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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:
DixieNormas · 21/02/2015 22:18

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HighwayDragon · 21/02/2015 22:19

dd is 4 and has had a tv since she was 3, she watches it after school in bed to wind down.

EdSheeran · 21/02/2015 22:20

I do actually think I was being hypocritical up thread, so apologies. When you're sleep deprived, you assume that everyone else is but I know that some people find the TV an aid to sleep, not a hindrance. That said, I stare at a screen before sleep (kindle) so I wonder if I'm as bad!

usualsuspect333 · 21/02/2015 22:20

No need to be sad for my children, they all grew up and turned out Ok.

Only1scoop · 21/02/2015 22:20

Stunned at how many young dc have tv's....

Sparklingbrook · 21/02/2015 22:22

I have never understood how TVs are meant to disrupt sleep patterns unless you stay up and watch it all night I suppose. Confused

ImBatDog · 21/02/2015 22:22

mind you, that being said, neither of them have ever asked to have it on at night time either.. we read a bedtime story, then tuck them both in and they go to sleep!

StarOnTheTree · 21/02/2015 22:23

southeastastra I'm sure that's how DD3 feels but I just haven't been able to get my head around having a tv in the bedroom for a young child.

But I'm going to sort it this week and since she can read already I can let her watch tv without feeling guilty at all..... Grin

usualsuspect333 · 21/02/2015 22:24

Stunned that people choose to do things differently to you, Scoop?

ImBatDog · 21/02/2015 22:24

its not a new thing, i'm in my 30's and always had a tv in my bedroom from about age 5.

It meant mom and dad could kick us upstairs on a weekend when dad had the sport on downstairs, and we could watch it in our own rooms in the morning if we woke up early.

i certainly dont need it to fall asleep, its never ruined my ability to drift off, i'd rather read a book tyvm!

EdSheeran · 21/02/2015 22:26

Sparkling eh, it's something to do with sleep hygiene and bedrooms being only for sleeping, also REM sleep I have a really dull article about it somewhere. I saw a sleep specialist. It didn't help. :(

DownstairsMixUp · 21/02/2015 22:27

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This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

Sparklingbrook · 21/02/2015 22:30

'Bedrooms only for sleeping' sounds like the fun police have been round. Sad

Sorry you are having problems Ed.

skittycat · 21/02/2015 22:32

Having the tv on on a night time disturbs me - when the sodding thing turns itself off due to inactivity. I can't sleep when it's quiet and dark - I've tried thousands of times and thousands of relaxation techniques before bed.

I don't have an issue with a child having a tv in their bedroom (or anyone for that matter) - at the end of the day, it's personal choice. I would, however, be slightly concerned that watching tv and falling asleep from an early age is going to leave the child dependant on watching tv to fall asleep for their life. It's how I've ended up dependant on it and it's not always been easy.

WindMeUpAndLetMeGo · 21/02/2015 22:36

My DS all have TVs in their rooms, in fact DS3 has 2 one which is solely for the PS2!! They both have an xbox in their rooms with netflix and YouTube on - I must be an awful parent!!!

Truth is I don't want to sit and watch all the junk they like watching!

HumphreyCobbler · 21/02/2015 22:38

I find it difficult to sleep if I have been watching tv or mning in bed, it doesn't work for me. But I love falling asleep to the radio or white noise. We are all different. I can't get worked up about tv in bedrooms.

I love tv and have a new one that is massive. It is great.

Cobain · 21/02/2015 22:43

Mine had TVs, didn't watch them to fall asleep to but as long as the get enough sleep and reading I don't mind. My friend was anti but then her DCs has their own play room with their own TV, plus one in the family room as well as the living room, so no difference really. I would have ended up hating my dad if I did not have a TV as a child, all those bloody westerns.

Philoslothy · 21/02/2015 22:43

My children ( with two exceptions) all have televisions in their bedrooms. They also have a playroom with a TV in. I have a TV in my main living room which is huge, a TV in the kitchen and we have a TV in our bedroom. I have one in my bathroom. We have a room with a massive screen for films and am having one installed in my garden.

I love TV as do my children.

By MN standards I am lazy trash.

WindMeUpAndLetMeGo · 21/02/2015 22:46

I also have a huge TV in my room, nothing better than snuggling up and catching up on AHS or OITNB etc on Netflix

DixieNormas · 21/02/2015 22:49

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DixieNormas · 21/02/2015 22:50

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TourGuideBarbie · 21/02/2015 22:54

Wow... You'd just love me. My one year old has a TV in her room.

Philoslothy · 21/02/2015 22:54

Unfortunately the children are starting to see the attraction of my bathroom. I found DD2 and her best friend in my bath, drinking mocktails and watching TV the other day.

Philoslothy · 21/02/2015 22:54

What is ahs?

DixieNormas · 21/02/2015 23:04

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.