AIBU to ask our neighbour not to put baby in front of TV while she babysits?

I mean you do you. If you don't think you will feel comfortable, then don't leave him. Sure he won't implode if he is stuck in front of the TV for a couple of hours BUT you are right to be wary of screens in general. Your observation that 'obviously since the 60s babies have probably been around TV’s and they’re fine.' is like comparing apples and pears. The slow TV of the 1960s, mainly in b&w with far fewer TVs in homes and gaps during the day where nothing was on, cannot be compared to the fast-paced technicolour frenetic onslaught of today's visual output.

we are a 99% screen free house but in this particular scenario I really wouldn't care. Baby is too young to know what they're looking at.

Send the baby with toys and books and I'm sure it will be fine.

I would be much more bothered if it was a toddler they were putting in front of the TV for two hours because then you get a wired and dysregulated child on return!

I don't think a 7 month old baby will lie there for 2 solid hours staring at a TV anyway... 10 mins maybe before they start fussing and needing some adult input.

Enjoy your time together, don't burn your bridges.

I think it’s a bit mean to call OP ridiculous, she’s a first time mum and just worrying!

If it was a regular arrangement I would mention something but as a one off I wouldn’t say anything, a one off won’t hurt. Enjoy your break OP!

Watching TV doesn't cause ADHD and saying that is offensive. Educate yourself.

I think you are just feeling a bit anxious in general about leaving him, and those feelings have been directed at the TV.

Watching the tv will not give your baby ADHD, especially for a one off 2 hours.

My daughter is neuro-divergent - she is dyslexic. This was not caused by her watching bake off with me as a baby. Neither does she have an obsession with cakes. Her brother wasn't exposed to bake off as by then it had moved to C4. 😂

Also her being dyslexic isn't a bad thing, her Father is and he's a senior lecturer and the way her brain is wired up makes her wonderfully creative and interesting.

We have a complex family (distance, illness) and never had anyone to babysit when our two were very small, even now it is a very rare occurrence. Once you go out, take a deep breath, try and relax and find some of the fun you had pre-children. Happier parents = happier babies.

I hate to break it to you, but they also watch tv in nurseries, preschool and school.

You can ban screens at home if you like, but unless you homeschool, they won't avoid them.

Kids who are never allowed screens at home are glued to them the minute they can, same as kids never allowed sweets and treats are a nightmare because they demolish any pack they can get their hands on.

Moderation is key. You can and should discuss preferences with a nanny. A 2 hours babysitter doing you a favour?No don't be silly

You need to calm down! It’s 2 hours, not 2 weeks! If you trust her leave your child with her, if you don’t take the child with you.

Cmon now OP this is a bit ridiculous, you literally dont watch any tv if hes awake? We aren't a big tv family, its more in the background but its on a lot probably. I used to fret and panic lile you too but its about balance. My kids are outside a lot and at various activities and playdates etc but they also get downtime to watch tv so I can get stuff done. I was a 90s kid and raised on tv. I think 'screen time' fear is about people who sit the kids on tv all day or have ipads in their face constantly and dont do much else with them ie raised by tv/ipad/phone, not kids who occasionally see tv.

This. Your neighbour is being lovely to babysit. Your baby will be fine! Have a nice lunch.

I actually think it would be a bit rude to ask.
You know what the set up is in her home and have said yes to her doing this favour for you.

It really will not make any difference to your life if he watches tv for two hours. It is very unlikely to be two hours solid, changing, picking him up, feeding, etc.
I would mention that you try not to do too much screen time if possible and have all the play things out readily accessible.
then I wouldn’t say more than that becuase having someone offer to watch your baby who lives close to you is like gold dust and I wouldn’t want to discourage them in any way from helping you out like this. You are very very lucky to have someone like this in your life and I would not make it hard for them.
your baby will be fine even if they watched common for two hours solid, it’s really not going to effect them in anyway.

Tv right before bedtime is obviously not great as it stimulates the brain (of every age, not just kids) but honestly unless what you watch is highly inappropriate then it will not do any harm. I watched Bake off, Call the Midwife and some other period drama when I was on mat leave. A quiz show like the chase is hardly going to rot babies brain, in fact they may just absorb facts! I'm pretty sure as babies mine probably saw Father Ted, a die hard film and the 6 Nations. As they got older and were more aware we had to edit what we viewed with them and watch once they went to bed but a 7 month old is going to be okay if you watch the Chase.

If you don’t like what is being offered for free, then feel free to pay for Montessori trained childcare or similar

Good luck with them not “catching” ADHD 👍

He will be fine with TV for a few hours so I wouldn’t mention it as it could be taken badly be her.

But as a FTM with a baby, I don’t think you’re crazy for worrying about it when we have been told absolutely no screen time under 2. If you started another post asking if you could leave your baby in front of the TV for 2 hours in some other context, you’d have loads of outraged commenters telling you how shocking that was!

This is true, even throughout primary the teachers stick on a film some afternoons and ALL of my secondary age kids homework is online with video explanations. In nursery they stick on tv all the time.

I was more wary with TV with my first than my second. Now they are older, my first is much more transfixed by a screen than my second. My second will carry on playing games and chatting while the TV is on in the background, but my eldest won't. I think we did limit it too much so it became a big novelty to her when it was on.There's obviously a balance in the middle somewhere!

ADHD is not caused by tv. It’s genetic. If your baby is diagnosed as having ADHD then it’s been there since his brain formed during pregnancy.

You need to chill and unclench. Tell your neighbour thank you, provide her with some books, toys, nappies and foods that baby likes, and leave them to it. Get her some of her favourite coffee or biscuits or a cake as a thank you if you’re not paying her. Go and enjoy the time with your husband.

FWIW I didn't have a TV when my daughter was a baby because I didn't want one, there were no home computers or mobile phone screens at that time. She's an adult now and a well balanced, well qualified professional who has the TV on most of the time at home so I don't believe it made any difference.

Chill out and appreciate the babysitting.

Being wary of screens is absolutely fine and good parenting.
Worried about two hours when usually not glued to a screen is over the top and in the bonkers region.
But noted you have taken the feedback and won't be saying anything. Enjoy your time and have a happy anniversary

I'd MUCH rather 2 hours in front of the tv where I know my LO is safe and sound versus her taking the child out to the park or whatever. Your child will be in a controlled environment, known friend/neighbour, easy for you to collect them after your date. All winning aspects! Honestly, drop your child off, thank profusely and enjoy your date!

It’s cheeky and absurd to mention it. She’ll never offer to help again. At 7 months, the baby will be interested in the telly for about 2 mins tops. Then they’ll want to chew some car keys or lick the bottom of a shoe.