Kids, Husbands and TV

[Anonymous]

Has DH educated himself about the effects of tv on children?

I, too, can sit slack-jawed in front of the tv for hours (I've lost entire weekends to Law&Order or Project Runway marathons) but all that ended with the kids. After reading the research on kids and tv I don't want my kids watching more than 30-60 minutes/day. DH should understand the effects of his behavior on his family.

[Anonymous]

Our son is two and our doctor warned us about limiting screen time until he is much older. Kids today will have screens on their phones, tv, computers and many other things. We DVR our shows and then watch them when son is in bed. For an occasional treat, we'll use a DVD when on an airplane or for a sick day - but during the daytime (including weekends) the tv generally stays off until he is in bed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We watched a lot of tv this weekend. DCs also played outside, although briefly. I don't think it's the end of the world.

I agree with this. My husband is also like the OP's, but frankly, that is who he is and he likes to unwind by watching TV. Not the end of the world. Both he and I grew up watching tons of TV, and he's a successful attorney and I have a PhD. It's not going to kill like everyone promises it will

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We watched a lot of tv this weekend. DCs also played outside, although briefly. I don't think it's the end of the world.

I agree with this. My husband is also like the OP's, but frankly, that is who he is and he likes to unwind by watching TV. Not the end of the world. Both he and I grew up watching tons of TV, and he's a successful attorney and I have a PhD. It's not going to kill like everyone promises it will

I don't think that anyone in this thread has said it will "kill everyone." Obviously it's not lethal. It is however detrimental to children; there are lots and lots of studies that demonstrate that. Also, detriment aside, if it's causing the DH not to engage with his child, that right there is a problem.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We watched a lot of tv this weekend. DCs also played outside, although briefly. I don't think it's the end of the world.

I agree with this. My husband is also like the OP's, but frankly, that is who he is and he likes to unwind by watching TV. Not the end of the world. Both he and I grew up watching tons of TV, and he's a successful attorney and I have a PhD. It's not going to kill like everyone promises it will

I don't think that anyone in this thread has said it will "kill everyone." Obviously it's not lethal. It is however detrimental to children; there are lots and lots of studies that demonstrate that. Also, detriment aside, if it's causing the DH not to engage with his child, that right there is a problem.

I guess I see a lot of this rampant in the DC area... the kid needs to be "engaged with" all the time. Don't take the baby on errands, it isn't FUN for them! You simply cannot clean while the kids ae awake, we MUST be doing earth friendly puzzles with them AT ALL TIMES. C'mon, can't the kid just play by himself for a bit while the Dad has a life of his own? Children need to learn that they aren't the very center of the universe all the time. I have met some of those kids who parents needed to "engage" with them 24/7 and they are first-class BRATS.

[Anonymous]

What is your PhD in?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What is your PhD in?

Psychology.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We watched a lot of tv this weekend. DCs also played outside, although briefly. I don't think it's the end of the world.

I agree with this. My husband is also like the OP's, but frankly, that is who he is and he likes to unwind by watching TV. Not the end of the world. Both he and I grew up watching tons of TV, and he's a successful attorney and I have a PhD. It's not going to kill like everyone promises it will

I don't think that anyone in this thread has said it will "kill everyone." Obviously it's not lethal. It is however detrimental to children; there are lots and lots of studies that demonstrate that. Also, detriment aside, if it's causing the DH not to engage with his child, that right there is a problem.

I guess I see a lot of this rampant in the DC area... the kid needs to be "engaged with" all the time. Don't take the baby on errands, it isn't FUN for them! You simply cannot clean while the kids ae awake, we MUST be doing earth friendly puzzles with them AT ALL TIMES. C'mon, can't the kid just play by himself for a bit while the Dad has a life of his own? Children need to learn that they aren't the very center of the universe all the time. I have met some of those kids who parents needed to "engage" with them 24/7 and they are first-class BRATS.

Dad's "life of his own" entails the TV being on for hours and hours at a time. By "engaging," I mean, "pay attention to your kid once in awhile."

Don't know where you got the rest of it; I didn't post anything about not taking kids on errands or doing "earth friendly puzzles" (what are those?) AT ALL TIMES (emphasis yours).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We watched a lot of tv this weekend. DCs also played outside, although briefly. I don't think it's the end of the world.

I agree with this. My husband is also like the OP's, but frankly, that is who he is and he likes to unwind by watching TV. Not the end of the world. Both he and I grew up watching tons of TV, and he's a successful attorney and I have a PhD. It's not going to kill like everyone promises it will

I don't think that anyone in this thread has said it will "kill everyone." Obviously it's not lethal. It is however detrimental to children; there are lots and lots of studies that demonstrate that. Also, detriment aside, if it's causing the DH not to engage with his child, that right there is a problem.

I guess I see a lot of this rampant in the DC area... the kid needs to be "engaged with" all the time. Don't take the baby on errands, it isn't FUN for them! You simply cannot clean while the kids ae awake, we MUST be doing earth friendly puzzles with them AT ALL TIMES. C'mon, can't the kid just play by himself for a bit while the Dad has a life of his own? Children need to learn that they aren't the very center of the universe all the time. I have met some of those kids who parents needed to "engage" with them 24/7 and they are first-class BRATS.

Dad's "life of his own" entails the TV being on for hours and hours at a time. By "engaging," I mean, "pay attention to your kid once in awhile."

Don't know where you got the rest of it; I didn't post anything about not taking kids on errands or doing "earth friendly puzzles" (what are those?) AT ALL TIMES (emphasis yours).

