“Zero screen” problem, I don’t understand you Nannie’s and Families

[Anonymous]

So after more than 15 years in the Nanny business, this is the first family that enforces “zero screen time” for the kids…. And I don’t understand it

After one year of working with a 1 and 3 year old (she’s almost 3.5), I have to say to me they’re just “different”.

I mean, they don’t know any kids characters, no Mickey mouse….
I find that very strange

Also, there are so many great shows out now that actually teach kids stuff, my other charge learned a lot by watching those shows for 30 min a day.

Or we would watch animals or trucks on YouTube, obviously just for 5 minutes
The parents had no problem with it and the child learned a lot

Can anyone pls tell me the advantages of no screen time at all?
Making memories, playing, using their brains and not hurting their eyes doesn’t seem like the biggest advantages to me.

Thank you!

[Anonymous]

I applaud the family for holding the line. Research does indicate zero screen time is best for 0-3 years when their brain is rapidly developing and use of screens could lead to communication and other developmental delays. But yes this is an ideal and most parents end up giving screen when they come home from work and need to distract the kids while they make dinner or clean house etc. but its not necessary for child development.

[Anonymous]

To each their own it’s obviously just not a good fit.

[Anonymous]

They are paying you to teach their kids.

[Anonymous]

My kids, now all adults grew up watching TV at times & they never had any developmental issues because of it.
So all the so-called “experts” who claim that TV damages a child’s mind, etc. are just meritless.

My kids have grown up normal + healthy and today are very successful adults.

Parents who do not want their Nanny to ever put on the television set on while on duty are of the mindset that they are paying their Nannies to entertain and engage with their child - not watch TV.

I personally use screen time after we have lunch so the child is occupied so I can wipe the table and counters, sweep the floor and wash the dishes/bottles.

It’s nearly impossible to do all of that when the kids are all running around.

While I can understand a parent does not want a Nanny who uses the TV as a babysitter (who can blame them??), I feel as long as a Nanny uses minimal TV time then that should be allowed.
Especially if the Nanny is there longer than five hrs. or so.

I could never work for a family that had a television set in the house yet told me I was not allowed to use it while I am there.

[Anonymous]

The baby shouldn’t be watching any TV until age 2, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Some screen time for the older child is fine per the AAP but it’s like sugar- none is better than some. It’s the parents’ decision.

To whatever extent the parents decide they will allow screen time, they are free to allot it to be during a time that conveniences them. When my husband and I get home, we need to cook dinner, clean up, and do baths and bedtime before we can finally rest. So we allot our 3 year old’s limited screen time for the period when we’re cooking or cleaning. 2-3x/week we let her watch TV while the baby gets his bath so the other parent can clean up the kitchen at 6pm instead of 8pm, meaning we get a few extra minutes to relax before we go to bed.

[Anonymous]

There's no need to know Disney characters. And you can do the research to see what the advantages are to not seeing screens. Lastly, all the things you say children can learn from tv shows, they can learn from a live person sitting next to them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There's no need to know Disney characters. And you can do the research to see what the advantages are to not seeing screens. Lastly, all the things you say children can learn from tv shows, they can learn from a live person sitting next to them.

Yes, Disney movies are not good for young children I concur.

Reason being is that someone always dies in these films.

[Anonymous]

We don't even have a TV in our home. Books, music, listening to the radio, art supplies, constructive play toys, and the great outdoors suit our kids.

[Anonymous]

We don’t have a tv so what would you do here?

[Anonymous]

They’re paying you to interact every waking minute and to exhaust, as to get their moneys worth. They see you as the help.

[Anonymous]

I don’t care if a family allows screens or not. With most families, if they don’t specifically request the kids use them, we do other things. You don’t *need* to use screens unless they’re *need* them for school.

[Anonymous]

I hope you're a troll. Who cares if a 3 year old knows who Mickey Mouse is or not?

[Anonymous]

I prefer when no screens. It's a great thing. Use books, music and toys to entertain the kids!