For thinking it's ok for DC to watch TV before school

[thirdistheonewiththehairychest]

If they're completely ready to walk out of the door.
We just got a TV in the lounge yesterday, and DH has gone a bit huffy about them watching it this morning.

Just want to check if I'm being unreasonable because DH has a tendency to be a bit of a party-pooper and I'm not sure if that is colouring my judgement and I'm unwisely pushing back against that.

Do your DC watch TV before school?

In my house there is no TV until everyone is dressed and ready for the day as I find it distracts them from getting ready. But if they are ready and it means I can have a coffee in peace before the school run/work commute chaos, its fine in my book!

Why wouldn’t they? Parents evening alone would tell you where your child is with their achievements. A 6 year old reading at this age should be celebrated! I definitely am impressed when one of my students moves beyond their reading age.

The idea of homework after school makes me feel sad. They have to do it sometime and morning works much better for us when they’re wide awake and full of energy. When we’ve done it after school they’re tired and struggle far more. And there are far more fun things to do after school, like swimming, ballet, beavers, gymnastics.

Not only does my DS10 watch TV before school but (shock horror) he eats his breakfast in front of it. There is no drama in the mornings...all he has to do is get dressed and brush his teeth, which takes a few minutes. Admittedly I only have one child but I dont get how mornings can be so stressful for some. I feel like some people make life deliberately difficult for themselves. He is well behaved and does really well at school so I don't see what is wrong with it other than not conforming to some kind of old fashioned snobbery.

TV doesn't impact his behaviour at all. Gaming does though....it's the only time he shows frustration...so that's restricted.

'The very idea of children having to do maths or spellings before a full day of school makes me feel utterly sad. Mine both went to very selective grammars with stiff entrance tests (without being tutored) and are happy children without a reliance on screens, so I’m really not feeling like a subpar parent.'

Do you think all children are the same as yours? Are you mortally offended by anyone who does things differently to you? Who has said anyone is a subpar parent?

I am surprised a little on here to find out some kids are expected the to school work in the mornings a little sad, What happened to to home work ?

My siblings and I watched a crapload of television growing up. Some of our favourite television shows included Sesame Street, Mr. Dressup, Fred Penner, Mr. Rogers’ Neighbourhood, the Muppets, Rainbow Brite, Smurfs, Scooby Doo, Care Bears, Alvin and the Chipmunks, He-Man, She-Ra, Inspector Gadget, Transformers, My Little Pony and Friends, GI Joe, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids, Looney Tunes, etc. Then, of course, there were the endless television sitcoms and serials. We even watched MASH when we really desperate, and there was nothing more interesting on. DS, on the other hand, only really watched Peppa Pig, Hey Duggee, Blippi and Bing; however, it was really only on the weekends, half-term and holidays. Unfortunately, he got stuck with a mean mum. But hey that’s life; you can pick your friends, but not your parents.

Mine used to watch tv before school. They always wanted it on so I made it part of the routine, they had to be fully washed, dressed, breakfasted, bags and shoes ready and then they could watch it until it was time to leave.

“Absolutely not. We never have the television on, apart from 45 minutes at Christmas to watch the King’s speech. Mornings are for positive affirmations, advanced maths and sitting around the table with fresh fruit and homemade muesli to have a little sing-song and to tell each other what we’re thankful for.”

I absolutely love Mumsnet, it’s fascinating how different lives can be, zero tolerance for morning tv, tv as a special treat only at weekends, chatting, singing, dancing together, homework, some of you would have a meltdown at my 1980s/90s experience.

wash myself at the bathroom sink, think I brushed my teeth after breakfast (really get some of that enamel off 😂). I’d sit on the sofa and watch as many cartoons as I wanted before leaving. I’d eat whichever cereal had the most sugar, best toys or most appealing mascot on the box and drink my cup of tea from my plastic flintstones mug. Mum would have her cup of tea and fags in the kitchen, same for all my other council estate mates. Not even being goady, this was how it was 😂😂😂😂

good on you all for you and your kids living your best wholesome tv free lives, it’s the differences in life that make it so interesting.

@Ifyoucouldreadmymindlove the King's Speech is only 10 minutes long. What do you watch for the other 35 minutes. I hope it's educational.
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

It’s only ten minutes? I’ve never watched it. Seems like it goes on forever. And ever. So boring.

Please correct my previous post to ten minutes per year. Any more than that is brain-rottingly excessive. Why goggle at a box when you can Morris dance with your parents before school?

The alternative if I didn't do anything to try and stop my ASC child indulging in their special interest would be more depressing. I'm trying my best with what I've got to deal with. I don't think I'm doing so badly when they've passed 11+ for next year.

Sometimes they choose to, sometimes they don’t and play with each other, it’s probably about 50/50. TV time is one of the things I’ve never been too fussed about tbh! I don’t let them watch Netflix / Disney stuff in the mornings and they have to be fully ready before it goes on, but it’s up to them otherwise.