Do you watch TV while nannying?

[Anonymous]

If so how much per day? I am not talking about kids programming. When - are the children asleep or awake? Are there typically restrictions on the tv watched by the nanny in nanny contracts?

[Anonymous]

When I was a nanny, I did not watch tv when the children were not around. And when I was with the children, they were only allowed to watch tv with me when they were sick.

[Anonymous]

Nope no TV at all. I work with infants and its not good for them, evening in the background. During any down time when they're sleeping, I read mostly.

[Anonymous]

I watched some tv when my youngest charge was a newborn and older was in preschool. Most of the time though I wouldn't. Even when the kids are asleep and my others tasks are done, I prefer to read and have some quiet

[Anonymous]

When I used to nanny full-time, sometimes yes. The kids napped for 2 to 2.5 hours during the day and after picking up after lunch and doing any needed household tasks, I would watch shows that I wanted for about an hour or read. Of course parents knew as they worked half the time in the home and I don't see why it would be a problem.

As for the kids, they were allowed to watch 1 hour of tv of kids' programming.

[Anonymous]

I'll cop to being a TV junkie. I'll watch during most naps (after I've cleaned up and done any other necessary chores). Not while the kids are up though, if they're up and the TV is on, it's for their own allotment of screen time.

[Anonymous]

I'm not a fan of watching tv while working. I much rather read a book or play around on my phone while my charges are napping and all my other tasks are completed.

[Anonymous]

Yeah, when I'm folding laundry during the toddler's nap.

[Anonymous]

I watch tv if the kids are at school and all my other work is done. Occasionally I will watch it if they are playing together in another room. Before anyone jumps all over me and calls me a bad nanny, my boss is well aware of this and has no problem with it. She loves that the kids enjoy playing together without an adult constantly entertaining them.

[Anonymous]

I don't watch any tv while at work. It's not addressed in my work agreement, but I see no need to watch it when I could read or do some work online.

FWIW the kids don't watch tv either on my watch except for very rare occasions. I think it's happened maybe 4 times in 3 1/2 years (not including summer Olympics). Once (actually twice b/c we split it up) to watch a movie after we finished reading the book, another time when one had a violent stomach bug, and yesterday since I was leaving early and MB wasn't finished with a conference call yet.

[Anonymous]

I guess I'll be honest since everyone else is acting like the TV is a demon sent from Hell.

Yes, when the children are asleep and I'm done with all the housework I watch TV or catch up on my schooling.

[Anonymous]

I'll be honest too, I watch when they are taking a nap and sometimes we have it on in the background, usually cooking/travel shows or the nature series on BBC and National Geographic. The kids don't watch, as they are busy playing, but it is nice to have the background noise (we listen to music and NPR too, but there is only so much I can take without needing a bit of distraction). The kids get to play independently and I am not bored out of my mind, win win situation. Amazingly, I can do laundry, clean, and make lunch with the television on.

[Anonymous]

Why do you posters who do watch tv assume those who say they don't are lying? My husband and I don't even have a tv in our apartment, why would I feel the need to watch one at work? I don't demonized tv, its just not how I spend my time. I do feel its not good for young children, and use music as our background noise during the day. Even that isn't on all day, because its good for them to hear me speaking without other distracting noises.

[Anonymous]

No, but don't watch at home either.

[Anonymous]

I am a tv junkie but I don't watch at work. Not just because I would rather it be quiet during downtime, but also because there is nothing good on during the day. I like to watch certain tv shows and I record them on my Tivo. I would prefer to spend my tv hours watching these shows and not just anything that is on. I don't channel surf or try to find something that is on. I also don't like to be interrupted while watching a good show, and so this does not always happen at work. I prefer to leave it until I am at home and can watch what I want without being disturbed.