yet (well the older one kind of does but not 100%) and they always want the toy the other one has even though there are 50 billion toys in this house. Today they had a fight over a toy box and a peg amongst other things. oh and Kyle got near whilst I was changing Spencer and I got "NO BUBBA, SPENCER'S BUM" accompanied by him trying to kick Kyle out of the way.
If your kids share a room whilst awake and play happily together till 7am when they are toddlers/babies I will be amazed, honestly. Not having a go, just there is no way it would ever be able to happen in this house and everyone i know with two close together has the same issues I have with mine. -------------
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Posted By: freckle
Date Posted: 26 January 2010 at 7:52pm
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LOL my wee one would completely destroy her room without the help of a sibling if I left her alone in the morning... seriously last night she got herself completely naked and went on a book destroying mission in her room when she was suppose to be sleeping
Cuppatea - we've been using the wotwots for potty training too  ------------- mum to 3 lovely girls :D |
Posted By: Bizzy
Date Posted: 26 January 2010 at 7:54pm
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i think when mine were that age it didnt happen cause the 2nd child was a horror sleeper, he would wake about 5/6am screaming HELP! and it was time to get up. Now they are 4 and 6 when they get in their room at night and they arent tired they create one hell of a mess. I have been reduced to removing all the toys from their room... it seems to be the only time they can reliably play together without fighting! *sigh*! ------------- http://www.myfitnesspal.com/weight-loss-ticker">
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Posted By: monikah
Date Posted: 26 January 2010 at 8:16pm
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i wouldnt leave a 2 and 1 year old roaming the house. im not crazy. lol. once they can get out of their room they will be quite a bit older (should have clarifyed) they have quite a high door handle and neither of them would be able to get anywhere near it at that age. lol. the only reason i say im willing to give it a try is becuase DH and his brother (18 months apart) used to stay in their room til 8 (which i think is way too mean) and talked or play with toys til their mum got up and never destroyed the place, and i have a friend with a 12 month age gap who are now 4 & 5 and they have done it, and another mate with kids 2 years apart who have all done it with minimal problems. i didnt realise how many ppl had problems and im more than willing to accept its more likely that ill have problems than not this is just based on what i have heard from friends IRL. sorry to have thread jacked, it was totally unintentional and i didnt realise that it would cause such a stir -------------
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Posted By: freckle
Date Posted: 26 January 2010 at 8:24pm
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Monikah - I think you have the right attitude... give it a go and if it doesn't work try something else. It would be lovely if it does work and you get to stay in bed until 7! I just get too paranoid when Holly is playing alone and quiet cos she has to be up to something.... Plus if I did shut her door she is very good at stacking toys at the door to reach the handle LOL ------------- mum to 3 lovely girls :D |
Posted By: pepsi
Date Posted: 26 January 2010 at 8:26pm
My answer is a consists of this:
And this:
Thanks for making it easy for me ladies
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Posted By: mamanee
Date Posted: 26 January 2010 at 8:52pm
Ditto Also: No TV = mummy loses her mind |
Posted By: cuppatea
Date Posted: 26 January 2010 at 8:59pm
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I think I fell in love with my TV when I needed to breastfeed a newborn and entertain a 19 month old.
mamanee I find some of the kids shows make me lose my mind, like in the night garden 
Monikah I don't think you caused a stir, like I say, it just never would happen in this house. My boys do play nice together a lot of the time as well but I couldn't see them being able to stay in a room together unsupervised till 7am without a fight happening. Mine can also reach all the door handles and open all the doors except the external ones cos they are locked. Plus once awake, which is anytime between 5.30-7am, they want food immediately, downside of having two good eaters -------------
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Posted By: Daizy
Date Posted: 26 January 2010 at 9:51pm
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I really dont mind the girls watching the TV at all.
