screentime

[mysafespace96]

i always feel guilty for giving my toddler screentime, knowing it's 30 to 60 minutes a day. but sometimes i need to take time off and to have some quiet time. her father always makes me feel guilty even for those 30 min. saying i should be doing any kind of activity with her.. she's only 18 months. what kind of activities to be done with her, i spend time with her and play together,, he thinks i should be doing something that helps her develop her skills or anything useful.. i already have house chores and another toddler who i sent to the nursery. i just feel like i am being criticized for no valid reason.

Books! Books and more books!

I wouldn’t stick an 18 month old in front of a screen for any length of time, sorry.

They still nap at this point, so you get your downtime for an hour or two while they nap. But also her dad should be doing some parenting solo to give you a break. He may be at work all day, but when he comes home, he’s on daddy duty til bedtime. Then you can use those couple hours to get anything done.

If you really need more time during the day, send her to nursery too for a bit. It’s much better for her than a screen and it’s a nice change of routine.

At that age is she not just happy to be near you while you do stuff? My inlaws had a baby cage on wheels and would just drag him about the house with them while they did stuff nearby.
At my lowest energy point I would put the kid in his child proofed room with all the toys in the world and just lie down in front of, across the door on the floor and doze. Not ideal or elegant, but no anxiety he was going to go anywhere of get hurt.

That's a lot of screen time at 18 months, sorry.

Get a toddler tower for when you're cooking, my DS loves it.

I also put him in the high chair and give him some books, he likes that too.

And I assume you have a playpen?

He should be having an hour nap a day as well.

We have a mixed relationship with screen time in this house. My LO (a few months older than yours) does get a similar amount of screen time, mostly with me watching with him. We have learnt colours and shapes as a result. However, I need to keep it in within his schedule (a bit in the morning and bit after nursery) otherwise he will start wanting to watch it all the time which I’m not ok with and leads to some tantrums.

Ultimately, as long as you’re happy with your daughter’s development and behaviour, I don’t see an issue with your approach. You need to ensure you’re getting the time you need to be a good parent, and to recharge, in whatever way works for you and your family. I don’t think TV is damaging per se, but it does seem to depend on the individual.