Nanny wants zero TV

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow, this thread went downhill fast.

OP, I think it's better for kids to watch stuff on the big screen (they can sit further without damaging their eyesight) - I'm too lazy to look it up, but I'm sure pediatrists recommend actual television over hand held devices or laptops. If that's not really a concern for you, what your nanny asked is perfectly valid and you could easily give it a go and see how it works.

However if you'd rather use the TV, I'd suggest having a time in the day/week when you allow your child to watch TV to be clearly defined (like, while Mummy and Daddy are cleaning up the table after dinner), and use a timer if you're allowing more than one episode of whatever it is. This way the nanny can say that the TV only works at that specific time when the parents are home. Your kid might ask a few times, but if you're consistent with when and how you let the kid watch TV, it wouldn't be a problem after a few no's.

Teach child to watch tv while mommy and daddy clean? In my house a toddler can 'help' clean.

That was an example. Should I have said 'while Mummy and Daddy sort out the mail?" Come on.

[Anonymous]

I have 3 year old triplet charges. They watch no TV with me at all, but watch a fair amount with both Mom and Dad on the big TV in the living room and the family room. I've never had one tantrum from them about TV. Honestly they never even ask me because I've never turned it on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have 3 year old triplet charges. They watch no TV with me at all, but watch a fair amount with both Mom and Dad on the big TV in the living room and the family room. I've never had one tantrum from them about TV. Honestly they never even ask me because I've never turned it on.

You're lucky. My DD throws a tantrum frequently when she can't watch TV. I wish I had thought of only letting her watch TV on our laptops and then could put the laptops away - or not let her watch TV at all. She is 2.5 and exceptionally willful.

[Anonymous]

I can't believe parents today can still be so naive about television. I have a 6 year old who has never watched TV in our house (he has seen TV at friends houses and occasionally at school or other events, but luckily it hasn't done harm). I have seen him become mesmerized by TVs such as the small TV embedded in the vending machine near the elevator in a building we frequent that only scrolls coke ads. He will stand and stare the whole time we wait for the elevator. Things like that make me glad I have never introduced TV and remind me why I am choosing to continue to never introduce it.

Even "educational" shows have no benefit, it's just a buzz word. You can provide much much more education in 30 minutes by spending time with your child than they could get from any show out there. My child is 6 and reads at a 4th grade level, excels at all areas of school, thrives on learning and knowledge, loves sports and being active, loves to help and cook and clean and be a equal part of the family. TV could not in any way benefit him, me, or this family. And those of you stuck in cycles of fighting about TV should consider taking the leap back and cutting it out 100%.

[Anonymous]

OP, no I don't think it's necessary to only allow watching on a laptop. Your child will figure out that there's no TV when nanny is there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have 3 year old triplet charges. They watch no TV with me at all, but watch a fair amount with both Mom and Dad on the big TV in the living room and the family room. I've never had one tantrum from them about TV. Honestly they never even ask me because I've never turned it on.

You're lucky. My DD throws a tantrum frequently when she can't watch TV. I wish I had thought of only letting her watch TV on our laptops and then could put the laptops away - or not let her watch TV at all. She is 2.5 and exceptionally willful.

That's because she watches TV with you and you have likely given in to at least 1 tantrum in her life. I'm sure that my charges as both my MB and DB to watch TV and very well may throw a tantrum for them because as I stated before they watch a fair amount of TV with them.

I think you missed my point when I said I've never once turned it on for them. In their world TV doesn't exist when I'm there so they don't even ask me for TV. I think the nanny in this situation is overthinking the issue. If you never turn the TV on when you are with the children, the chances of dealing with tantrums over it are very slim at this age. Now as they get older it becomes harder, but I've never had an issue with toddlers.

[Anonymous]

Why not learn a few things from a smart nanny?
Isn't that why you hired her?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can't believe parents today can still be so naive about television. I have a 6 year old who has never watched TV in our house (he has seen TV at friends houses and occasionally at school or other events, but luckily it hasn't done harm). I have seen him become mesmerized by TVs such as the small TV embedded in the vending machine near the elevator in a building we frequent that only scrolls coke ads. He will stand and stare the whole time we wait for the elevator. Things like that make me glad I have never introduced TV and remind me why I am choosing to continue to never introduce it.

Even "educational" shows have no benefit, it's just a buzz word. You can provide much much more education in 30 minutes by spending time with your child than they could get from any show out there. My child is 6 and reads at a 4th grade level, excels at all areas of school, thrives on learning and knowledge, loves sports and being active, loves to help and cook and clean and be a equal part of the family. TV could not in any way benefit him, me, or this family. And those of you stuck in cycles of fighting about TV should consider taking the leap back and cutting it out 100%.

We never fight over the tv but at the same time we have no tv restrictions. They are not mesmerized by it and 1/2 the time could care less to watch it. Allowing unlimited screen time works wonderfully for us.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Nanny is overstepping her boundaries her BIG time OP.

