How much TV is too much TV for a 2 year old?

[MissLiss]

Just interested. DS1 (2 and a half years) would watch tv all day if I let him (which I don't). I promised I would never leave him to be babysat by it but since DS2 has arrived (8 months ago) I find it difficult to do anything else when I need to get DS2 to sleep in the morning. I don't like him watching it by himself, but just can't be there all the time with him and if I don't stick the tv on at naptime, DS1 just hounds me constantly to play when I'm trying to settle DS2 to sleep.

[sannie]

Hi MissLiss,

Sounds just like our house :-) since the arrival of ds2 beebies has been a regular feature...ds1 comes into our room in the morning asking to watch it and would also watch all day if I let him.

He has his favourite shows in the morning so I let him watch those - but try to be around so we can talk about it a bit. I always try to switch off then though and tend to try to get out in the afternoon so he doesn't watch any more...Doesn't always work to plan though if ds2 needs something...

[TheArmadillo]

using it for toddler while coping with young baby is what cbeebies/DVDs were designed for.

Don't feel guilty about it

[MissLiss]

Thank you for the reassurance. Have been giving myself a hard time recently as DS2 a very clingy little thing and feel like poor DS1 is neglected and left to watch tv by himself whilst I focus on DS2. I know that's not the reality as he gets as much interaction and attention as he needs (at least I hope he does) but at night when he's gone to bed I wonder if I've turned his little world upside down by having another baby. Silly, I know, as I love them both so much. Just wasn't prepared for feeling so torn all the time.