s/o restricting tv

[Anonymous]

Why is it so important to restrict all tv from Sun-Fri? If a child meets all their responsibilities school and otherwise, why isn't it okay to let them chill with a 30 minute show on demand with no commercials. Are the parents doing this as well? I know sometimes I just want to relax and watch a show.

And if you're wondering, mine watch maybe one show a day. But I just don't see why to totally ban it, and am curious.

[Anonymous]

It isn't so important at all.

Mine watch TV, commercials and all. I think the box was on for a total of about 9 hours today, between On Demand, broadcast, and Wii.

During the school year it just seems to work out that the TV isn't on during the week -- they're just that busy. But we don't expressly forbid it. Why would someone do that to a child?

[Anonymous]

Depends on the kid and the family. I once walked into my stepson's room. He had the tv on, the stereo on and was IM'ing on the computer (this was a few years ago, pre-iPhone days). DH and I disagreed on how much media he could have in his own room. An hour of tv a day won't kill a kid, but priority has to be on school work and real-life extracurriculars. It's easy for kids to slide into tv or videogames so sometimes a total ban is the easiest fix.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why is it so important to restrict all tv from Sun-Fri? If a child meets all their responsibilities school and otherwise, why isn't it okay to let them chill with a 30 minute show on demand with no commercials. Are the parents doing this as well? I know sometimes I just want to relax and watch a show.

And if you're wondering, mine watch maybe one show a day. But I just don't see why to totally ban it, and am curious.

We restrict it because our kids race through homework and other responsibilities to get to screen-time, which is (obviously) a problem. We also restrict it because they have lots of obligations that are more important than TV: practicing musical instruments, chores, religious education, homework, extracurricular activities, sports, playing outside.

Sometimes we will all sit and watch something on TV, if there is time. But we are not going to put that out there as just another option when there is so much other stuff that matters more.

[Anonymous]

^^^PP here. I have boys, and it is my opinion (and I think that research supports this) that screens are particularly addictive for boys. Moreover, my boys have some attention issues (possibly ADD, which is rampant among their cousins, but mine do not have a dx). I have noticed that the more they watch/play, the more they want, and the more badly-behaved they are when they are done.

I have no interest in dealing with that cycle on a routine basis, if I can avoid it.

[Anonymous]

Totally dependent on kid and family. Some are fine with it. For some it's a weakness that interferes with other things. Some are fine at a certain age, but not so fine at a different age.

[Anonymous]

My kids come home from school and immediately watch an hour or so of TV. After a long day of school, they need to spend some time relaxing. i remember as a kid, that watching TV after school can help you forget about anything negative that happened that day. Or just make you laugh when you really need that. I think a lot of parents forget how long and grueling the school day can be. Their kids have to come home and go straight to homework because the rest of the evening is overbooked with sports and other activities.

I've noticed that the experts are starting to change their tune on the screen time issue. the world revolves around technology these days, and the kids who are not given the opportunity to practice that as they grow up might have a hard time keeping up in the workforce. There are some known benefits to playing video games and watching TV. My brother was a technology nerd before it was cool to be one. My sister and i made fun of him for all the time he spent on his computer. he was the only person i knew that had a PC at that time. My sister and I spent our time playing with our friends, playing sports, riding our bikes. Our brother has been far more successful and has greater job satisfaction than either of us. he is everyone's go-to guy for all things tech related and is loving life!

This article is kind of extreme, but makes some good points.

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/freedom-learn/201201/the-many-benefits-kids-playing-video-games

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kids come home from school and immediately watch an hour or so of TV. After a long day of school, they need to spend some time relaxing. i remember as a kid, that watching TV after school can help you forget about anything negative that happened that day. Or just make you laugh when you really need that. I think a lot of parents forget how long and grueling the school day can be. Their kids have to come home and go straight to homework because the rest of the evening is overbooked with sports and other activities.

I've noticed that the experts are starting to change their tune on the screen time issue. the world revolves around technology these days, and the kids who are not given the opportunity to practice that as they grow up might have a hard time keeping up in the workforce. There are some known benefits to playing video games and watching TV. My brother was a technology nerd before it was cool to be one. My sister and i made fun of him for all the time he spent on his computer. he was the only person i knew that had a PC at that time. My sister and I spent our time playing with our friends, playing sports, riding our bikes. Our brother has been far more successful and has greater job satisfaction than either of us. he is everyone's go-to guy for all things tech related and is loving life!

