If you’re one of those parents who don’t ever let your young children watch television, I have some news to break to you: You have no idea what you’re missing.
You probably also never feed your children cereal for dinner or skip the bath simply because you’re tired, or let them chew gum rather than brushing their teeth once in a while, so I really can’t relate to you in the least. But, I must know, seriously, how do you do it? How do you get your children to sit still and behave while you take a much needed and overdue shower? How do you bribe them to clean up their rooms and eat all of their dinner without the promise of a show? How do you occupy them when they are home sick from school and just want to lay on the couch and be entertained? How do you live like that? I simply cannot imagine.
Don’t get me wrong, I am very conscious not to let my children watch more than a couple half hour shows a day. I know it’s not the best thing in the world for them and would much rather they be playing outside or building towers or making art projects. Without a doubt. But when I’m alone with the three of them, TV makes a mighty fine babysitter when I need to get things done.
We’re embarking on a 22 hour drive this weekend with all three children. Two full days of driving for a one day wedding. (Aren’t you jealous?) While it won’t be fun, it will be infinitely more bearable with our car’s DVD player stocked with hours worth of shows and movies. And while the kids will still fight and whine and fuss, at least we will have a few hours of peace while they watch the magic box in the ceiling. I simply can’t imagine it any other way. And I don’t even want to try.
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{ 73 comments }
Dude, I totally hear ya on the magic car box.
But please please PLEASE tell me you are not the type to turn on the DVD player even for a trip to the supermarket. I feel sad for kids that can’t cope being in the car for even 5 minutes without a DVD.
.-= Texan Mama´s last blog ..Mama Needs some New Nipples =-.
I am *not* that mom. I hate that mom. She totally sucks. (Except, occasionally I am. Like when the kids are fussy or I need to make a phone call or something. But, that doesn’t count, right?)
Emma Bombeck – What kind of mother would….
Don’t judge any mother, there is some reason to our madness!
TV has saved my sanity once or twice. Seriously.
.-= TeacherMommy´s last blog ..You’d Think I Actually Expect Them to LEARN Something, for Pete’s Sake =-.
I think the limit on the TV for me is backfiring, my oldest is not mesmerized by the TV when it is on he now is only happy enough in front of the TV for 15 minutes or less, then he wants to play or get into something! I should have let him watch more TV!!
.-= Erin´s last blog ..Karma….is it real? =-.
Ha! I’m with ya. My son’s not even a year old yet and he freakin looooooves the tv. I’m trying to decrease his viewing hours, but when it’s just constantly on (I like it as background noise) it’s hard to stop him. It’s just the vision impairment I’m going to worry about!
.-= Jessica´s last blog ..I heart Random Tuesday!!!!! =-.
Oh god yes. If I didn’t use my daily dose of hypnotic bouncing children’s presenters and hallucinogenic cartoons how on earth would I get anything done? Like eat? And pee?
Hurray for TV x
.-= Josie @Sleep is for the Weak´s last blog ..Yo Mama =-.
Hey, I wish there had been dvd players in the car when my kids were little. There is nothing wrong with tv. What would a 3 year old be like without Kermit or blue’s clues.
*sigh!* We don’t have a TV.
But we DO have cereal for dinner, chew gum for teeth smell, wear the same socks repeatedly, skip baths etc, and I once had to call the school to say my ten-year-old could’t make it because he had a hangover (it was an accident!!!!), so we’re not TOO dreadful around here, really. Almost normal.
My kids love to read, play board games, build lego, invent games and bicker (poor things, how else will they entertain themselves?) I notice that if I put a DVD on for them, the house stays really tidy, so I realise there’s something in the TV lure. Of course, we used to have a 5-acre backyard and no cold weather ever, and now that we’ve moved WE SHALL SEE! A TV might make it’s way into our house. We shall see.
.-= Nan´s last blog ..Internet Safety Part 2 =-.
You aren’t that judgy-judgy mom I’m thinking of. You sound pretty normal to me. Or, at least my kind of normal.
.-= Scary Mommy´s last blog ..Television and Children: A Match Made in Heaven =-.
Who better to babysit than Uncle Spongebob? I mean…Dora yells at my son to say map and the I hear him yell “MAP!” and I say that counts as a conversation.
I love the TV, video games, candy, portable DVD players, and anything else that makes being a kid fun.
XO
Leigh
.-= Leigh´s last blog ..A unrequited letter =-.
Dora taught Lily Spanish. Can’t beat that!!
.-= Scary Mommy´s last blog ..Television and Children: A Match Made in Heaven =-.