I used to have it on in the background during the day (9-3 on Nik Junior) and it was usually only ever Hi-5 that Keira would stop to watch. It was so handy in those last few months of being pregnant and the first few months with a newborn. Now we are down to the 3 channels so there's not that much for them to watch, I quite like that, I have been enjoying the peace without the TV on all day. The watch a wee bit in the morning while we are getting ready, its great at keeping them occupied while I am in the shower and when I am showering a dressing the other child. They also love to watch the 3 o'clock shows, which is great for getting them have 30 minutes of quiet time and giving mummy a break before the kayos of dinner time. We were really gutted when they stopped playing The Zoo in the mornings. I loved getting that extra half hour in bed in the holidays. The girls usually wait for each other to wake up and then Keira lets them both out. They come say good morning then will go and watch TV until we get up. They are pretty good at not destroying the house, luckily I can still see them from my bed. If they get hungry Keira will get them some bread ------------- 
 
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Posted By: FionaS
Date Posted: 26 January 2010 at 10:06pm
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I have a child who would pretty much stand dead still in front of the TV for the entire day if allowed to. I find it easy to turn it on whenever I want to get something done around the house but am trying to regulate it. I sometimes fear the stimulation of the TV will make her sleep disorder worse. I find TV to be an easy solution but don't want to over-do it. I'm trying to keep it to a couple of programmes in the morning and again in the PM. She asks for TV / DVDs a zillion times a day!! ------------- Mummy to Gabrielle and Ashley |
Posted By: Aquarius
Date Posted: 26 January 2010 at 10:30pm
careful.....this is debateful territory. you will have mums of special needs kids come down on you like a ton of bricks. ------------- http://www.magicalkingdoms.com/timers/"> 
mum to mr 16 & mr 10 |
Posted By: peanut butter
Date Posted: 26 January 2010 at 11:01pm
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My kids watch far too much TV But seriously...we have days when its not on and then we have days when I am going to lose my mind and it has to be on to diffuse the tension. I thought Tom was addicted....then came James. That boy LOVES TV.
I tend to have it on in the morning while we are all waking up (read..while I am waking up) and then I let Tom watch a DVD while I put James to sleep. then I try to turn it off so I can spend some time with Tom. If I am lucky it might stay off for the rest of the day. More often than not it doesnt. I dont really mind the TV being on. I am very selective in what they watch and they only watch DVDs, playhouse disney or TV6. Recently I decided to ban TV as I was sick to death of Tom complaining about every single thing that was on so I said "fine...no TV" I lasted a week and then I pulled out a DVD in desperation. If the are tried, grumpy etc I will often put something on. Tom loves Mamma Mia so that gets played a lot. It will often stop a tantrum. James LOVES the wiggles and stands up and dances. I think that is so cute I just have to put the DVD on for him. I know a lot of people say TV is akin to brain damage in under 2s but I reckon Tom has learnt to count from number jacks....and he is starting to spell!!!!!! I'm wondering if Word World is responsible for that. He is obsessed with words. He can spell his name, James, Mummy, Daddy. cat, bat, Nic, nicole, donna, and, the.....So no brain damage here. I guess its each to their own. Parenting is not a perfect world. And Monikah...good luck, like most of the others...my kids would kill each other, destroy the house and build elaborate structures to reach door handles.
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Posted By: caitlynsmygirl
Date Posted: 27 January 2010 at 1:01am
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haha, if you saw what DVDs Caitlyn puts on , you would think I was a terrible parent , maybe even person .
So I wont tell you , some of you seem to like me ! *cough* fools *cough* -------------
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Posted By: lizzle
Date Posted: 27 January 2010 at 6:54am
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My kids watch lots of dvds which i prefer to tv to be honest. The bit about tv that annoys me is the ads. then i get, "mum, can we go to mcdonalds?" and tantrums when i say "no" and some of the ads are not suitable for kids their age. I saw some movies being advertised and had some "interesting" questions to answer from Jake.
in saying that, they watch Spongebob on tv - only cause the dvd we have is sooooooooooo overplayed, it drives me insane. |
Posted By: peanut butter
Date Posted: 27 January 2010 at 7:37am
| Thats what annoys me about TV1 in the morning. I like to watch breakfast...but I get annoyed at all the ads for Criminal Minds etc that are way to violent for little eyes. I figure if they cant play the program, why can they advertise it. |
Posted By: freckle
Date Posted: 27 January 2010 at 8:03am
sorry I'm unsure why? The children with special needs whom I am referring to were very thorougly assessed by myself and the rest of the early intervention in which I worked, with many observations of there home environment to observe behaviour and ascertain probable causal factors. Children with special needs are a very heterogeneous population and one child having developmental difficulties due to lack of social interaction and over exposure to television no way implies that all other children with special needs are subject to the same environment... ------------- mum to 3 lovely girls :D |
Posted By: X
Date Posted: 27 January 2010 at 8:25am
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DS is allowed about half an hour to an hour of playhouse disney or a kids dvd in the morning while I am getting showered & ready for my day. He then gets another half an hour around 5pm while I prepare his dinner.
