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Behaviour/development

Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

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Original poster

Go on, admit it, how much telly do your kids watch...?

22 replies

MissMoopy · 14/01/2010 19:56

I ask because of holier than thou Davina McCall saying in an interview that she limits her children to 1 hour 15 minutes per day
I don't really limit my dd (5) to how much tv or computer time she has. I figure she is busy at school all day, has other interests such as choir/Rainbows etc so if she wants to veg out in front of tv/computer some days after school then thats ok. We take her to museums, holidays, etc. We read, we talk. Why do people, especially bloody celebrities, behave like letting your child watch telly is tantamount to child abuse?
Surely its what they watch, not how much?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

cocolepew · 14/01/2010 19:56

Bloody loads.

JackBauer · 14/01/2010 19:59

Loads. DD1 has had chicken pox and along with the snow we have been stuck inside for 2 weeks now.
The telly has hardly been off, it's either on for them to stop them killing each other or for me so I can get 'adult' conversation from watching repeats of come dine with me or DIY SOS.

Normally it is on after breakfast for half an hour (before school run) if they got dressed and ate properly so I can get myself ready, then again after lunch for a bit, then once DH gets home it is on all the time.

JackBauer · 14/01/2010 20:00

Also, (and this is a big confession) I use it as childcare and a 'behaviour control'
If they start fighting I know a careful application of Pocoyo or Pingu or a film will stop them.
it's either that or screechy mummy.

Oblomov · 14/01/2010 20:15

Loads. watches it all day given half a chance.

Lotkinsgonecurly · 14/01/2010 20:16

It really does vary, at the moment much to my disgust the DC want to be played with all the time and will not watch it! . How irritating, but they will watch it in the morning before breakfast so probably about an hour and a half a day. Some days less, some more.

addictedtolatte · 14/01/2010 20:19

my nephews watch telly a lot. when you ask the 6 year old where he learnt the things he talks about. he always replies telly. he never replies school so telly cant be that bad if its learning them things. well thats my excuse anyway

NotAnOtter · 14/01/2010 20:21

i am one of those annoying people who only let their children watch dvds

they watch them friday nights and weekends

Original poster

MissMoopy · 14/01/2010 20:42

I have never understood people who say they don't watch tv, just DVD's? Same thing really.

OP posts:

Bobbiewickham · 14/01/2010 20:46

Let's face it, if I was Davina Mcall, I wouldn't let my kids watch telly either, in case they saw me in that bloody red leotard with the massive gusset.

Scar 'em for life, poor little buggers.

Funny how Madonna won't let her kids watch it either.

It always celebrities who ban telly. This is because

a) Their kids might see them doing something mortifying.

b) They have nannies to enforce the ban and don't have to put up with the whining/sofa chewing/doing something educational with the kids instead.

God, I'd be Rule Queen if I could do it by proxy...

almostreal · 14/01/2010 20:46

Not really MissMoopy as DVDs don't have adverts every 10 minds, you have more control on the content and they last a set amount of time.

Original poster

MissMoopy · 14/01/2010 20:50

I see your point, however not all channels have adverts.

Think your right Bobbie, if I had a nanny I would ban tv too! But only on the days the nanny was in!!

I genuinely do not understand peoples problem with kids watching tv, as long as thats not all they do.

OP posts:

MrsMattie · 14/01/2010 20:53

Not much, to be fair. Maybe one or two CBeebies programmes in the bedtime hour.

It used to be loads more before DS started school. When I was at home with two little ones the TV might be on for a couple of hours in the afternoon. And when I was pregnant with a boisterous toddler I think DS spent half the day watching DVDs

Cyb · 14/01/2010 20:55

too bloody much . But I dont think I'd have it any other way

pastagirl · 14/01/2010 20:57

you know Davina probably has a nanny and a house keeper so does not require in the night garden like i do to get dinner on the table..............

BelleDameSansMerci · 14/01/2010 20:58

On weekdays, a little in the morning (so I can have a shower) and in the evening approx half an hour. DD (2.4) loves Humpf. Sits in complete, rapt silence.

At the weekend though the tv is on quite a lot although she doesn't always watch it. We do lots of arts/crafts things but as I'm single I find it helps me to get things done if she's busy for a half an hour to an hour. She loves Peppa Pig so that's always a good one.

Hulababy · 14/01/2010 21:02

I don't limit DD as such, although may sggest the TV goes off on occassions.

It varies loads too.

Today 7y DD watched no TV at all. After school she played.

Yesterday she watched 15 minutes during breakfast; she went to a friends after school.

However, on Monday, she came home early as I had just come out of hospital.. We spent a good couple of hours snuggled watching a film, plus I know she;d watched some Tv before school.

Last week she was off school due to the snow. I was ill and we couldn't go out, so she probably watched 1-2 horus on off, plus had a lot of screen times via the Wii and her laptop.

I don't see TV as evil or bad. It is just one of many activities DD may chose to engage in.

Hulababy · 14/01/2010 21:04

DVD and TV is same thing IMO; both screen time. Disney Channel and the BBC channels don't have ads either.

choufleur · 14/01/2010 21:04

too much, but then we do loads of other stuff too.

davina has loads of kids. does she ration teh 75mins between them all or is that 75 mins each?

Meglet · 14/01/2010 21:05

All the time if we're at home, it's on and they play / squabble and half watch it. My ears perk up when Sid & Andy do a number rap and I run into the room and sign enthusiastically when Justin is on .

Agree that slebs have staff to help enforce the ban. I have a tiny house and no partner to help keep the peace. WW3 tends to break out if I want to get something done and it's not on. The dc's are at nursery 3 days a week so they don't get cbeebies there at least. My mum is pretty good and just plays with them if she is here, although even she now resorts to tv if she makes their lunch.

Roll on summer when I can kick them out in the garden.

Original poster

MissMoopy · 14/01/2010 21:12

Meglet, I think the weather definitely affects tv consumption. In spring/summer more likely to be at park, in garden etc.

Love idea of Davinas kids having to share the 75 mins! Do you think they have timers!!??

I too will admit that I use telly/computer so I can cook, clean etc etc. Life is like that with children and everyone who manages to get things done without use of tv as "babysitter" I would love to know how!?

OP posts:

NotAnOtter · 14/01/2010 21:14

the reason i prefer dvds is not primarily the adverts it's the programs
have watched charlie and lola recently though and liked it

pastagirl · 14/01/2010 21:48

I think TV is ok, it is a tool in your arsenal and is to be used as such. I certainly do, my DS does not really watch it alot ( but mainly because he is not so interested, he is only 2) but when he does it gets his full attention and can be really useful. Is neither good nor bad. I use it to get dinner on the table or washing folded if he is struggling with tiredness. And we are a bi-lingual family so i happily say to myself i will put on Tchoupi ( excellent french preschooler cartoon that my DS is besotted with) and smugly tell myself it is helping his french!!!
he does not like charlie and lola but i do!. i want to have lola's wardrobe, she has some fantastic dresses

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