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Original poster

ok honestly now, how much TV does your two year old get?

92 replies

kjaysmum · 20/09/2006 21:52

My ds is a very stroppy 2.4 and TV/DVD is one of the biggest points of contention in our house. I have set some rules, no TV before 8 in the morning then a baby einstien video (essential for a stess free nappy change) and we try to have a gap but not always, then Bob the builder for 20 minutes at 9 (if no playgroup) then off. He is waking up from his daytime nap screaming for a DVD and I've reached the end of my teather so have said no TV in the daytime until is time to cook tea then he has another hour or so until his dad gets home and then it's off. Does that sound reasonable?

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aviatrix · 21/09/2006 08:42

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NotQuiteCockney · 21/09/2006 08:55

DS2 is nearly 2. He watches maybe 30 minutes of tv per week? Maybe an hour? Depends on the week, as you'd expect, but on a normal day, he watches no tv at all.

But he is obsessed with a digger video, and will watch it if tired/ill or if I'm very busy.

I'm not at all convinced that tv is good for kids, and my DS1 will stare, goggle-eyed and blank, at any TV, showing anything (snooker, CCTV footage of nothing at all, literally anything), so I really don't like having tv on.

DS2 isn't actually that interested in tv, unless it's Bob or his beloved digger video, but I just don't see the point to tv, generally, anyway.

NotQuiteCockney · 21/09/2006 09:01

Oh, and the "other houses" thing is fine. One of my best local friends has a much more relaxed attitude to tv, so he's happy to go there and veg out. But we're generally not there more than once per week, and I do switch the telly off if my DS1 is the only one watching it, particularly if it's just whatever's on.

Pruni · 21/09/2006 09:01

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NotQuiteCockney · 21/09/2006 09:03

Oh, that one sounds good. No, ours is something sponsored by JCB I think, with a dreadful theme tune, that goes "dig dig dig dig a digging".

Boy falls asleep, and has a dream where he's touring the JCB factory. Lots of stock footage, factory footage, and footage of diggers racing and dancing (actually, the racing and dancing is ok).

Bozza · 21/09/2006 09:12

I can't remember the last time 2yo DD watched TV. I think it was the day we got back from holiday at 2.30am - so 2 September.

Now this is mainly because she is not at all interested in TV. The only reason she was watching it that day was because I was letting her and DS take it in turns to choose an episode to watch - Thomas, Bob, Tweenies etc and the competitive element of making sure DS didn't get it all his own way was involved. She probably watched about 40 mins.

Bozza · 21/09/2006 09:15

And yes you do sound sarcastic maisymog. I can tell you categorically that my 2yo DD would prefer to be with me while I clean the toilet than watching anything on TV. This is not my choice I would prefer her to be watching TV some of the time.....

FlameSparrow · 21/09/2006 10:06

I have an odd 6 month old who will lay glued to How Its Made ... It does keep him quiet so I can do stuff with DD if needs be

CheesyFeet · 21/09/2006 10:10

My dd (2.2) is always asking for CBeebies. We do try and set limits but tbh we are probably alot more lax than most.

On a weekday, no TV in the mornings at all. She goes to nursery every day. When I pick her up in the evening, she is allowed about 45 mins until CBeebies finishes at 7. They don't watch TV at nursery.

At the weekend, she watches a couple of hours in the morning if we are having a slow, lazy day (most weekend mornings then). We go out most weekend days or play in the garden. She has a couple more hours in the evening at the weekend. She only watches DVD's on long car journeys or if she is poorly.

It is a lot more though if either of us is ill.

More than some, less than others I would imagine. It's very much what individuals are comfortable with and how it fits in with the rest of your life.

Elibean · 21/09/2006 10:28

Its varied a lot - more at the moment because I'm pregnant and very tired, and if I'm honest I am sure it'll increase during winter months when BFing. A few months ago, nearly none because dd was bored of tv and wanted to play instead.

