Watching the boxing when you're looking after small children?

[HollyGoLoudly1]

Ok MNers, settle a discussion argument for me please! Person A wanted to watch a boxing match (proper heavyweight, knocking each other out type boxing) while looking after 3 small children 6, 3 and a baby. A put it on 'in the background' while the kids were all being 'looked after' in the living room, and of course the older kids ended up watching it. Person B thinks it's way too violent to have on with kids of that age in the room. B also thinks A should be playing/interacting with the kids, or at the very least sticking on a cartoon, and not trying to watch something on TV.

I've obviously been very subtle with the person A/B, I'm sure you have no idea which one I am Thoughts everyone?

I'd do it, don't see the problem, lighten up a bit

I would be talking with the 6 year old about how boxing isnt a scrap. It is very disciplined, the amount of training that goes into it is phenomenal.

I don’t like boxing for small children. They don’t understand it’s a sport, I don’t think.

I don't see an issue. Boxing is a sport, and I don't think adults should be expected to be in entertainment mode every time there's a child in the room.

Boxing wouldn't bother me much - it's a sport.

The level of supervision depends on the wider context I think. If A is regularly doing their own thing and leaving the kids to their own devices all day then it's pretty shit parenting.

But I don't think you need to have 100% of your focus on the kids at all times to be adequately looking after them. If A is generally an involved parent and they just really wanted to watch this one match and was genuinely keeping an eye on the kids then I think it's totally fine.

I don’t see the problem. YABU.

I can't bear boxing and I'd never watch it. Rule of thumb for me is 'if we didn't have something and we decided to introduce it, would it be palatable?'. I don't think hitting someone in the head as hard as you can would pass for 'sport' if it wasn't a tradition. Tradition is no good reason to do anything. See also: bullfighting.

I wouldn't let my 2.5 year old watch it because he's a violent little bugger at heart and would watch it, then go round knocking lumps out of everything.

When he's a bit older (another 12 months or so) and understands that it's a sport, you go and train to do it properly and is a discipline, yeah, why not. DH was a boxer and will do bags and pads with him soon enough, but would never encourage him to get in a ring.

@herculepoirot2 they do if you explain that to them

What time was it aren’t these matches on late/ overnight?

That was my first (and only) thought.

I’m a big boxing fan mainly due to growing up watching it as a kid with my Grandad. It only inspires happy memories for it and no I’m not violent or ever considered doing it myself (too soft unfortunately).

Mind you I had a pretty relaxed upbringing on some things without being feral or not being parented but I probably started watching 18 certificate movies when I was about 7 or 8 or something (not super sexually explicit) but scary films, and some violent ones.

Didn’t do me any harm as many people say but I do think it depends on the personality of the kid too as some seem to traumatised by tame things like Jurassic Park but I would have loved that at the age of 2 or 3 years old

I assume that the parent who objects to ex's TV watching habits allows the ex to monitor and criticise her watching habits?

Personally I would thank that a boxing match would be better than a diet of reality TV and soaps. It all comes down to personal opinions and, believe it or not, both parents are entitled to have differing ones.

@LadyRannaldini

I'm sorry I don't understand your post? I'm not talking about an ex partner?

It was my own DH, our DS, my DSD and my friends DC. I'm aware that we are allowed to like different tv shows, and that's not what the post is about, but thanks for clarifying

It is a sport and a great way to exercise!

My DH has been a professional boxer for 15 years.
You have to teach your children discipline if you are worried about them watching it on television.

Oh goodness, I've got no doubt it's great exercise and they must be super fit and work hard to get to the level they are. I just wasn't sure about small kids watching it but the MN jury have voted and I accept I'm being too uptight about it.

Wouldn't bother me at all. I've grown up with boxing. My dad, db and ex dh were professional boxers and my son does it. It's a sport.