To think a three year old can’t do this?

I think it is so child and job dependent. My oldest definitely couldn’t have been left to play by herself at that age but my middle child could be quite happily. My husband however has a busy job and could have an important call he has to lead that can’t be disturbed so it wouldn’t work for him to be listening out for a 3yo reliably

I've done this quite often, DS is 4 and now at school but every Friday when he was at nursery and 3 he'd finish at 1pm and I'd have to work in the afternoon. He'd watch TV, do some crafts, play games and I would do admin on my laptop in same room as him.

Definitely gets annoying at times but manageable. I have to work now when I pick DS up after school for an hour much easier now he's 4 but essentially depends on the job.

If this is only once a week for an hour my 2 would have been fine at that age if I gave them an iPad or Netflix.
Only you know your child though

Mine would give his right arm for an hour of rubbish on tv especially if provided with snacks as well. A bit like others, screen time is limited at home so this would be seen as a big treat.

Every day though, the novelty may wear off.

Minimum age for this would be 5/6. Expecting that from a 3 year old is insane

I agree, we never had the tv on in the background when ours were little and tv time was relatively limited. Like yours, at the times they were watching, they were therefore totally engrossed.

I noticed a big difference even towards the end of the primary school years between my kids watching a film or tv programme, giving it 100% attention compared to other kids who did not focus at anything like the same level and seemed to get bored. I know at least some of these kids grew up in houses where the tv was always on.

We are in the same room, I wouldn't expect her to be in a different room for an hour though. But it's totally fine for an hour and a half or so a week, she just watches some TV, plays with her toys, eats a snack, etc. Neither of mine have been an issue, now my DD1 is 5 she will happily stay in another room if I'm doing a work call or something too.

🤣

Hmm depends on the child I guess. I have 2yo DD2 sitting watching TV right now while I work, she's been no bother. This happens every Friday.

DD1 was fine with it too. Depends on the job too, if he's in meetings and has to phone people etc then no but if he's just doing admin-type work with no comms with others then it'll probably be fine.

Does your husband spend any time with your child? Three year old are unpredictable, my friends child cried because the sun went behind a cloud, her drink was wet, & she can't eat cat food same child likes to practice what she calls happy falls ( like leaves happily falling from trees) by throwing herself backwards from the sofa/ anywhere high she can get on to.
What could go wrong?
Also show your husband this thread

3 is maybe a bit young. Depends how much of a tv zombie the child is I suppose?

My son is 3 and he'd be ok with his trains and the TV for about 10 - 20 mins. He'd need a drink and a snack and a bit of help with the loo - turning the light on and putting the seat up.

I don't think he could do a full hour with little input- he'd get lonely and want to come and find us!

Sounds like you have a pretty chilled out puss 😂🙈

😂

Would your DH’s work even allow it? At mine, all primary school aged and younger need to be in childcare to WFH.

I think it's fine for an hour so long as your DH doesn't have work calls or meetings during that time. He might not get much work done during that hour, but presumably if his work isn't too inflexible then he can work a bit later when you get home.

If he's actually working (as opposed to casually "working" at a laptop and sending a few emails in desultory Friday afternoon fashion) and expects to ignore your DS and close the door on him, then I agree that this is not possible. Your DS doesn't need top-quality parental interaction for that hour - TV is fine - but he does need adequate supervision.

Dd1 totally fine, ds 2&3 would probably burn the house down.

I did this with my kids. It can be stressful and some days it's totally fine but others they might be having a meltdown or need stuff from me. What if he's got meetings or has to take a work call then I can guarantee that your son will be making an appearance on Teams

Actually my (otherwise bloody difficult) DD would have done this

I was pretty strict about screen time and she was knackered after a week of nursery - so yes she probably would have zombie’d out in front of the TV if given the chance. Although if something boring came on or ads she might well get up and do something —feral— unpredictable.

I’ve got 3 kids, all mine would have sat and watched TV for an hour at 3. They were never allowed TV before nursery so it would be their first viewing, & they would be tired.

I get a lot of people say no, but my 3 yo would be fine with this. I quite often make dinner or work on my laptop in the kitchen while she chills out in the lounge watching a cartoon or hosting a birthday party for her toys!

Should have said sole charge but you got the gist.