She has absolutely no right to tell you what you can or cannot do with your own child when she is not there.

She's an idiot.

If she cannot handle re-direction with your child regarding the T.V., then I hate to tell you this, but she is not as great and experienced as you think she is.

OP here and I couldn't disagree with you more. We hired an educated and experienced nanny for these types of decisions. I most certainly respect a nanny who does NOT want to take the easy way out and plunk my child in front of the TV!!!

This was her request - so calm down, PP. She is not telling us anything. Neither she nor I want our child to have any more tantrums then necessary. We are all of the school that we avoid tantrum-triggers.

You are missing the point here OP....PP Here.

I was not saying that your nanny wants to sit your child in front of the T.V. all day, I never even insinuated that she did. You are just assuming something from nothing.

I am going by the context of your question here. And that is focused purely on principle. Nothing else. I was just telling you that I believe a nanny has no right to tell you what you can or cannot do while she is not there. You stated she doesn't TELL you, she instead ASKS you. Sounds more like a statement vs. a question, but regardless the outcome (answer) is still the same no matter how you paraphrase it.

[Anonymous]

I think your nanny's request is very reasonable. What's the problem with limiting screen time to your laptops? That reinforces the idea that TV programs are limited to occasional viewing, not available all day long, front & center in the living room.

Also, your subject heading is misleading.

-Parent, not a nanny

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think your nanny's request is very reasonable. What's the problem with limiting screen time to your laptops? That reinforces the idea that TV programs are limited to occasional viewing, not available all day long, front & center in the living room.

Also, your subject heading is misleading.

-Parent, not a nanny

+ 1 Also a parent/employer. Your nanny has a good idea on this. It will avoid tantrums for you too, OP, if the laptop is not in plain sight.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can't believe parents today can still be so naive about television. I have a 6 year old who has never watched TV in our house (he has seen TV at friends houses and occasionally at school or other events, but luckily it hasn't done harm). I have seen him become mesmerized by TVs such as the small TV embedded in the vending machine near the elevator in a building we frequent that only scrolls coke ads. He will stand and stare the whole time we wait for the elevator. Things like that make me glad I have never introduced TV and remind me why I am choosing to continue to never introduce it.

Even "educational" shows have no benefit, it's just a buzz word. You can provide much much more education in 30 minutes by spending time with your child than they could get from any show out there. My child is 6 and reads at a 4th grade level, excels at all areas of school, thrives on learning and knowledge, loves sports and being active, loves to help and cook and clean and be a equal part of the family. TV could not in any way benefit him, me, or this family. And those of you stuck in cycles of fighting about TV should consider taking the leap back and cutting it out 100%.

I can't believe there is anyone alive who thinks every child is like their child, and every family is like their family. Somewhere, there's a child just like yours or smarter who watches all the TV he or she wants. Somewhere, there are families where there is zero fighting about TV.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can't believe parents today can still be so naive about television. I have a 6 year old who has never watched TV in our house (he has seen TV at friends houses and occasionally at school or other events, but luckily it hasn't done harm). I have seen him become mesmerized by TVs such as the small TV embedded in the vending machine near the elevator in a building we frequent that only scrolls coke ads. He will stand and stare the whole time we wait for the elevator. Things like that make me glad I have never introduced TV and remind me why I am choosing to continue to never introduce it.

Even "educational" shows have no benefit, it's just a buzz word. You can provide much much more education in 30 minutes by spending time with your child than they could get from any show out there. My child is 6 and reads at a 4th grade level, excels at all areas of school, thrives on learning and knowledge, loves sports and being active, loves to help and cook and clean and be a equal part of the family. TV could not in any way benefit him, me, or this family. And those of you stuck in cycles of fighting about TV should consider taking the leap back and cutting it out 100%.

I can't believe there is anyone alive who thinks every child is like their child, and every family is like their family. Somewhere, there's a child just like yours or smarter who watches all the TV he or she wants. Somewhere, there are families where there is zero fighting about TV.

And for the other 99% of the families they should follow my lead. What is your point? Ignore the outlier and focus on what matters.

[Anonymous]

I'm too busy to read the thread but I do have time to weigh in.

I'm a nanny, a great one, and we rarely watch tv. Think sick days or after a long trip, never part of our regular routine. The toddler will watch some minimal tv with her parents (on the tv) though, and somehow it's never been an issue for us.

I think it's crazy to ask a family not to use their television to make your job a TINY bit easier. It's not difficult to teach kids, even toddlers, that TV is a special treat you enjoy with mom and dad. OP, your nanny is crossing a boundary but rather than get wrapped up in it tell her you've decided you will be watching family shows on the big screen but you and your husband will continue to message that it is a treat to enjoy with mom and dad. She should have no trouble reinforcing that if your kids hear it clearly from you.

[Anonymous]

TV is how you dumb down a child.
Why do you think it's called the idiot box?