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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To get a TV for my DS in his room?

59 replies

Meh84 · 07/01/2014 11:47

I can't make my mind up if I am or not. DS (4) has got this thing about wanting to play upstairs by himself, he doesn't like it because it's too quiet but he loves being up there playing. I put the ipod docker on in his room but it still bothers him. He'll only go up there is his 2 year old sister goes with him...bless him!

We play downstairs and the TV is on, I thought about getting him one for his room to see if that would help.

WIBU to get him one or is he too young?

OP posts:
WaitMonkey · 07/01/2014 11:52

I won't let my dc have a television. I don't like them in bedrooms. But it's your house, your decision.

mrsjay · 07/01/2014 11:55

I have no problem with tvs in bedrooms it does not make them antisocial zombies ime, maybe your little boy is just one of those kids who likes to be with people, you could try a tv stick a dvd on and see how it goes or you could just let him play with his sister, and if he wants you up with him just tell him to play downstairs, he will eventually get used to playing on his own if he wants too

Sparklingbrook · 07/01/2014 11:57

YANBU. Get a small one, that you can unplug and take out. With a DVD player combined.

mrsjay · 07/01/2014 11:59

the signal in dds bedroom is rubbish anyway so it was always videos just for films they watched dd1 got her first tv at 5 ,

Foxeym · 07/01/2014 12:00

My DC's both have TVs in their rooms but to be honest the only time they watch them is when they want to watch one of their DVDs that we don't want to watch on the main TV downstairs for the 100th time :)

jollygoose · 07/01/2014 12:00

I dont think its a good idea, if he has one now he will always have one and then when he is a bit older you will have lost control over what and when he watches.

Sparklingbrook · 07/01/2014 12:00

I had two aerial sockets put in the boys' bedrooms. Grin

mrsjay · 07/01/2014 12:02

of course you can control what they watch

oo sneaky sparkling

mrsjay · 07/01/2014 12:03

and as somebody has just said it saves you watching the same dvd over and over, oh that doesnt stop as they get older BTW dd will watch the same film for days AND days

LucyLasticBand · 07/01/2014 12:04

let him play downstairs imo. no need to leave him in his room, it sounds lonely.

LucyLasticBand · 07/01/2014 12:05

and then his sister will want to be there too, and you wont know what they are up to.

Thumbwitch · 07/01/2014 12:06

I have just let DS1 (6) have a tv/dvd combo in his room, but it's not attached to the aerial, so he can't watch tv in there, only DVDs. I don't think it's the end of the world, but you do need to keep an eye on how long he has it on.

mrsjay · 07/01/2014 12:07

she isnt leaving him in his room he wants to play in his room but yes he is lonely he is 4 and showing a bit of independence by wanting to play with his things in his room nothing wrong in that but he likes company and back ground noise,

Original poster
Meh84 · 07/01/2014 12:08

I don't leave him in his room Lucy he just prefers it up there and wants his sister to go with him, if not her then me and I can't always go up with him.

OP posts:
Original poster
Meh84 · 07/01/2014 12:08

xpost - thank you mrsjay!

OP posts:
LucyLasticBand · 07/01/2014 12:09

i can understand that.
can you be upstairs when they are though.

LucyLasticBand · 07/01/2014 12:09

and even with the tv i bet he still wants company.

mrsjay · 07/01/2014 12:11

unless the op lives in a mansion and the kids are playing in the west wing Wink then the op wants her children to be able to play on their own for a while she doesnt need to be with them all the time get him a telly meh and see if he settles better or you might need to keep sending his sister up

Needingthework · 07/01/2014 12:11

Have you asked him why he wants to play up there but does not feel comfortable about the lack of background noise?

What about a radio? I know that Cbeebies has a radio station, but it may be digital only.

Floralnomad · 07/01/2014 12:13

My children have always had TV in their rooms ( from about 3/4) and they're 20 and 14 and TBH hardly watch any TV so it certainly doesn't encourage TV watching ,or didn't in this house .

mrsjay · 07/01/2014 12:13

I think lucy is right he will still be a bit lonely even with a tv but that will wear off and he might like the peace and quiet of his room watching a dvd for half an hour or so,

mintberry · 07/01/2014 12:14

I wouldn't put a proper TV in there at that age because I would be worried about him becoming obsessed with it and having grumps about coming down, or losing control over his screen time at such a young age.

I think a portable DVD player which you can plonk in his room when needed would be a good solution!

mrsjay · 07/01/2014 12:16

I think a portable DVD player which you can plonk in his room when needed would be a good solution!

oh yes that is a good idea

mrsjay · 07/01/2014 12:16

although i did limit videos when mine were 4 it was from the get go so they get used to it

BigBoobiedBertha · 07/01/2014 12:21

Why does he like playing in his room? What is it that he likes that is different downstairs?

I wouldn't put a TV in his room. I am not one for limiting TV at all but I think bedrooms are best left for sleeping and reading. In years to come it will be a distraction from homework and potentially sleep because once it is in the room, it will be very hard to take it away.