Do you let your child watch tv all day when sick?

[Anonymous]

If that’s what they want to do, yes. Usually my sick kids do some combo of tv, ipad games, and napping (they never nap otherwise).

For those who say no, what’s the alternative? Math problems? Forced creative play? I’m genuinely curious what you ask your sick kids to do when they’re actually sick. (Not ‘haven’t yet been 24 hours fever free but mostly fine’ sick).

[Anonymous]

Yes. Even if not sick and I have to work. That's the working mommy life. Eventually it becomes ipad instead.

[Anonymous]

Yeah. If it fks his brain, so be it. Can't stand thus adhd kid

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I never did and my oldest is now 8. My kids wouldn't sit in front of the TV for more than one movie, so like 2 or 3 hours max. When sick they spent time in the bathtub, sometimes 2 baths a day, and if little enough id push them in a stroller for a long walk, or we would sit outside and paint rocks or something mindless. Also they would sleep or read, even before they could actually read. I never had a kid sick enough to need that much tv.

But clearly you aren’t working. I take off time all the time to spend the day playing with my kids. But when they’re sick I can’t always take off. When they’re sick they don’t really need you either, they need rest. I know my kids are done being sick when they’re bouncing off the walls and begging to go outside to play.

True, my kids were little pre pandemic and I didn't have the option to work from home so when one of them was sick I had to take off and you know, be a parent. Because my sick kids needed me (just like yours do). There were times I thought I might get fired if I took another sick day. And none of them were for me, if I got sick I took Sudafed and showed up for work. Imagine that! There are definitely benefits to covid and the wfh culture. Parenting young kids comes with a lot more flexibility now. But my kids never watched 8 hours of TV at age 4, so there's that too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I never did and my oldest is now 8. My kids wouldn't sit in front of the TV for more than one movie, so like 2 or 3 hours max. When sick they spent time in the bathtub, sometimes 2 baths a day, and if little enough id push them in a stroller for a long walk, or we would sit outside and paint rocks or something mindless. Also they would sleep or read, even before they could actually read. I never had a kid sick enough to need that much tv.

But clearly you aren’t working. I take off time all the time to spend the day playing with my kids. But when they’re sick I can’t always take off. When they’re sick they don’t really need you either, they need rest. I know my kids are done being sick when they’re bouncing off the walls and begging to go outside to play.

True, my kids were little pre pandemic and I didn't have the option to work from home so when one of them was sick I had to take off and you know, be a parent. Because my sick kids needed me (just like yours do). There were times I thought I might get fired if I took another sick day. And none of them were for me, if I got sick I took Sudafed and showed up for work. Imagine that! There are definitely benefits to covid and the wfh culture. Parenting young kids comes with a lot more flexibility now. But my kids never watched 8 hours of TV at age 4, so there's that too.

Somebody get the parenting medal, I think we have a winner. Congratulations!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No guilt in sick day screen time regardless of age, but I will say that at 4, if my kid was really sick, I found they were more likely to fall asleep if I read to them instead of watching TV. I remember snuggling in her bed with her at 4 and just reading stories from that big Winnie the Pooh collection until she passed out -- maybe 20-30 minutes. Then she'd sleep for hours.

Worth it to me because that's really good rest for a sick kid (better than zoning in front of the TV) plus it would buy me a couple hours of totally uninterrupted time. I might pause to take her temperature but otherwise no worries. Plus she's in her room where I can pull the blackout curtains and close the door.

But I also did plenty of TV time with no regrets. We limit it a lot usually so it's not like she was going to get used to it or think it's the new normal.

Yeah if my kid is really sick I don't want to encourage them to stay awake to watch TV. So I have them like down in their room with the shades drawn and an audiobook. They'll usually nap a few hours. If they have enough energy to play then I limit TV. They play with their toys, do arts and crafts, etc. Basically they see having several hours of uninterrupted play time (with sibling in school) as a unique opportunity that they don't typically get with school, activities, bday parties, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I never did and my oldest is now 8. My kids wouldn't sit in front of the TV for more than one movie, so like 2 or 3 hours max. When sick they spent time in the bathtub, sometimes 2 baths a day, and if little enough id push them in a stroller for a long walk, or we would sit outside and paint rocks or something mindless. Also they would sleep or read, even before they could actually read. I never had a kid sick enough to need that much tv.

But clearly you aren’t working. I take off time all the time to spend the day playing with my kids. But when they’re sick I can’t always take off. When they’re sick they don’t really need you either, they need rest. I know my kids are done being sick when they’re bouncing off the walls and begging to go outside to play.

