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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to think a 5 year old shouldn't have a TV in their room?

149 replies

Needmorechocolate · 21/02/2015 21:30

My niece (who is 5) has a TV in her room. Apparently they put on a DVD every night at bedtime and she'll fall asleep watching it after an hour or so.

I think 5 is too young to have TV in the bedroom and don't think it's healthy to be falling asleep in front of the TV every night. AIBU to think this?

OP posts:
usualsuspect333 · 21/02/2015 21:49

I don't give a toss if a load of smug internet randoms think I'm a lazy parent.

southeastastra · 21/02/2015 21:49

lol at usual in bed already Grin

PiperIsTerrysChoclateOrange · 21/02/2015 21:49

Come back when you have an asd child who will happily lie in bed watching dvd's or is putting himself in danger.

Ds has had one in his bedroom since he was 3.

blackheartsgirl · 21/02/2015 21:50

ooo very similar experience to southeastastra there.

southeastastra · 21/02/2015 21:51

exactly blackheart, i think it's quite sad that parents expect kids to just switch off and sleep when it suits them. i would have loved a radio to listen to instead of just listening to people enjoying themselves downstairs or worrying about creaks.

usualsuspect333 · 21/02/2015 21:51

I was cold, SEA. I'm in bed on my kindle.

LuisSuarezTeeth · 21/02/2015 21:53

YABU

It's none of your business.

BatCrapCrazy · 21/02/2015 21:53

My DC (age 3 and 4) both have TVs in their rooms. During the week, they don't go on at all and they both have a story together before bed and are allowed to look at books on their own for half an hour if they aren't sleepy (the latest they go to sleep is 7.30pm). On Friday and Saturday nights they both go to bed at 6.30pm with a DVD. DS (3) always falls asleep within the first half an hour anyway and DD (4) will usually watch a whole DVD and will then switch off the TV herself and shout goodnight to us and go to sleep. The latest she goes to sleep is 8.30. It works for us and they have a good routine. I don't see the harm in it on weekends although I'm not sure I'd be happy for them to watch tv in bed on school nights.

WorraLiberty · 21/02/2015 21:54

Blimey, the people who think bedrooms are just for sleeping, either have little imagination of tons of other rooms in the house.

I can think of plenty of other uses for bedrooms.

Lucked · 21/02/2015 21:54

Very poor sleep hygiene to let a child fall asleep to TV. But you just have to stay out of it.

I think bedrooms should be TV free if possible but I have sympathy for families who want two televisions and have nowhere else to put it but I think they should only be used if the main TV is also being watched.

southeastastra · 21/02/2015 21:55

wtf is sleep hygiene?

FullOfChoc · 21/02/2015 21:55

My dc (8 and 10) moan a lot that their friends have TVs in their rooms. I tell them I'm giving them the gift of a lifelong love of reading by never allowing TVs in bedrooms! A TV somehow wins over a book, easier to press the on button than pick up a book? They do both love books!

Treaclepot · 21/02/2015 21:56

YANBU. Bad for their sleep habits, feels lie a way of keeping kids quiet and away from their parents. Shit way to learn to fall asleep, hard habit break. And yes fucking lazy parenting. Which isn't something to be proud of.

Iggly · 21/02/2015 21:56

Yanbu

TV is bad for anyone, at any age, in the bedroom. Ffs!

Talk about lazy parenting.

I remember talking to a delivery driver (I'd answered the door with my then baby ds). We were comparing notes on tricky bedtimes - his tip was to put a portable DVD player in the cot. I managed to not do my Hmm face until I'd shut the door.

DixieNormas · 21/02/2015 21:57

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Poolbirthx2 · 21/02/2015 21:57

YABU - you should mind your own business!

Sparklingbrook · 21/02/2015 21:57

I agree with usual. I am also in bed. Smile

Only1scoop · 21/02/2015 21:58

Yanbu really bad sleep habits....

DownstairsMixUp · 21/02/2015 21:58

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

usualsuspect333 · 21/02/2015 21:58

I think calling parents who choose to parent differently to you 'fucking lazy' is uncalled for.

southeastastra · 21/02/2015 21:59

reading a book is also a great way to fall asleep but some kids just have hyper sensitivity and the slightest noise can jog them out of reading.

i don't get why people find it hard to understand that kids are hypersensitive to noise and could probably fall asleep in a noisy room, yet put them alone in a dark bedroom at 7 and expect them to fall asleep.

DownstairsMixUp · 21/02/2015 21:59

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

southeastastra · 21/02/2015 22:00

it's probably the same posters who weren't allowed to watch itv Wink

Charlotte3333 · 21/02/2015 22:00

I'm certain those shouting "lazy parenting" have lazy parenting habits of their own that others might tut or turn their noses up at. Nobody parents the way you do. Nobody's rules are the same. And no parent is perfect no matter what they say on MN.

usualsuspect333 · 21/02/2015 22:00

To be honest I liked a bit of peace of an evening.