He is one of those kids who is glued to the tv, so I don't have it on any other time during the day. DH used to let him watch a few minutes before bed too, but I have stopped that & now we do a quiet activity like building puzzles before he goes & has his story & goes to bed. I don't think there is anything wrong with a limited amount of quality kids tv-it's all about moderation. I don't agree with sticking your kid in front of the telly 24/7 so you can do your own thing. I used to be one of those "my kid will never watch tv" mums but really it's not realistic, sometimes you need half an hour to get things done. Also, I think tv contributes to their development-if your kid NEVER watches tv how will he know about the characters etc which are part of our culture? My sisters & I were those kids who watched WAY too much tv, some of it not suitable for children, & all of us have university educations-one of us is an Optometrist & one a Doctor, so it can't have done us too much harm? I think as with most things moderation is the key. ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: ellabellame
Date Posted: 27 January 2010 at 9:18am
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i grew up without a tv in the house and as soon as i moved out of home one of the first things i bought (before a bed even lol) was a tv! i now watch less tv than i did but for a while i just wanted to watch tv constantly before i'd never been able to before.
mikey watches tv, maybe a bit much so lately i have been trying to limit it. he gets up in the morning and turns it on himself (playhouse disney channel, i don't like him to watch the cartoons with fighting in them) and then watches it through breakfast until about 8.30-9am. he also usually watches a bit in the evening while i'm trying to get dinner ready. i save dvds for when it's raining, it rains a lot here so i need something special to keep him entertained. on lovely sunny days the tv stays off all day. maia doesn't really notice the tv yet, even when it's on she just ignores it. i think it's each to their own though. personally i found the tv a lifesaver when i had crippling morning sickness, and then again when i was breastfeeding maia because it kept mikey entertained. ------------- |
Posted By: Raspberryjam
Date Posted: 27 January 2010 at 10:47am
I completely agree with you aquarius, Im sure my brother would have a lot to say about this as his son is autistic. A 12 hour shift is just completely incomparable to life with a child with special needs. I have a heart child and while I would never interfere with what the doctors think is best for her health, sometimes Mum knows best ------------- http://lilypie.com]
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Posted By: lilfatty
Date Posted: 27 January 2010 at 11:32am
I think Im just going to sit and watch this one .... ------------- Mummy to Issy (3) and Elias (18 months) I did it .. 41 kgs gone! From flab to fab in under a year  http://www.femininefitness.co.nz/category/blog - LFs weight blog
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Posted By: Bizzy
Date Posted: 27 January 2010 at 12:23pm
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no i did what i rarely do and changed my mind!
oh and yes that does mean that i deleted what i had originally said! ------------- http://www.myfitnesspal.com/weight-loss-ticker">
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Posted By: caitlynsmygirl
Date Posted: 27 January 2010 at 12:28pm
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Me too especially since Im the sibling of a special needs kid,(autism and developmental delay ) and I thought Freckle's explanation of what she meant (the kids she specifically was referring too ) was enough for me to know she didn't mean every special needs kid .
So apart from that comment , i'll join you too LF , are you drinking ? want some wine ? I know its 12pm but somewhere in the world its midnight...are you drinking ? or would you prefer water ? I have water .... -------------
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Posted By: caitlynsmygirl
Date Posted: 27 January 2010 at 12:29pm
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Darn you Bizzy , you posted too fast !