This article is kind of extreme, but makes some good points.

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/freedom-learn/201201/the-many-benefits-kids-playing-video-games

My kids shoot hoops and ride their bikes to relax after school.

[Anonymous]

My kids usually come home from school and play Mario Kart or Wii tennis. They don't play for very long, do all of their homework/chores and they're having fun together so I don't see the issue.

[Anonymous]

My child is well-behaved when there is no tv during the week, but she focuses on the tv if it is even an option, everything else (homework, reading, communicating, getting to bed, etc.) takes a backseat to potential tv watching. This is the exact opposite of what I want her priorities to be, so she gets no tv during the week. In limiting hers, I have ended up limiting mine somewhat as well (nobody is allowed to have tv while she is awake), and it has been a real benefit to me as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've noticed that the experts are starting to change their tune on the screen time issue. the world revolves around technology these days, and the kids who are not given the opportunity to practice that as they grow up might have a hard time keeping up in the workforce. There are some known benefits to playing video games and watching TV. My brother was a technology nerd before it was cool to be one. My sister and i made fun of him for all the time he spent on his computer. he was the only person i knew that had a PC at that time. My sister and I spent our time playing with our friends, playing sports, riding our bikes. Our brother has been far more successful and has greater job satisfaction than either of us. he is everyone's go-to guy for all things tech related and is loving life!

There is a big difference between your brother tinkering with computer and learning technology, and vegging out behind a TV or with a video game.

[Anonymous]

the more they watch/play, the more they want, and the more badly-behaved they are when they are done.

This is why our kids don't have watch TV or play computer games. They watch as my TV as they want on Saturday/Sunday mornings but it's too disruptive during the week. If watching TV is the only way you can relax, you've got bigger problems.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:^^^PP here. I have boys, and it is my opinion (and I think that research supports this) that screens are particularly addictive for boys. Moreover, my boys have some attention issues (possibly ADD, which is rampant among their cousins, but mine do not have a dx). I have noticed that the more they watch/play, the more they want, and the more badly-behaved they are when they are done.

I have no interest in dealing with that cycle on a routine basis, if I can avoid it.

What this poster said.

I also just really hate the constant noise and flickering light. I like music playing, but constant dialogue grates on my nerves. And the voices on most kid's shows are awful, so many are whiny and shrill, it drives me up the wall. I can't do talk radio either, even NPR gets irritating after about 30min. The light from the TV gives me a headache as well. I can do a 2hr movie, but that's my limit.

I'm hoping to keep video games out of the house for as long as possible. DS is 3.5yo right now and we don't have cable or Netflix or anything, just a small TV for his Mighty Machines DVDs and Disney VHS (yes, VHS. They're $1 at Goodwill!). I have a computer, but no smartphone, iPod, iPad or anything like that and he's only allowed on the computer if I'm right there with him. I'd rather he play with trains or color than be sitting and looking at a screen.

[Anonymous]

PP we still have a VHS also! The library (Ffx Cty) also has a ton of VHS tapes available for checking out! We have a DVD player too but it's nice to have the option if something's only available in VHS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^^^PP here. I have boys, and it is my opinion (and I think that research supports this) that screens are particularly addictive for boys. Moreover, my boys have some attention issues (possibly ADD, which is rampant among their cousins, but mine do not have a dx). I have noticed that the more they watch/play, the more they want, and the more badly-behaved they are when they are done.

I have no interest in dealing with that cycle on a routine basis, if I can avoid it.

What this poster said.

I also just really hate the constant noise and flickering light. I like music playing, but constant dialogue grates on my nerves. And the voices on most kid's shows are awful, so many are whiny and shrill, it drives me up the wall. I can't do talk radio either, even NPR gets irritating after about 30min. The light from the TV gives me a headache as well. I can do a 2hr movie, but that's my limit.

I'm hoping to keep video games out of the house for as long as possible. DS is 3.5yo right now and we don't have cable or Netflix or anything, just a small TV for his Mighty Machines DVDs and Disney VHS (yes, VHS. They're $1 at Goodwill!). I have a computer, but no smartphone, iPod, iPad or anything like that and he's only allowed on the computer if I'm right there with him. I'd rather he play with trains or color than be sitting and looking at a screen.

Ditto! We sound like two peas in a pod!