Don't watch TV

I'm not concerned about this bc I don't want to have to limit their TV watching but really I could use a 30 min break now and then! They just don't watch it! They hand me the remote and say "TV on" so I turn it on and put it on a kids show or any show really....and by this time they've gotten into something else! They used to watch a John Deere DVD in the van but now they don't even really watch TV in the car! It drives me nuts bc my nephew will sit glued to the TV for hours if my sis let him and mine watch maayyyyybe 15 mins of TV a day..I bet less though. I just want/need a break sometimes and it would be nice if they could watch a short show!
What age do they start watching TV? I read about all these toddlers turning in to zombies (like my nephew) and mine couldn't care less!

 

First off, Congratulations! (You probably did not want to hear that.) But, oh, my DD literally cries when we turn off the TV. My DS could not care less. I really think it depends on 1) the child and 2) the show. My DS can think of, and does, a million other things rather than watch TV. And as I said above, by DD has her favorite shows that she does not want to miss. They are both almost 2 but DD has been this way since about the age of 1.

If you want that thirty minute break (and they cannot think of anything else to do, read a book, color, play with blocks, play doh, dolls, puzzles, dress-up, trucks, etc.) then I would reluctantly suggest you try the TV. Some favorites for my los's are Dora/Diego, Yo Gabba Gabba, and Kai Lan on Nick Jr. For DVDs both kids love the movie "Cars" (for about 30 minutes), Mary Poppins and my DD loves My Little Pony (the Live Action movie, not the cartoons). GL!

 

TV is fine in moderation. Have you tried shows that are specially targeted to their age? They won't turn into zombies even if they watched more than an hour a day. I think there is a lot of stuff that scares parents and most of it is crap! My husband watched tv all day long as a kid and he is an extremely intelligent college graduate. Every kid is different and it's when their time is not monitored or they aren't exposed to other activities that gets them in trouble. The shows we watch are Kipper the Dog, Yo Gabba Gabba, Sesame Street (big hit here), Baby Einstein dvds, Blue's Clues, and their all time favorite The Wiggles...these are all shows for kids under 4 and they really enjoy them and have learned a lot from them. Good luck and I hope this helps!

 

I've got TV zombies here! :wavey: Literally we'll turn on the TV and their eyes are glued; they will stand there gently swaying with their mouths open until the video is done. :wacko: Maybe it's because I don't show them that much TV so it's a novelty? :unknw: I do find that a video they've seen a few times will hold their interest more than a new one, which is really weird to me, but I guess is pretty typical for kids. Baby Einstein seems to be particularly mesmerizing; have you tried one of those?

But I think it really depends on the child. Some just don't get into TV. While I don't like doing it often, I'm really grateful that my guys find TV so distracting because in a pinch (if work calls while I'm home alone, or something like that) then I can count on it to hold their interest for a few minutes.

There are other options though. My guys just got a train table, and this keeps them busy for *way* longer than TV! Also, giving them something they're not usually allowed to play with (like a stack of old magazines to rip up) can sometimes do the trick!

 

Yeah, it's really weird; they only watch about 30 minutes of TV once or twice a week, but they are like little addicts! They ask to watch TV *every day*. :faint: They do the same thing in restaurants as your nephew, but so does my DH so I know they come by it honestly! :lol:

Oh my yes. We bought the same DVD for a car trip, and they *loved* it. Sadly, I was singing "Vinko the Dancing Bear" in my head for weeks afterward. :wacko:

 

My oldest ds's best friend and his parents are all tv zombie's. We usually have our tv on all day, the kids glance at it now and then but don't really sit for more than 10 mins at a time (ocassionally mickey mouse clubhouse will entertain them for 15 mins if I'm lucky). But the first few times ds's friend and parents came over, his friend refused to play with him, and the parents were zoned out. They never watch tv. Up until recently they didnt even have a tv. So as a result, anything (even the bike race that was on at the time) completely enthralled them.

They now have a tv, and watch a few movies/videos and such, so it's not quite as bad. This all goes back to my moderation belief/theory :lol: Everything in moderation is fine

Now, as to entertaining your peeps....I haven't found anything that keeps mine super entertained like I said. We keep noggin, nick jr or pbs on all day, so it's a variety of dora, diego, blues clues, little bear, dragontales....etc that plays. But I will say that probably within the next 6 months, most of those type of shows are going to become a whole lot more engaging for them and they will likely "zone out" a little more! :lol:

 

I agree with this. I would say with my two their attention span improved as they got closer to two. Depending on what they are watching and the mood they are in, their attention span to a show can either be really good or very bad.

 

Give them some contact paper. It will entertain them for hours!
We just did a 3ft length of it. Remove the paper & let them walk & play on it.
Better than a flytrap!

We just started turning on the tv & they now are requesting Thomas all.day.long!
But we only watch tv for 30 mins once a week!

 

My boys could take it or leave it. But if they really start whining and crying over nothing, I put on Sesame Street (I tape the shows) and that does the trick. They usually sit watching for about 15 minutes, then go about their business and look back at it once in a while, i'll keep it on the whole hour and after that, I shut it off...They do watch in moderation when I have it on for myself, but mostly they ignore it. Sesame Street is a lifesaver for me esp. when I need to start any meals.

 

My boys normally don't pay much attention to the TV but will happily watch Mr. Roger's and Sesame Street (they never cared for Baby Einstein). You know what they really enjoy watching though, and I know is 'appropriate' - home videos of themselves!

 

We watch some TV every day, and it is either Blues Clues or Sesame Street. They LOVE Blues Clues and dance and do the motions with Steve or Joe. Jude will watch from start to finish. Zoe stops playing to watch during songs or when the live children are talking in "the letter." They do love watching other kids. It is a lifesaver when I am trying to cook them a meal for dinner rather than pulling it from the fridge, which is not an everyday occurrence. It is also a lifesaver when I need to hold out for nap time a few more minutes.