True, my kids were little pre pandemic and I didn't have the option to work from home so when one of them was sick I had to take off and you know, be a parent. Because my sick kids needed me (just like yours do). There were times I thought I might get fired if I took another sick day. And none of them were for me, if I got sick I took Sudafed and showed up for work. Imagine that! There are definitely benefits to covid and the wfh culture. Parenting young kids comes with a lot more flexibility now. But my kids never watched 8 hours of TV at age 4, so there's that too.

So darn judgy. During that 8 hour day, they eat breakfast, lunch, nap for 2+ hours (all my sick kids nap a lot), take a bath. It's not straight tv for 8 hours. But yes, let me sit on the edge of my kids bed and nag them to play with me all day so that I can provide enriching activities and prove that I'm a better parent.

[Anonymous]

Don't feel guilt, be glad he'll sit still.

If they barely move during eating or screen break times, I just let them keep watching. You can tell when they feel better because they get off the couch when you turn the movie off and move around.

[Anonymous]

Nope. Mine gets extra screen time for sure when home sick, especially if I have to jump on a conference call or something, but it’s definitely not a free for all.

Learning apps plus quiet activities like crafts, coloring, blocks, legos, dollhouse, etc. work well. Reading books. Maybe FaceTiming a grandparent. I also keep a supply of sick day gifts and they will get a new toy if sick (something like a small Lego kit or new pack of crayons and activity book).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I never did and my oldest is now 8. My kids wouldn't sit in front of the TV for more than one movie, so like 2 or 3 hours max. When sick they spent time in the bathtub, sometimes 2 baths a day, and if little enough id push them in a stroller for a long walk, or we would sit outside and paint rocks or something mindless. Also they would sleep or read, even before they could actually read. I never had a kid sick enough to need that much tv.

But clearly you aren’t working. I take off time all the time to spend the day playing with my kids. But when they’re sick I can’t always take off. When they’re sick they don’t really need you either, they need rest. I know my kids are done being sick when they’re bouncing off the walls and begging to go outside to play.

True, my kids were little pre pandemic and I didn't have the option to work from home so when one of them was sick I had to take off and you know, be a parent. Because my sick kids needed me (just like yours do). There were times I thought I might get fired if I took another sick day. And none of them were for me, if I got sick I took Sudafed and showed up for work. Imagine that! There are definitely benefits to covid and the wfh culture. Parenting young kids comes with a lot more flexibility now. But my kids never watched 8 hours of TV at age 4, so there's that too.

So darn judgy. During that 8 hour day, they eat breakfast, lunch, nap for 2+ hours (all my sick kids nap a lot), take a bath. It's not straight tv for 8 hours. But yes, let me sit on the edge of my kids bed and nag them to play with me all day so that I can provide enriching activities and prove that I'm a better parent.

So the we are in agreement that a 4 year old watching TV "all day" is not what you do on a sick day. You parent them the best you can with meals, baths, and naps, just like I did. So both of our answers to OP is "no". Others on this thread feel differently apparently and don't blink an eye at 8 hours of TV. And yes, I do judge that, its not good for the kid and is lazy parenting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I never did and my oldest is now 8. My kids wouldn't sit in front of the TV for more than one movie, so like 2 or 3 hours max. When sick they spent time in the bathtub, sometimes 2 baths a day, and if little enough id push them in a stroller for a long walk, or we would sit outside and paint rocks or something mindless. Also they would sleep or read, even before they could actually read. I never had a kid sick enough to need that much tv.

But clearly you aren’t working. I take off time all the time to spend the day playing with my kids. But when they’re sick I can’t always take off. When they’re sick they don’t really need you either, they need rest. I know my kids are done being sick when they’re bouncing off the walls and begging to go outside to play.

True, my kids were little pre pandemic and I didn't have the option to work from home so when one of them was sick I had to take off and you know, be a parent. Because my sick kids needed me (just like yours do). There were times I thought I might get fired if I took another sick day. And none of them were for me, if I got sick I took Sudafed and showed up for work. Imagine that! There are definitely benefits to covid and the wfh culture. Parenting young kids comes with a lot more flexibility now. But my kids never watched 8 hours of TV at age 4, so there's that too.

So darn judgy. During that 8 hour day, they eat breakfast, lunch, nap for 2+ hours (all my sick kids nap a lot), take a bath. It's not straight tv for 8 hours. But yes, let me sit on the edge of my kids bed and nag them to play with me all day so that I can provide enriching activities and prove that I'm a better parent.

So the we are in agreement that a 4 year old watching TV "all day" is not what you do on a sick day. You parent them the best you can with meals, baths, and naps, just like I did. So both of our answers to OP is "no". Others on this thread feel differently apparently and don't blink an eye at 8 hours of TV. And yes, I do judge that, its not good for the kid and is lazy parenting.

DP wow you are pedantic and obsessed with judging others.

[Anonymous]

Yes - but with my son, kid audiobooks also work too. He would just sit there and listen to stories..