TV is the Devil!!!

Thanks Natasja - looks like a nice website, I will register and have a look.

So yesterday went well without tv and today better, except DH insists on watching Grand Prix, but Sarah wasnt too phased. I think she asked once this morning for "cook" (CBeebies) and then this evening I thought she was asking for the remote and I distracted her. Actually still listening to the radio and havent watched tv at all myself.

Must admit this morning was difficult because tv is so much easier when I make myself coffee at 6am and try to keep kids quiet until DH gets up 2 or so hours later.

But this week he is away, so I am defnitely going the no tv route.

Natasja, we only listened to the radio while I was pregnant because we returned to SA and our stuff was in transit and while living with my mom, she had no dstv. You should see the rythm my daughter has. Ok, DH has a lot of music background and was in a band and plays drums. But seriously, she is so creative! I am hoping radio and music is what will calm her as its what she was used to in the beginning. In fact, its only in the last 2 months she has started watching tv, so I am sure I can change our routine back to what it was.

Kirst, thanks, I can only imagine how teachers try to cope with kids especially when they are older!

Bronz, true, it is us parents that rely on the tv, the kids dont actually miss it at all.

Now, can I throw a spanner in the works, and say... if I can get my duaghter (and even 6 month old son who I have noticed glaring at the tv) to stop watching, can I limit (not stop) moomie, facebook and the internet???? He he he

Lagarbah, our girls are about the same age, born Septemeber 2009.

Frankie, I am in the same boat with a toddler and now a baby, TV was just such an easy child minder while I was busy.

Here is to a week of good habits!

MommyN, do yourself a favour and go and read on www.intouchparenting.co.za about the article on babies development and music.

It is very interesting. I exposed my daugther to music and dancing from birth and I can relate to the developmental things mentioned in the article.

Defnitely a read for every parent! TV should have no place in a house. (Except for CSI Miami.. and ER)

A few years ago I met a teacher from Michaelmount Waldorf school (they ask parents not to allow their children to watch tv) and she said she noticed a big difference between children who watch tv at home and those who don't - those who don't are much better at being able to occupy themselves, are more imaginative in this, and those who watch tv need someone else to provide stimulation.

I think allowing your child to watch 10mins here and there and controlling what they watch is totally different to a child who is glued to hours of tv.

I don't think having the radio on or playing music can be bad, in fact probably the opposite. Although as a child gets older and understands more I think I would consider how much of the news I would like my child to hear. I don't want to wrap my child in cotton wool, but I don't want him to be afraid either, so I'll have to monitor his reaction to hearing about bad people and bad things.

Being a single mom I don't have anyone to watch my son when I bath, so he's in the bathroom with me and I use it as an opportunity to teach him the names of body parts - toes, feet, arms, hands, etc.

I am going to throw a spanner in the works and say its not the tv that is the devil but rather that the control lies in the hands of the parents.

I do let G watch tv. Especially now that I dont have dh to watch him, for example while I shower or cook supper. I make sure I am aware of what is on the tv. It does engross him, so I limit it to when I need a baby sitter for 10 mins.

But I do believe only the parent can control what and how much the child watches.

Just my 2c.

MommyN I have the radio on most of the time. I dont think it gives the child the same sensory input like the tv therefore does not have the same effect and just acts as a background noise.

Ok, so from today, I was going to limit tv. But as of now, I think I am am going the no tv route for now.

Sarah is 21 months old, and I can see we are going to spiral out of control one of these days. yesterday I sorted through all her toys and tidied up, so there is no excuse anymore.

TV has just been easy for me with Nathan who has been a difficult and demanding baby (now 6 months old). But I must pull myself together and just get on with it, without the tv babysitter!

I thought CBeebies was ok, but they repeat everything, and Sarah is glued to the tv, and I doubt she can understand some of the things. For a week or 2, I reckon no tv, then I'll access and maybe limit it.

Can I ask about a radio being on though? I am a SAHM and we listen to the radio through DSTV. Is this a good thing or not?

Right now, I am playing some nursery rhyme cds throught he laptop. So far, she's asked a few times for tele, but I am sticking to my guns! Easy for when I am home alone with kids, but daddy is the one who I know will give in!

Thanks for the thread!

Frankie, just persevere! Truly a must for ANY family!

Great Natasja, I'm also going to give it a try. I have been relying too much on it since we had the baby, and my son has the worst tantrums!