Television in a 3 year olds room

[Anonymous]

I was just wondering how many people have a t.v. with an HD box in their 3 year olds room. I had someone tell me recently that their DC has just that and I was kinda taken aback. It's not a good or bad thing really, as I am not one to judge...however, for me that seems a bit much for a 3 year old. Perhaps it's because I never did have a t.v. in my room as my Mom wanted my room to be only for sleep...and it has benefitted me greatly. Maybe even if it was a t.v. with a built in DVD player for certain times, just to watch a movie..that I could understand. I was just a bit surprised and wondered how many other people do the same for their kids.

[Anonymous]

are you serious? or looking to feel better that you don't do this? hey-anyone can throw $ at this but do you really think you're depriving your kid by not having a tv i their room YEARS before it becomes more common for their age..

[Anonymous]

OP here. I am honestly just curious. I personally will not let my DC have one in their room...but that is what I feel is best. I really am just a bit taken aback that they would have a t.v. with an HD box in their child's room at that age. I am seriously not judging them as this is what they feel is best for their DC. I have just never known anyone who's child of that age has that in their bedroom.

[Anonymous]

We don't have TV at all, and our kids don't miss it. I'd never put a TV in a child's room at any age. And yes, I do think it's wrong and bad parenting if parents do this. My own brother's kid has a TV in his room as well as a computer, which I think is wrong too. My kids have no access to the Internet except when I'm there and watching. TV and the Internet provide easy access to much stuff I don't think kids should be seeing. Honestly, I can't believe a parent would think it's GOOD for their child to have a TV in his room, especially a preschooler.

My kids read lots of books and watch DVDs on the computer on occasion. DH and I watch TV on the computer when we're desperate for Gray's Anatomy. But that's it.

BTW, we used to have a TV, but got rid of it when the kids started fighting over it. Live is much more peaceful now.

[Anonymous]

That's life, not live. Late.

[Anonymous]

I'm not a fan of it, but can think of worse things.

[Anonymous]

Yes, we have a tv in DD's room (she's 4, but we had it when she was 3). It does not have an HD box, but rather is hooked up to a device so she can watch movies and shows we have on the computer. It is great when she's sick and wants to lie in bed and watch something, but truthfully, it hasn't been turned on in several months.

And my DD has access to the internet through our computers, and she uses it to play games on Playhouse Disney. She probably does this for about an hour or two a week. Overall, she'd rather sit and read a book or draw and color or go outside and pick flowers.

[Anonymous]

I never had a TV in my bedroom (and still don't); my kids will never have a TV in their room. (Or so I say now that they're 4 and 6--check back in 10 years, and I may be eating crow.)

[Anonymous]

Never had a tv in my bedroom - still don't - and my kids won't either. We have one television in our house (although its rather large). We will probably get another one in a couple years to go in the basement for video game playing, but the kids are too young for that now. Don't see the point in having a tv in a 3 year old's room. If they're watching shows, why can't it be in the family or living room? Also, having the tv in the common rooms provides learning opportunities for taking turns and sharing between my 4 and 2 year old (admittedly, the 2 year old doesn't quite get it yet).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was just wondering how many people have a t.v. with an HD box in their 3 year olds room. I had someone tell me recently that their DC has just that and I was kinda taken aback. It's not a good or bad thing really, as I am not one to judge...however, for me that seems a bit much for a 3 year old. Perhaps it's because I never did have a t.v. in my room as my Mom wanted my room to be only for sleep...and it has benefitted me greatly. Maybe even if it was a t.v. with a built in DVD player for certain times, just to watch a movie..that I could understand. I was just a bit surprised and wondered how many other people do the same for their kids.

IMO this is a huge mistake. My oldest is 16 now and has had several friends and cousins who have had TV's in their rooms as early as 3. And I definitely see a pattern between this and poor grades and constant craving of material items. And worse yet, try having an overindulged kid as a guest for a couple of days or even a few hours. It is a constant "I'm bored". They are happy doing something for 15 minutes and then want to be provided with a new source of entertainment.

I am big on raising kids "low tech". Endless supplies of books and art supplies that they have access to. They learn how to entertain themselves. I have no problem with a few tv shows a week or a movie or two on a rainy day, but constant access to the idiot box. BIG MISTAKE.

[Anonymous]

My son isn't even allowed to watch TV yet (he's only 9 months), but there is zero chance he will have a TV in his room anytime in the next decade.

[Anonymous]

I got a TV in my room (a little B&W, no cable) when I was in middle school, maybe early high school. My toddler won't be getting a television in his room until maybe around the same age - maybe not even then, but we'll cross that bridge - but definitely not before.

[Anonymous]

OP, I think you know how the VAST majority of people on this board will respond. I would NEVER put a TV in my child's room but we do have a TV in the living room and one downstairs in the playroom. Interestingly, I had a TV in my room growing up and I always had it on as background noise while I colored, played, etc. and I'm really good at working in noisy/distracting environments. My DH needs absolute silence and no distractions to be able to work and had no TV when growing up. Now that we're adults, I'm the one sick of TV and rarely watch it and he is the TV addict. So moderation for all seems to be the solution.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, I think you know how the VAST majority of people on this board will respond. I would NEVER put a TV in my child's room but we do have a TV in the living room and one downstairs in the playroom. Interestingly, I had a TV in my room growing up and I always had it on as background noise while I colored, played, etc. and I'm really good at working in noisy/distracting environments. My DH needs absolute silence and no distractions to be able to work and had no TV when growing up. Now that we're adults, I'm the one sick of TV and rarely watch it and he is the TV addict. So moderation for all seems to be the solution.

That's funny -- I was allowed to watch more TV as a child than my DH was, and now I'm the one less interested in it and he is totally ADDICTED -- has to have it on to fall asleep! To answer the OP's question -- in my opinion 3 years old is too young to have a t.v. in a child's room. I am going to strive to never have one in DD's room, although I could change my mind once she's in middle-school or high-school. My DD is 2.5, and we have a TV in our living room and play room and she watches a little bit almost every day -- some days more, some days none. I try to limit it and encourage other activities first. I'm also pretty picky about what shows she watches (mostly PBS shows and DVDs). I know the OP didn't ask for all that info. but just thought I'd share.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I am honestly just curious. I personally will not let my DC have one in their room...but that is what I feel is best. I really am just a bit taken aback that they would have a t.v. with an HD box in their child's room at that age. I am seriously not judging them as this is what they feel is best for their DC. I have just never known anyone who's child of that age has that in their bedroom.

OF COURSE you are judging. Admit it!