| Grandparents that see 4 and 6yo about 20-25 days a year allow upwards of 5+ hours of tv when left to their own devices . They are able bodied and ask for the kids - just stick them on screens all the time. Would you say something? Just let it happen? Limit alone visits? |
Yes, I would let it go. Your kids will live. |
| Let it go, but perhaps suggest outings and communicate to them which outings are a hit/made good memories for the kids. “Larlo and Larla were in such a good mood after the pool with you, today. They laughed so much telling me about swimming with grandpa.” |
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My in-laws do this when the kids come to their house. We let it go because they are also very engaged with the kids. They play games with them, tell them stories, take them outside — the TV is just left on all day.
Now tablet/smart phone time is where I draw a line. My dad would let the kids play random games on his phone after 10 minutes of interaction. I asked him to stop. |
| Grandparents can usually handle less than they think. It'd a present for them. Just let it go but don't bring them over a lot more unless you are there too |
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My in laws see my kid about the same.
I have limited it a couple times by saying “ Larla has lost screen time today for X reason”. Larla plays along. If I’ve asked them to babysit though to help us out I try and let it go. |
| If I've asked them to babysit then I let it go. But if they are inviting them over I would ask what the plans are for the day. 5+ hours is A LOT! MY kids would be absolute terrors after thar much tv, so I wouldn't be able to let it go unless we had no other choice. |
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I'd day something. Grandparents would park my kids in front of a tv (in complete honesty, likely totaled 7 hours/day) and would set up accounts for them to play iPad games at a wildly young age (iPad, Roblox, etc.). The minute the kids walked in the door, it was a literal free for all when it came to screens.
Grandparents complained that my kids would meltdown or get cranky. And they would. And grandparents would become sensitive and hurt when we asked them not to do this. Break the cycle now. |
You're getting free childcare. Unless you are paying them you don't get to dictate how they spend the time so stop complaining. |
I came here to say the same thing. Nothing is free in this world. I love my mother, but I do not love her parenting skills. |
Yep, that’s why I would never ask my MIL to provide regular childcare for my kids. |
I’m not looking for free childcare - I can easily afford childcare when I need or want childcare |
They’re not watching the kids as a favor to me, they want the kids alone |
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You keep track of hours spent with the kids?
Let it all go. |
| Are grandparents local? |