The past couple of weeks: Dora in the morning, maybe more if its not a pre-school day or dd woke up horribly early.
Then up to an hour before supper, then maybe half an hour DVD with me or her Dad (tends to be pretty interactive) before bed. So about two hours - she's nearly 3. Its more than I'd like, but my energy levels have plummeted in the last few weeks - and dd is exhausted from starting nursery and a cold. I'm not going to waste energy feeling guilty about it, but like the OP I'm aware of it becoming too important and when the time is right, will try and shift things back to how they were earlier in the summer.

hunkermunker · 21/09/2006 10:32

I'm not keen on the "don't see the point to TV" stuff, I have to say.

I know the point to it. It clothes, feeds and houses myself, DH and the boys Both DH and I are involved in the production and distribution of the stuff...

Gobbledigook · 21/09/2006 10:34

ds3 is 2.1

The TV is often on as the older two might be watching it but he doesn't really watch it. He certainly doesn't sit down and watch an entire programme.

Like the older two - he loves ROAR on BBC in the mornings 'GIGER!!!' He adores animals!

lockets · 21/09/2006 10:38

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gracej · 21/09/2006 10:39

I think TV can be addictive, in fact, I think my parents allowed me watch far too much TV when I was younger. I don't think it helped me one bit.
I am not going to make the same mistake with my kids. DS, 20 months, doesn't watch any TV. I plan to keep it that way for another year or so.
After that a film on the weekend and max 20 minutes a day (if really necessary).

melrose · 21/09/2006 10:46

I'm another one with the loads some days and very little on others, depends on the weather! My 2.3 DS has taken to waking up at 6am, so tends to get plonked in the middle of our bed with cbeebies on for an hour-ish. Then will often watch a programme when home from nursery whilst having a drink and snack, I have taken to sky+ the current favourites (Underground Ernie at the mo)Cheaper than DVDs which i do not have any of

melrose · 21/09/2006 10:47

Oh, big thing for me is turning it off unless he is actually sitting and watching it. Can't stand TV in the background.

hunkermunker · 21/09/2006 10:48

I had severely limited TV when I was a child. Even now my dad will say to me "oh, you're not watching that are you?" and roll his eyes.

So I rebelled by watching it all day at work and getting paid for it

DS1 has learnt heaps from TV. He may well have learnt the same from me, but I doubt it, because it wouldn't have occurred to me to teach the alphabet to a child who was 20 months old...

oliveoil · 21/09/2006 10:56

it is on in the morning for Barney who I detest but dd2 adores and jumps up and down saying "got big got BIG!!!!" with huge shiny eyes like only a toddler has

and at bedtime, Fifi or whatever

I really don't monitor it tbh. I like Come Outside and Something Special (both screech "JUSTIN!!!!!!" ).

I have noticed dd1 getting really into adverts which she hasn't done before, bloody Fruit Winders or something she was pestering me for the other day, ha, you'll be lucky young lady

My dad got rid of our tv when we were little and I remember being very very aware of feeling excluded at school and would not inflict that on my two, I want them to know who the annoying woman is on Lazytown with pink hair!

NotAnOtter · 21/09/2006 11:01

its not the toddler bit i object to its the 8 year old boy who loses the abililty to converse and only 'springs to life' when a screen is in the vicinity....

chestnutter · 21/09/2006 11:14

Depends how much sleep I've had the night before dealing with DS (3months).

Personally, on those days Dora is queen - she did it, she did it, she did it HOORAY!!!

Sometimes she'll go days without watching it, other days she'll watch for anything between 20 mins and an hour.

I actually think C Beebies is great and mostly educational so I'm not hung up about it. She still loves her books so not a problem.

hazelnuts · 21/09/2006 11:21

I let my dc watch a fair bit of tv. GMTV in on first thing. then Ds2 and DD have in on from time to time in the day.

The problem I have is ds1 (6) he just wants to watch tv all day (I dont let him but xp1 does)he will watch the same programmes all the time though.

multitasker · 21/09/2006 11:22

Too much probably, but thank God for Hi5.

sugarfree · 21/09/2006 11:23

Hunkermunker,can I ask what your job is,please?
[curious]

Elibean · 21/09/2006 11:33

I could watch Peppa Pig or Pingu for hours

I think I'd worry more if dd stopped wanting to play/look at her books/dance around to made up songs/go out. Which is not the case ATM.

CorrieDale · 21/09/2006 21:02

OliveOil, OT, when is Barney on in the mornings? and what channel? I haven't seen Barney in years...