...want a drink too ? -------------
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Posted By: lilfatty
Date Posted: 27 January 2010 at 12:32pm
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I dont drink .. water will do me fine ------------- Mummy to Issy (3) and Elias (18 months) I did it .. 41 kgs gone! From flab to fab in under a year http://www.femininefitness.co.nz/category/blog - LFs weight blog
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Posted By: caitlynsmygirl
Date Posted: 27 January 2010 at 12:33pm
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coming up , pass the popcorn -------------
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Posted By: lilfatty
Date Posted: 27 January 2010 at 12:39pm
I've only got chocolate (apparently), i couldnt find the popcorn, however I cant have either .. so ill pass you the lot  ------------- Mummy to Issy (3) and Elias (18 months) I did it .. 41 kgs gone! From flab to fab in under a year http://www.femininefitness.co.nz/category/blog - LFs weight blog
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Posted By: Caro07
Date Posted: 27 January 2010 at 12:49pm
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Interesting topic. We don't have Sky or Freeview so childrens TV is pretty limited in this house. If TV is on DS might watch it for a few minutes and then potter off for something else. I tend to try and not have TV on during the day, as for me it is sometimes just a habit and for background noise. ------------- Caroline, SAHM to 2 boys, S (4 years old) and J (2 years old) 
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Posted By: kiwisj
Date Posted: 27 January 2010 at 1:22pm
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We have the TV on all morning some days and others we go for weeks without watching anything. I'm not a massive fan of putting Callum in front of the telly for any length of time but then perhaps I am just lucky I don't need to at the moment.
I did recently discover though that Playschool (we get the Aussie version) is a great way to calm things down in the afternoon if he's getting a bit overexcited before tea time. I think it's just that it's so slow-moving and they only do one thing at a time. And he LOVES the singing. ------------- SJ Callum - Dec 2008 Daniel - Oct 2010 |
Posted By: Aquarius
Date Posted: 27 January 2010 at 1:28pm
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ohhhh..feels like i have the floor..
but sorry i go... my autistic boy needs to watch TV and play computer games at the same time...hes clever like that ------------- http://www.magicalkingdoms.com/timers/">
mum to mr 16 & mr 10 |
Posted By: Nikki
Date Posted: 27 January 2010 at 1:35pm
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Jake is a bit of a TV addict now. He was never interested (and I didn't put kids stuff on, as I didn't want him to watch it) til at 19months, when I was heading towards the last trimester of my pregnancy, and I started putting his highchair in front of it for dinner. It took a good 4-6 weeks for him to get really interested, but by the time Morgan arrived he was having breakfast (enough time for me to have a shower) and dinner (while I lay down or cooked our dinner) in front of playhouse disney. thats the only channel he watches and no dvds. And I never had it on during the day. After Morgan arrived and all my help left (c section so 5 weeks of DH / mum here) I started putting it on while I was putting her down for a nap and he had lunch (otherwise he would follow me and make too much noise) ..... so now he has it on for breakie, lunch and dinner! It stays on his channel til he goes to bed now most nights, but he isn't always watching it ---- need to change that now I think!
He is in daycare 2 days (used to be 4) so doesn't see much those days (little bit in the morning and evening), and is so blumen active that I don't really mind him chilling out at the end of the day watching TV. He has also learnt to recognise numbers from before he was 2 thanks to numberjacks, and can spell some words thanks to Word World!! DH is a bit of a TV addict too .... I watch far more than I ever did before meeting him / having kids! ------------- DS (5yrs) and DD (3yrs) |
Posted By: freckle
Date Posted: 27 January 2010 at 3:37pm
you seem to have completely misinterpreted what I said... I replied to aquarius above, I assume you have read that?? Having worked with many children with autism and done my thesis on preschool children with autism I would never ever insinuate it is caused my television. Autism is a very complex disorder, which typically requires a significant amount specialised individualised intervention and for which no definite cause has been identified. What I was saying is that I have worked with several children who at first appeared to have characteristics of autism, on further investigation they did not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of autism, and it appears the cause was related to environment (i.e. lack of social interaction and instead over exposure to television and other such non interaction activities). This is no way means autism is caused by tv!!!!! As you will probably be aware of from your nephew, a diagnosis of autism is a long process which involves assessment by many professionals in all the children's environments, therefore, if a child has received that diagnosis I would not for a minute think it was caused by TV! golly I do hope I've explained myself clearly this time ------------- mum to 3 lovely girls :D |
Posted By: SMoody
Date Posted: 27 January 2010 at 3:51pm
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This side we dont have set rules as such. There is times that she watches more than others. When she is ill I even go as far as hiring some dvd's. Put her on the couchs under covers ect. But she is usually fast asleep quite quick.