I'm speaking more to the tenor of this board. It's like everything has to be organic, no plastic toys, no TV, no candy at Halloween, nothing that means to be a kid. Paying attention to the kid is fine and good, but many people (not saying you implied this in your original post) but people on this board have complained before about the errand thing, the "engaging" all the time, etc. I have seen SO MANY instances where the kids are so much worse for this endless attention. THere is something to be said for teaching the kid some independence and that the world doesn't revolve around them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We watched a lot of tv this weekend. DCs also played outside, although briefly. I don't think it's the end of the world.

I agree with this. My husband is also like the OP's, but frankly, that is who he is and he likes to unwind by watching TV. Not the end of the world. Both he and I grew up watching tons of TV, and he's a successful attorney and I have a PhD. It's not going to kill like everyone promises it will

I don't think that anyone in this thread has said it will "kill everyone." Obviously it's not lethal. It is however detrimental to children; there are lots and lots of studies that demonstrate that. Also, detriment aside, if it's causing the DH not to engage with his child, that right there is a problem.

I guess I see a lot of this rampant in the DC area... the kid needs to be "engaged with" all the time. Don't take the baby on errands, it isn't FUN for them! You simply cannot clean while the kids ae awake, we MUST be doing earth friendly puzzles with them AT ALL TIMES. C'mon, can't the kid just play by himself for a bit while the Dad has a life of his own? Children need to learn that they aren't the very center of the universe all the time. I have met some of those kids who parents needed to "engage" with them 24/7 and they are first-class BRATS.

Dad's "life of his own" entails the TV being on for hours and hours at a time. By "engaging," I mean, "pay attention to your kid once in awhile."

Don't know where you got the rest of it; I didn't post anything about not taking kids on errands or doing "earth friendly puzzles" (what are those?) AT ALL TIMES (emphasis yours).

I'm speaking more to the tenor of this board. It's like everything has to be organic, no plastic toys, no TV, no candy at Halloween, nothing that means to be a kid. Paying attention to the kid is fine and good, but many people (not saying you implied this in your original post) but people on this board have complained before about the errand thing, the "engaging" all the time, etc. I have seen SO MANY instances where the kids are so much worse for this endless attention. THere is something to be said for teaching the kid some independence and that the world doesn't revolve around them.

I don't disagree. Time Magazine recently did a piece on this (overparenting).

There is indeed something to be said for teaching the kid some independence and that the world doesn't revolve around them. On the other hand, there is nothing to be said for, nothing to be gained by having the TV on for hours on end. Nothing at all.

[Anonymous]

My DH used to have the TV on all the time, more a habit than anything else. My stepdaughter began to expect it too. When we moved, we made the decision not to have a TV on the main level of the house... now my step daughter frequently forgets to ask to watch her 30-60 minutes many days the TV doesn't get turned on at all. We do have two TV's and enjoy family movie nights, watching sports and other things, but when we choose to watch TV it is a much more conscious choice... not just a habit.

[Anonymous]

My hubby is the EXACT same way and to top it off works in broadcast and so he feel JUSTIFIED and explains to me that tv is his life. So annoying! So that's fine. i can't change it, but now there are rules. 3 days a week, no tv before DD is in bed, and 2 days a week, no tv until after dinner. AND he has to help me put her to bed (bed time routine) so that way he's happy b/c after 7/88pm the tv is all his, and I'm happy b/c he's put in an effort to do family stuff.....weekends there is virtually no time for tv. He babysits one morning ie/ Sundays and I know he does it infront of the tv but i let it go b/c I can sleep in on sundays =)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We watched a lot of tv this weekend. DCs also played outside, although briefly. I don't think it's the end of the world.

I agree with this. My husband is also like the OP's, but frankly, that is who he is and he likes to unwind by watching TV. Not the end of the world. Both he and I grew up watching tons of TV, and he's a successful attorney and I have a PhD. It's not going to kill like everyone promises it will

I don't think that anyone in this thread has said it will "kill everyone." Obviously it's not lethal. It is however detrimental to children; there are lots and lots of studies that demonstrate that. Also, detriment aside, if it's causing the DH not to engage with his child, that right there is a problem.

I guess I see a lot of this rampant in the DC area... the kid needs to be "engaged with" all the time. Don't take the baby on errands, it isn't FUN for them! You simply cannot clean while the kids ae awake, we MUST be doing earth friendly puzzles with them AT ALL TIMES. C'mon, can't the kid just play by himself for a bit while the Dad has a life of his own? Children need to learn that they aren't the very center of the universe all the time. I have met some of those kids who parents needed to "engage" with them 24/7 and they are first-class BRATS.

Dad's "life of his own" entails the TV being on for hours and hours at a time. By "engaging," I mean, "pay attention to your kid once in awhile."

Don't know where you got the rest of it; I didn't post anything about not taking kids on errands or doing "earth friendly puzzles" (what are those?) AT ALL TIMES (emphasis yours).

I'm speaking more to the tenor of this board. It's like everything has to be organic, no plastic toys, no TV, no candy at Halloween, nothing that means to be a kid. Paying attention to the kid is fine and good, but many people (not saying you implied this in your original post) but people on this board have complained before about the errand thing, the "engaging" all the time, etc. I have seen SO MANY instances where the kids are so much worse for this endless attention. THere is something to be said for teaching the kid some independence and that the world doesn't revolve around them.

I agree with you so much, I could have wrote your post. I also think everything in moderation... I wouldn't want my kid watching 6 hs of TV but overparenting and the notion that your a bad parent if you don't eat organically, have plastic toys, or aren't in the anti-princess movement stresses me out...

[Anonymous]

Do you have a DVR? My DH really likes TV too, but we only turn it on after our DD goes to bed. He can then watch all his shows that have been recorded. Granted, he now only has a limited amt of time to do so, and there's always a long list of shows in his queue, but such is life. He'd rather hang with the youngster than watch TV.