To think that just putting cbeebies on is rubbish parenting

[ditziness]

I've been ill this weekend, so was in bed all yesterday. DH was looking after DS (2.5) . Cbeebies on all day, DH playing computer games on his phone. I asked at lunchtime if he was going to take him out or do anything, but no, apparently he works all week so too tired to go out and do anything and ds asked for the telly on. Apparently I can get stuffed for interfering in what he's deciding to do if I'm not looking after him too.

Got to about 4 pm when I eventually persuaded him to take him to the local park for half an hour. It pisses me off as I spend all week taking ds places, giving him fresh air, excersuze, friends and fun, and if we are in the house then playing with him, reading to him. The telly rarely goes on, as I just don't think it's necessary so young and I want him to know that there's more to life than tv. (not that he never watches it atall, that's a bit dogmatic and unrealistic IMO).

I'm fed up that I can't be ill for a day, and expect his father to look after him properly and interact and go out with him. It's always the same, whenever DH looks after him he's always stuck infront of the telly all day.

Am I?

fannybanjo your day spounds like great fun!! I'm sure you would have noticed if your 2 nd 4 year old had needed to go and run about instead.

Well, ds just watched n hour of Milkshake while I slept on, but now we are going to walk in the woods and spend a long time at the playground.

Agree-in moderation is fine. Four or five solid hours is not.

And from a purely selfish perspective, if ds doesnt get loads of fresh air and exercise he doesn't sleep well-and neither do I !

bugster not yesterday no, they were very tired also as had slept over at my mums and I'll be honest, my youngest two aren't running around types of kids whereas DD1 is. They played with their Noah's Ark and toys, TV was just on as background really. Also I interact with them if we watch TV, ask them questions and discuss what's happening. Like I said, watching TV with parents is not all bad. They can also absorb facts.

Berkshire thank you! I love spending time with my girls BUT don't think mothers should feel like martyrs and be constantly doing with their children. Too much pressure nowadays to be the "perfect" mother, there's no such thing. A little bit of something isn't going to harm. Neglect is when children have no stimulation in life at all, not watching Cbeebies for a couple of hours.

I concur fannybanjo

YANBU Op. I'd be pissed off if tv time was on daddy's watch tbh.

Is this less about what's actually good for the kids or not and more about competitive "mummy works harder than daddy"?

I didn't think it was about competitive parenting as such, more about, put some bloody effort in.

Hmm, I don't know. When I was with my ex I was constantly point scoring over who worked the hardest. It was pretty unhealthy.

I see a lot of this happening in friends relationships too.