Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

...to feel uneasy about DS (3) watching TV (i think maybe I am BU!)

11 replies

gettngbetter · 24/02/2013 17:26

I think I am being a bit BU about DS watching TV. He's 3. He watches no TV on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday. His DGM puts it on for him for about an hour (or so she says) when she minds him on Thursdays and DH lets him watch some when he minds him on Fridays. At the weekends when DH trys to put on the TV I persuade him not to.

I don't really like DS sitting like a zombie in front of it. It makes me feel uneasy for some reason. I prefer him to be playing with his toys or chatting to me.

In his cousins house they have the TV on the cartoon network 24/7 and its not like there's anything wrong with them despite all the TV - they're perfectly sociable and seem bright.

Sometimes I think maybe I'm making life hard for myself by not sticking on the TV in the evenings for a little while when DS1 (age 3) is going mad running around and DS2 (age 1) is screaming to be held all the time - and I have lots of housework to do too! Maybe I'm being a bit of an idiot being so stressed when there's a TV sitting in the corner of the room that would solve all the stress and make eveyone happier.

I think I'm the type of person who worries to much about things. I think I'd probably be better off being more laid back

So am IBU? And how much TV per day would be too much for a 3 year old?

OP posts:
ThingsNeedToChange · 24/02/2013 17:27

I think if you've got your hands full then 1 hour in the evening would be fine and give you some time too

MajaBiene · 24/02/2013 17:30

I don't think the amount of TV really matters so long as he is active, plays lets, gets outside every day, is talked and read too etc.

IslaValargeone · 24/02/2013 17:32

If you feel uneasy about it go with your gut and encourage your ds to play with other toys, or give him jobs to do while he follows you around the house with a duster. (train him early Wink)

TheWave · 24/02/2013 17:38

I would agree with you in trying to have it off as much as possible and not getting into the habit of having it on regularly.

It's harder at the time but easier to stick to if you don't have it on at all when they are small. It's not really going to get him used to playing with toys/chatting/helping. Also to benefit your 1yr old who doesn't need to have it on.

I think I am/was one of the more strict on TV with mine as I found "never" easier than "just a little".

seeker · 24/02/2013 17:44

On, and I hate to be picky- but your dh does not "mind" your children! Unless that's how you describe what you do with them, in which case, I apologise!

ruledbyheart · 24/02/2013 17:59

Well I must be a terrible mum as my tv is on nearly all day, everyday as background noise DCs dont really sit and watch it but its there if they want too.

Pfb stealth boast about how good a mum you are for not allowing tv much? [Hmm]

Nightfall1983 · 24/02/2013 18:04

Studies show that no TV at all (or any screen time) is best until they are 3. Now that your DS is 3 small amounts of TV won't hurt him and depending on what you out on could actually be educational, how you stop the one year old watching is another matter...

MajaBiene · 24/02/2013 18:10

Studies are very inconclusive about whether TV is harmful at all before 2 or 3. Personally I have read nothing that has convinced me.

There is some evidence that TV or radio on all the time as background noise can delay speech.

Personally I try to keep TV to first thing in the morning and in the evening, with busy days in between, but have no worries about putting it on more if DS or I need it!

Original poster
gettngbetter · 24/02/2013 18:14

Hi seeker - no when I say that DH 'minds' our DS's I don't mean that he's babysitting them for me. DH is at work today and I regard myself as 'minding' them.

OP posts:
Original poster
gettngbetter · 24/02/2013 18:22

Hi ruledbyheart I think me being worried about the TV is more a reflection that I'm a bit anxious and overly worried about things in general. I look at my SIL (who has the TV in all the time) and I see that her kids are not badly affected by the TV - and I wish I could be more laid back - because I will have to deal with more tantrums etc over the years by having the TV off - and in the end I don't think my sons will turn out any different to my SILs!

OP posts:
Hawkmoon269 · 24/02/2013 18:23

I think that at age 3 it's ok to have 20 or 30 minutes a day.

I'm pretty relaxed about tv but only cbeebies or cbbc. Absolutely can't stand the cable/ itv channels because of the adverts.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page