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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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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:

SooticaTheWitchesCat · 07/01/2014 12:24

I don't like TVs in bedrooms at all so I wouldn't advise you to do it.

roamer2 · 07/01/2014 12:24

Might be better to get a cat than a TV- cats like sleeping on beds. Less screen time then

ikeaismylocal · 07/01/2014 12:28

,If it is just the sound he wants why don't you get him a CD player and some story CD's?

I don't the reliance on t.v. Should be encouraged.

ShadowFall · 07/01/2014 12:28

Personally I don't like tvs in bedrooms at all as I think they interfere with sleep, plus it's harder to keep an eye on what they're watching.

The portable dvd player pps have suggested sounds like a better idea.

mrsminiverscharlady · 07/01/2014 12:32

Having a tv on as background noise isn't a great idea Imo whether upstairs or downstairs. Istr being told by a speech therapist that constant background noise can cause problems with speech development. Plus i just don't think it's a great habit to have a tv on all (or a lot) of the time.

nonmifairidere · 07/01/2014 12:33

Personally, I wouldn't do anything that encouraged a child to watch TV, or spend hours in front of any screen. A small CD player with a selection of music and stories/talking books to play quietly in the background would serve in this situation, surely.

Children need to learn themselves how to cope a variety of situations, eg resolving boredom, as part of their development. I find a lot of parents are far to quick to intervene. I think children today have far too much sensory over-stimulation and expectation of immediate response and satisfaction. It's hardly surprising so many cannot concentrate for more than short periods or appear 'overactive'. Not aimed at you, OP, just general observations.

JohnCusacksWife · 07/01/2014 12:36

Personally I wouldn't as I hate TVs in bedrooms, but that's just me. Also whilst you might be able to control what he watches now you won't be able to so easily in the future.....just a thought.

ladymontdore · 07/01/2014 12:37

I wouldn't let a 14 year old have a tv in their bedroom, so I definitely don't think you should let a 4 y o have one!

IMO bedrooms are for sleeping in, I'm very 'old school' about this, my DCs only have teddies and books in their rooms. DD1 has her sylvanians to play with in the morning (she is an early riser) but otherwise all toys are downstairs and they play downstairs, it's just more sociable. I, personally, would find it hard to sleep in the same room I had been playing in earlier. Bedrooms should be calm, relaxing places.

When I was teaching I once asked a year 7 class who had TVs in their rooms - I was shocked by how many did! But not shocked by which children did and didn't!

Fairylea · 07/01/2014 12:38

Personally I wouldn't but then despite having a TV on downstairs all the time I don't agree with tvs in bedrooms as bedrooms are for sleeping ... The dc have always played downstairs through choice though so not had the same issue as you.

softlysoftly · 07/01/2014 12:41

I'd be trying to encourage less dependence on background noise tbh. DBIL has to have tv on at all times even if he just turns it on and walks out of the room it drives me nuts.

Perhaps turn the tv off downstairs too until he gets comfortable playing without it. He really needs to able to play / focus without noise.

mrsjay · 07/01/2014 12:41

everybody really does have a different opinion on television don't they

Bowlersarm · 07/01/2014 12:42

I hate TVs in bedrooms. I would never see my children if they had a TV in their rooms. It's so much nicer having them as part of the family in the main part of the house.

So YABU. Especially at 4. That's a huge amount of extra screen time you'd be encouraging.

Sparklingbrook · 07/01/2014 12:42

Sometimes it depends on your house, We only have one reception room, If we had a second room the boys could have a TV in there.

Now the boys are 11 and 14 I don't really want to watch Top Gear/Russell Howard or whatever they may want to. So they can watch them in their rooms, along with DVDs that aren't my taste.

I can't really agree with children that have TVs in their bedrooms being any different to other children at school though.

When DS1 was about 4 he had a TV to play DVDs on in his room, if he woke up really early at the weekend he might put a DVD on until DH and I got up.

Sparklingbrook · 07/01/2014 12:43

mrsjay TV in bedroom threads never end well do they?

LadyIsabellasHollyWreath · 07/01/2014 12:43

If you have a digital radio and are in London area then you could try Fun Kids radio as company for him upstairs. More compatible with children's play I think.

mrsjay · 07/01/2014 12:43

I would be lost without my tv in my bedroom i would need to watch all those police cctv programmes dh likes and i l am more into high brow like big brother and dancing on ice

mrsjay · 07/01/2014 12:44

it is going ok for the moment sparkling i just find it interesting on peoples views on screen time it is really diverse

Sparklingbrook · 07/01/2014 12:44

Me too mrsjay I would have to watch Storage Hunters/Catfish with DH

overthemill · 07/01/2014 12:46

Our rule is you can have TV in your room when you've got 11 A* at GCSE. I cannot believe anyone would consider allowing a 4 year old free access to TV or games. It should always be supervised

Bowlersarm · 07/01/2014 12:49

Sparkling/mrsjay...we once had a TV in our bedroom. Note the 'once'. It caused huge problems between DH and I. Well not huge, but it's about the only thing we have ever argued about. He is an owl and stayed up all hours of the night watching it. I am not an owl and need peace and quiet, and dark, without a flickering screen, to sleep. It didn't last long, I couldn't bead it.

Bowlersarm · 07/01/2014 12:49

bear it, even...

mrsjay · 07/01/2014 12:51

well we dont really argue about it if he wants to watch something late hs stays up and watches something late the flickering would get on my nerves too, I put mine on sleep so it goes off and if dh dares to put it back on when im asleep he gets an earful,

Sparklingbrook · 07/01/2014 12:55

I like to watch BBC News in the morning while I get ready. At night I tend to watch stuff in bed and turn it off when DH comes up.

However last night we were both sniggering at CBB.

PocketFluff · 07/01/2014 13:02

If it's because he's lonely upstairs he'll probably still want you despite having a tv. Could you start by being in his room and then going out to potter upstairs/doing jobs. Then just be upstairs with him but in different rooms and then gradually start going downstairs and then back up again more and more.

Could give you a chance to deep clean the bathroom/sort out the airing cupboard/organise drawers and wardrobes/lie on the bed and read a book!

HuntingforBunting · 07/01/2014 13:05

I think it's a terrible idea. Far too young!!

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