How much TV do your kids really watch??

[mamaoftwo]

The amount of TV my kids watch is creeping up. How much do you let them watch (pre-school age).

My kids watch cbeebies for about an hour at the end of the day and more recenlty a children's video at some point during the day too. Also about half an hour in the morning if they wake really early and I need some space to get ready.... Plus when I need half an hour on MN... OMG!

I've deliberately cut down on their TV and they don't watch it every day by any means. (I had noticed it creeping up and was worried).

It adds up to less than three hours a week now and I can honestly say that behaviour has improved. We bought loads of art stuff and they tend to do loads of that instead.

Smug, moi?

Yours sounds pretty moderate though.

You deserve to be smug Spidermama. I would if I was you!

what do you do with them when you go on MN?

too much. its on all day but she doesnt really "watch it" its just background while she plays

They draw, play with each other or with their dad.

I'm on the skive now as I'm supposed to be getting ready to go out to my class but couldn't resist just a quick peek at what you ladies are up to.

the t/v is always on in the back ground - whilse she's playing

Mine is on as background a lot of the time, but she normally ignores it. Most of the time it is on a music channel for me!

Way too much, but it's because I'm trying to organize an international move! Aaack!

2 progs a day ration

My DS is two and I think he watches too much. If I didn't drag him away he would probably watch 4 hours a day quite happily, if not more.

He loves seeing Winnie the Pooh videos over and over again. And he likes watching cbeebies. He turns the tv on as soon as he gets in the house.

I try to distract him with books and games but I can see he is getting more resistant to my distractions.

He has always been full of energy and has a real zest for life, so I don't worry too much. I try and take him out a lot in the day, to burn off his energy and then I don't feel too bad if he flakes out in front of the tv for a rest afterwards. It also gives us a chance to cuddle up (and me to rest) which I really love.

He loves books, so I'm not too worried. But I do feel guilty when it's on because I'm trying to get something else done.

no t much more internet and ps2 or going out playing and bike riding and getting stoned - whilst on bike sometimes.

I do worry that ds watches too much (especially now, with me pregnant and exhausted) and I think a lot of it is dh's influence - he grew up with a lot more telly than I did. But saying that, ds is not obsessed with it, and often goes and turns it off to go 'play cars' or something. As I grew up with very rationed telly, we as kids were obsessed by it! So in a way, I like that aspect of it. He also speaks quite a bit of spanish from good old Dora!

2-3 hours a day, every day. She is three.

DS1 (5.7)watches Raven on CBBC in the morning before school (8.00-8.30). Then he prances around the house in a cape being a warrior.

He usually watches about half to one hour of DVD/video before bed, but since he started in Yr 1 has homework and so much else going on sometimes he doesn't watch any.

More at weekends - about an hour after breakfast and 1-2 hours at night.

DS2 not interested in TV at all yet (18mo). Must admit am looking forward to the day when I can plonk him down in front of Cbeebies for half an hour.

As I've said on a previous thread, much of what he watches on TV (ie Newsround) sparks his imagination and teaches him interesting things. And some of it is just chill out stuff.