Anonymous wrote:I've babysat children in many homes and when TV is around the behavior described by OP seems to be the norm. The thing is parents just sometimes are clueless about how to keep their children entertained around the house. I noticed In homes where there are no television, the children used their imagination to come up with fun things to do, their attention span is a little longer and were more inquisitive. So definetely it has an effect. I was born and raised outside the US and only watched cartoon 1-3 times a week for one hour each because that's how many times cartoon is on TV lool and I didnt watch it religiously. Now that I am an adult, TV really isnt an interest to me. Sometimes I watch it and sometimes I dont. I plan to do the same with my children.

Same. I didn't have a television until I was 13, although I've always lived in the US. I've lived with families who had a television and families who didn't, and I much prefer the latter.

I've babysat children in many homes and when TV is around the behavior described by OP seems to be the norm. The thing is parents just sometimes are clueless about how to keep their children entertained around the house. I noticed In homes where there are no television, the children used their imagination to come up with fun things to do, their attention span is a little longer and were more inquisitive. So definetely it has an effect. I was born and raised outside the US and only watched cartoon 1-3 times a week for one hour each because that's how many times cartoon is on TV lool and I didnt watch it religiously. Now that I am an adult, TV really isnt an interest to me. Sometimes I watch it and sometimes I dont. I plan to do the same with my children.

I started last year with a family that had an hour of television every night... regardless of whether they were with the parents or an AP. And the parents make free use of electronics when I'm off duty. So, I've been slowly changing it to less time, and when they get at least 30 minutes, it's something like Bill Nye or Story Bots.

I would suggest a discussion between all adults to discuss the way that the television is handled in the morning. If you can video what happens to watch together, it might get the point across better. Have a few low energy suggestions ready for dad to do with her, like singing along to pandora or reading to her. You want to make it clear that the time spent together is precious, but for the sake of your charge, it needs to be something else, something more developmentally appropriate. Rather than just something dad wants to do with her, it needs to be something she enjoys that doesn't create bad behavior.

Its not healthy for a kid tgat young wacthing tv. Indeed, lazy father and mom of course. Nanny, you shoukd leave them and let them be on thier own chaos

Am i the only kid who grew up watching tv in the morning? I don’t see what the big deal is. When X show is over, the TV goes off. Every time. It won’t be a big deal if there’s a consistency to it. Tv isn’t evil. If that was the only thing the kid did all day long then that would be a problem. Right now the problem is the predictability and consistency of when she can watch and for how long. Talk to the parents about that part.

OP here. No, the father is not trying to get ready for work at the same time. He is cuddling on the couch with my charge.

Anonymous wrote:Every child I've taken care of has watched tv in the morning with their parents and I've never had an issue. I've never had a child cry over any electronics. I don't however have them be off limits.

Why do you sound like one of those lazy parents?

It may be that the dad is trying to get ready for work at the same time... and cartoons are the only way that can happen efficiently. I don't know why everyone jumps to "lazy dad." See if he's receptive to the 30 minutes of TV w/ a timer suggestion. That's a good one and could still accommodate his need for some free time to get ready (if that's the issue).

Every child I've taken care of has watched tv in the morning with their parents and I've never had an issue. I've never had a child cry over any electronics. I don't however have them be off limits.

Lazy father.

I have no clue why parents do this to their kids. Sounds like the Dad has 45 minutes to spend with his child and chooses to dump her in front of the TV.

Can you talk to them - both parents together - and suggest that this sets your charge off for a bad morning?

Same situation here. I just power through it. Once the episode is over, tv stays off until one of the parents puts it back on. My NK asks for tv the second her parents walk in. Or the phone. Or her iPad.

Wow. Two lazy ass self-absorbed parents.
I wouldn't waste my time and energy with them.

I would suggest the Father let her know ahead of time that her T.V. viewing will be limited to a 30-minute session.

He can set a timer & let her know when the timer goes off, then so does her show.
(I would suggest that he gets to let her finish out the episodes on her shows though.)

It might also be best to give a 5-minute warning before as well.

Good luck-
Hope this helps out!

My charge is almost two and has watched TV with her father before. But lately, every morning I arrive, the Dad has her on the couch watching cartoons and when the TV goes off there is an epic tantrum. This is such a bad way to start the day for my charge. After her tantrum, she is in a mood and keeps asking for more cartoons every time her father walks through the room. She know I don't ever let her watch TV and she knows I actually don't even know how to turn it on. Sometimes she doesn't calm down until we leave the house about 1.5 to 2 hours after I have arrived.

What should I do? The mother works out in the morning and since the time change my charge has been waking up early and the father gets her for a half hour or 45 minutes before I arrive.