When she was 2 and couldnt fall asleep we could put the same George the monkey dvd on and before 5 minutes was up she was fast asleep. I do tend to use the tv a lot when I am studying and specially during exam times. But it is more background noise for her as she plays with all her stuff around it. Otherwise she says it is too quiet. Should really change that to music. With the renovations we are doing in the house we bought our tv is still in the box downstairs for the last 3 months. Yip no tv for 3 months and that over holidays and to be quite honest not much missed. (thank goodness for tv on demand for shorty. ;-) Yip but we soon realised we dont need all those shows ect and we are now making plans to rather put music on and not have the stupid tv on the whole time as background noise. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: Raspberryjam
Date Posted: 27 January 2010 at 3:54pm
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I just thought some comments were quite generalised for what is a sensitve subject - and agreeing with Aquarius that this was most definately debate material.
I have no experience in caring for children with special needs, in regards to learning, however do know that my brother is very sensitive as to what is good and right for his son. I have no doubt that his environment has caused alot of his issues ------------- http://lilypie.com]
http://lilypie.com]
http://lilypie.com]
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Posted By: freckle
Date Posted: 27 January 2010 at 4:23pm
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I'm really sorry you feel that way as I really tried to word it as to not offend as I was not talking about children who do actually have ASD. I have just read over all my comments (2 to Fiona, 1 to aquarius and the last one to you) and to me they don't appear generalised, infact I think I was quite specific in stating I was not referring to all special needs children, that these children I was talking about were only suspected of having ASD but did NOT have it... again I do not think autism is in anyway caused by TV at all. ------------- mum to 3 lovely girls :D |
Posted By: Raspberryjam
Date Posted: 27 January 2010 at 4:27pm
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Yeah I got what you meant, but thats ok, we dont all have to agree on everything. ------------- http://lilypie.com]
http://lilypie.com]
http://lilypie.com]
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Posted By: freckle
Date Posted: 27 January 2010 at 4:32pm
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nope your right we don't... I am a little confused about what we disagree on though?? ------------- mum to 3 lovely girls :D |
Posted By: Mamma2N
Date Posted: 27 January 2010 at 4:34pm
I don't have too much of an issue with TV. I quite often have it going during the day, although I'm not actually watching it most of the time. DD loves certain programs (Blues Clues), I can't pry her away from the thing! But other than that she isn't really interested in it.
Freckle, I think you explained yourself quite clearly - I'm not sure how your explanation could be so misconstrued. But then again, I've been known to offend people on here when it certainly wasn't my intention. From my POV they weren't at all generalised
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Posted By: FionaS
Date Posted: 27 January 2010 at 4:36pm
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I understood what you were saying freckle. I know some teachers who have kids here in NZ who don't know their last name, have never really been anywhere outside their homes etc. Sadly some kids don't get any engagement at home. It is a very sad but true fact. I can understand how some kids with no engagement and 24/7 TV could initially exhibit autistic like behaviours without actually having the condition itself. I'm sure it is also true that for some individuals, too much TV can be detrimental e.g. epileptics fits are often triggered by it. I can understand how too many hours engrossed in it, especially if the person is right up close could possibly interfere with brain patterns but I'm very confident none of the Oh! baby kids fit into that boat.
Really interesting to see the variety of opinions but generally it sounds like most follow a moderation principle. Hopefully this doesn't become a debate thread...eeek! ------------- Mummy to Gabrielle and Ashley |
Posted By: freckle
Date Posted: 27 January 2010 at 4:49pm
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Phew thanks Mamma2N and Fiona... I really wasn't trying to be insensitive so it's good to know I haven't been misunderstood by all.... sorry if I have offended as it really wasn't my intention
------------- mum to 3 lovely girls :D |
Posted By: Bizzy
Date Posted: 27 January 2010 at 4:59pm
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i dont get the whole eating in front of the tv thing myself... i think sometimes my kids do watch too much but never while eating! i suppose thats the rule in this house... ------------- http://www.myfitnesspal.com/weight-loss-ticker">
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Posted By: Raspberryjam
Date Posted: 27 January 2010 at 5:00pm
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My original point was you are opening yourself for debate ( in agreence with aquarius) due to touching on a sensitive subject.
