How much TV when sick?

[Anonymous]

My 3.5 year old DS has been sick with some kind of virus for 3 days - fever, cough, etc. He certainly doesn't have good energy and has been lying around, which is good. But, he has literally been watching TV (and sleeping) all day long and doing little else. We typically only allow 45 mins to an hour of screen time per day, so this is a huge luxury. I don't mind since I like to lie around and watch TV when I am sick, but am wondering if it's too much.

Do you allow unlimited screen time when your kids are sick? And, do they protest going back to limitations once they are well again? I think DS may milk this for all it's worth.

[Anonymous]

No. My kids are 3 and 4.5. They do not watch tv, even when they're sick. The only time they can watch tv is when we're in a foreign country and they are thrown by jet lag.

[Anonymous]

There are no tv limits when a kid is that sick. They may push the limits when they get better, but stick to your original 45 minute plan and don't budge and it'll get back to normal soon.

[Anonymous]

I would let the kid watch whatever in this circumstance. And in terms of winning the post-sickness screen time battle, buck up, you can do it! You're the parent!

[Anonymous]

There are no screen time rules when my kids are really sick. As they start to feel better, I start to limit again.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No. My kids are 3 and 4.5. They do not watch tv, even when they're sick. The only time they can watch tv is when we're in a foreign country and they are thrown by jet lag.

Good times.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No. My kids are 3 and 4.5. They do not watch tv, even when they're sick. The only time they can watch tv is when we're in a foreign country and they are thrown by jet lag.

You sound like a fun parent!

[Anonymous]

My son just got over a stomach virus (about 5 days or so of feeling lousy). I let him watch as much tv as he wanted. When he felt good, he was up and playing. When he felt bad, he was on the couch watching tv, sometimes for hours at a time. He was ready to get out and play as SOON as he started feeling better, and has been opting NOT to watch tv when I offer it.

I let him watch a lot of tv anyway, so he doesn't freak out for it anyway.

Don't let this worry you. Maybe your kid, like mine, will be tired of watching tv all day once he's feeling better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No. My kids are 3 and 4.5. They do not watch tv, even when they're sick. The only time they can watch tv is when we're in a foreign country and they are thrown by jet lag.

What do they do? Just lay on the couch and count down the seconds until they go to college?

[Anonymous]

Whatevs...when you are sick all the tv you want. My DD (8) was home last week sick. Being at home sick is no fun without watching morning shows, The Price is Right, numerous cartoons, and a Judge Judy or two. A time honored tradition passed down from my mom.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No. My kids are 3 and 4.5. They do not watch tv, even when they're sick. The only time they can watch tv is when we're in a foreign country and they are thrown by jet lag.

<golf clap>

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No. My kids are 3 and 4.5. They do not watch tv, even when they're sick. The only time they can watch tv is when we're in a foreign country and they are thrown by jet lag.

What do they do? Just lay on the couch and count down the seconds until they go to college?

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!

[Anonymous]

TV rules go out the window with our 3.5 year old if she's sick.

She self-regulates herself anyway. If she's feeling a bit better, she's up playing. When she feels horrible, she only wants to lay on the couch.

A couple days of watching TV won't hurt a kid.

[Anonymous]

Unlimited kids are 3 and 6.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No. My kids are 3 and 4.5. They do not watch tv, even when they're sick. The only time they can watch tv is when we're in a foreign country and they are thrown by jet lag.

What do they do? Just lay on the couch and count down the seconds until they go to college?

So many kids her are four going on 40.