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Original poster

How can you tell if a mindee is watching a lot of TV at home?

32 replies

Ripeberry · 05/09/2010 14:37

Mindee has been away from me for over 2 weeks.
Parents at home the whole time so not on holiday but they have a new baby in the house.
Mindee only has 10 mins of TV at my house for when he has snack (carries it all over the house otherwise).

But he has been asking for the TV a lot and when it is on for those 10 mins, he is totally transfixed.

He never used to be like this before the school hols.

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autodidact · 05/09/2010 14:40

Does it really matter? I bet millions of parents turn to tv when there's a new sibling in the house! Or just in times of holiday stress.

Lulumaam · 05/09/2010 14:41

agree with autodidact

new baby probably means more TV, whether you beleive that's right or wrong

you stick to your usual routine and don't worry about the tv watching at his own home

thisisyesterday · 05/09/2010 14:43

does it matter? it's up to them how much tv they let him watch

juuule · 05/09/2010 14:48

Maybe they've not allowed him to watch any tv during the hols and he's eager to be back watching it at your house.Wink

looneytune · 05/09/2010 15:44

I'm a CM and have had the annoying nag for TV (and other stuff) after a break away etc. but honestly, it's up to them what they do at home and I'd just remind them 'at my house XYZ' and they'll soon get back to normal I'm sure :)

sorrento56 · 05/09/2010 15:55

I really don't think it is any of your business.

lifeinagoldfishbowl · 05/09/2010 15:59

It's none of your bussiness how they parent their child tbh unless you don't feel he is safe etc.

I'm glad I'm not a mindees parents worried that you would be picking up on how I parent etc.

nannynick · 05/09/2010 16:13

Stick to your usual routine... having been away he is out of the routine. It's your house, so your routines apply. Children adapt between different routines and rules quite easily... so having different routines/rules at home vs at childminders is fine.

compo · 05/09/2010 16:15

Who cares how much he's watched over the summer?!

Original poster
Ripeberry · 05/09/2010 17:01

It's just that they claim to never watch TV that's all Hmm

OP posts:
nannynick · 05/09/2010 17:04

Surely you don't believe them?

Original poster
Ripeberry · 05/09/2010 17:05

Life in a goldfish bowl. You'd be surprised, most pre-schools, nurserys, nannies and CMs do have oppinions on how mindees are parented.
It is the job of all childcare professionals to look out for any children who are at risk.

But of course TV is not one of those things, but generaly, the state of the children, if their clothes are clean, explanations for any injuries that have happened at home.

The same goes for their school life as well.

OP posts:
PixieOnaLeaf · 05/09/2010 17:05

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Original poster
Ripeberry · 05/09/2010 17:08

Nannynick, no, think they have been so busy with the new baby they have used the TV to get 5 mins peace Grin

OP posts:
juuule · 05/09/2010 17:11

If they claim not to watch any tv at all, why wouldn't you believe that? I know people who don't own a tv out of choice.

OP have they said they haven't been away on holiday?

Original poster
Ripeberry · 05/09/2010 17:31

Would you go away on holiday with newborn?
None of my business as others say, but hopefuly he will have fun doing other things now that everything is getting back to normal and we have playgroups to go to Smile

OP posts:
juuule · 05/09/2010 17:54

Depends on how new the new baby is, I suppose. We went away camping when one of ours was around 5weeks old. Brand new and the m/wife still visiting, probably not.

sailorsgal · 05/09/2010 18:06

If they don't have the tv on at all at home then maybe it seems even more enticing at yours even if it is only in small spurts.

sorrento56 · 05/09/2010 18:49

You sound very critical of the parents and appear to think you are better than them.

StarExpat · 05/09/2010 19:47

Oh goodness. I think Ripeberry was just asking in a sort of casual way because the parents claim "we never watch TV at our house" so because of the mindee's behaviour she thinks they may be stretching the truth. She probably doesn't care if the mindee watches TV at home or not. (correct me if I'm wrong, ripeberry - don't mean to put words into your mouth).

No, it doesn't matter if the child does watch it or not at home, but I don't think she meant "I think these parents are neglecting and abusing their dc because they are letting him watch TV but saying they don't". It may have been the wording of the title...

My DS probably watches more TV than he should Blush
but it's not an insane amount. And he never sits and watches a whole programme.

lifeinagoldfishbowl · 05/09/2010 19:52

I am a nanny Ripeberry and I don't bat an eyelid when my boss says she feeds my charge only organic carrot for snack and limits his tv intake - I know she doesn't - I know he watches a lot of dvds and is indulged from the basket at the top of the larder. It doesn't matter to me either way.

I really don't understand this post. Are you pointing out a funny point of interest - ie charge apparently doesn't watch Timmy - but knows the song and characters LOL or are you slightly annoyed that he wants to watch tv a lot.

My charge knows rules are different when mb is here or I'm here so it doesn't really affect me.

ayla99 · 06/09/2010 11:18

I have had 2 families who have described themselves as anti-tv and made very clear they don't want their children watching at my home (we rarely use it anyway, so no problem). On getting to know the children its clear they do watch as much tv at home as the other mindees.

Although the reason I agreed was BECAUSE they said they don't watch tv at home, I would have agreed whatever reason the parent had given. I was annoyed at first, because I feel they were less than honest and it wasn't necessary to be devious and lie about it. What it boils down to IMO is that they are entitled to watch as much or as little tv at home as they like but they want value for money in the form of different activities at childcare.

majafa · 06/09/2010 13:02

With Starexpat on this,

I would just like to say, I have also had a child who came to me who I was told by the parents he 'does'nt watch T.V at home, we'd rather he didnt here'!!

I did not use to have him during the school holidays, but he invarably came back asking to watch Mr Tumble, Lazy Town, Timmy Time, etc etc
To me that says, yes he does watch t.v at home. Simple.
Why tell the CM he does'nt?

juuule · 06/09/2010 14:12

majafa - is it possible that the little boy was looked after by grandparents or aunties, uncles or friends of the family at times during the holidays? Perhaps he watched those programs at houses other than his own.
Quite possible he did watch them at home but without knowing you are making assumptions.

StarExpat · 06/09/2010 17:25

A lot of people seem to do this in general. A friend of mine was saying "no, the dc aren't allowed to watch tv at home" and I was Hmm because I've seen them watch for hours.... But because they were watching DVDs for most of that time, she thinks it's different. LOL.
It's silly. Tv isn't the devil AND no one thinks you or your dc are any better in ANY way if they don't watch it. In fact, no one cares. So, why lie?

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