I dont want a debate either, i cant be bothered with that. I dont expect that you meant to cause offence either, nor was I offended I think we disagree about your comment being quiet generalised. Anyway feeding time at this zoo, so Im out ------------- http://lilypie.com]
http://lilypie.com]
http://lilypie.com]
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Posted By: FionaS
Date Posted: 27 January 2010 at 5:20pm
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Yeah I don't like Elle eating in front of TV but to be honest, she eats way better if she does! In saying that she hasn't eaten in front of it for a few weeks now as we are trying to reclaim family time at meal times. ------------- Mummy to Gabrielle and Ashley |
Posted By: fire_engine
Date Posted: 27 January 2010 at 7:19pm
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I think you explained yourself really well Freckle, each and every time. Now that I've said my piece, I'm over and out. This thread and its misinterpretations isn't good for my blood pressure ------------- Mum to two wee boys |
Posted By: Nikki
Date Posted: 27 January 2010 at 7:32pm
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Bizzy - the only reason Jake watches it while eating, is cos he never sat still long enough to watch it and wasn't at all interested in it (which was great, til I thought I would need some uninterrupted time to BF) so I put his highchair in front of it. Yep, bad mum! But I really thought I would need him to be occupied by something other than me when Morgan arrived and I was BFing for 45mins at first. He also used to come home from daycare so shattered that it was good to have him entertained and happy while I got his dinner ready then started cooking ours while he was eating.
We will be doing "family meals" when Morgan is a bit older, but right now I have them both eating at about 5/5.30 which is far too early for DH and I. If he didn't watch it while having breakfast, I wouldn't have been able to have a shower without him banging on the door on the mornings dh leaves early. Add a newborn in to the mix and I thought I'd be in pjs til lunchtime! If other mums can shower and do their hair/makeup with a 2 year old and newborn with ease, they are far more clever than me!!
------------- DS (5yrs) and DD (3yrs) |
Posted By: Raspberryjam
Date Posted: 27 January 2010 at 7:51pm
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Milla is really picky with what she eats I find the tele is a good distraction, I know its not good to bribe them to eat, but the wiggles works a treat - I find feeding her quite stressful so whatever works ------------- http://lilypie.com]
http://lilypie.com]
http://lilypie.com]
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Posted By: caitlynsmygirl
Date Posted: 27 January 2010 at 8:33pm
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I got what you meant each time Freckle ,
Im watching Gilmore Girls on TV atm , just thought I would share -------------
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Posted By: peanut butter
Date Posted: 28 January 2010 at 8:58am
| I LOVED the Gilmore Girls! Lorelei and Rory kept me company (via DVD) when DH was away for 3 months...pre kids of course. |
Posted By: LittleBug
Date Posted: 28 January 2010 at 9:17am
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Chloe usually watches TV/has it going in the background in the morning, while DH and I get ready for the day. TBH she is usually following us around the house, but when we are doing boring stuff like getting dressed, DH shaving etc. she goes and plays in the lounge and dances to kiddies music on TV.
We don't usually let Chloe watch TV while she eats... but she has snacks (morning tea and afternoon tea) on a mat in the lounge and if the TV is on she watches. Occasionally if we aren't eating together as a family we let her eat her dinner on her mat in the lounge with the TV, as a special treat. When she is sick she sometimes watches TV all day from the couch... it's either that or sit on the couch cuddling her and listening to her cry the entire day. Which I just cannot do, it breaks my heart! But I think everything in moderation. As long as they are getting a lot of exercise and play and reading and other experiences, and aren't just glued to the box all day every day, I can't see much harm. ------------- Chloe (4 years) and Oliver (3 years). |
Posted By: freckle
Date Posted: 28 January 2010 at 11:17am
I agree 100% ------------- mum to 3 lovely girls :D |