In the spring we did the 22 hour drive from NJ to Florida, and we said we will do it again…when the kidsa are 18! Seriously, it was a nightmare…I hope it goes better for you! DVD is without a doubt a MUST. I can’t imagine how much worse it would have been without that thing. Let us know how it goes!
.-= Theta Mom´s last blog ..Life Is Beautiful =-.
We have 24 hour Noggin service in our play room so I think you’re impressive with your three half hour show cut off.
And we drove from DC to Sarasota recently. A trip on which no one would have survived without the DVD player…
.-= Kate Coveny Hood´s last blog ..Step Aside Barbie – Mona’s on the Move =-.
Wow let me know how that trip goes, we have thought about driving to MN for xmas this year which is a 24 hr drive! I am all for tv, how much we watch right now is ridiculous, but I do have a roid raging toddler screaming at me, and it seems to be one of the few things that helps.
.-= Beth´s last blog ..I Heart Faces-“Blue” =-.
Well, it’s 11 hours each way. That is my max for sure. We’ve done it before, but not for such a quick trip. I am not looking forward to it to say the least. I’ll keep you posted!
.-= Scary Mommy´s last blog ..Television and Children: A Match Made in Heaven =-.
I hear ya. I took all Evan’s DVDs out of their cases and put it in a travel case for our trip. Then, while unpacking back at home, I LOST IT. I don’t know how I did it, but I lost it here in the house. He’s pretty sad, but I think I’m sadder… because those movies are a great distraction now and then!
.-= WackyMummy´s last blog ..The Forgotten Ones =-.
Oh, noooo! Find them!!
.-= Scary Mommy´s last blog ..Television and Children: A Match Made in Heaven =-.
I’m not even going to mention how much of my DVR is occupied with kid shows. For shame. I will say that I would have cut my own ears off while driving if I hadn’t had the DVD player on a few of those trips. It is/was a lifesaver.
I did have to take the dvd player out of the van because they were demanding to be entertained when going across town. That’s not cool.
.-= JennK´s last blog ..Fourteen. =-.
We have a DVD player in our car as well. BEST INVENTION EVER. It’s otherwise known as the sanity saver.
In all honesty, my kids watch way more tv than they should.
.-= C @ Kid Things´s last blog ..Never Take a Girl (Like Me) to a Car Show =-.
I’m with ya on the car dvd system! I don’t know how we ever managed without ours..ha ha! I let my children watch tv, probably more than I should sometimes, however I am picky about the shows they watch. I don’t even allow SpongeBob because I just don’t think it’s that great of a television program for young kids.
We are a no SpongeBob house as well. I cannot stand that show.
I love your authenticity! For any parent struggling with how to use TV wisely, let this be a lesson in “It’s OK!” In moderation. All in moderation.
Thanks, Jill!
.-= Dani Webb´s last blog ..I Did It! =-.
I swore I would never let my kids watch TV. Then I became a parent and realized sometimes they do need to watch TV, not the hardcore procedurals like CSI. But Dora, Diego and Dinosaur Train are my friends and hers.
.-= But Why Mommy´s last blog ..A Love Letter =-.
I forgot about your wedding trip! Be sure to take a picture for me.
Yes, I use TV (DVDs in particular) to aid in making my life easier!
.-= Lolli´s last blog ..T is for Train…and Tired =-.
22 hours? Driving? oy. Good luck babe.
.-= Elisa´s last blog ..How the move stole my mojo =-.
My children know the joys of TV all to well. And I am a big fan of this.
.-= Jen @ buried with children´s last blog ..‘The Greatest Show on Earth’ =-.
While we’re sticklers for brushing the teeth since he already has a fear of Dentists and don’t want him to have to endure a cavity, I am totally cool with the TV being on. And I mean for more than just a couple of 1/2 hours. Tristan is a smarty pants and so aware of things, and it’s not just because of school and genius parents (heh). TV has helped!
Have fun at your wedding!
.-= Live.Love.Eat´s last blog ..Crescent Bacon & Cheese Tarts =-.
I thought I would be *that* mom. Clearly, I am not. Hey, a girl’s gotta blog. ;)
Instead of tv every time I need a break, though, I try to mix it up and give him computer time. PBSkids.org is awesome for that – he can navigate it himself and play without my help. I have a newish rule about snacks and screen-time being separated. Don’t want him to end up looking my in-laws.
.-= Ryan Ashley Scott´s last blog ..Giveaway! Yep, looks like I’m going to have to bribe you… =-.
American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no TV for first 2 years of life. My first question to them is, one, do any of the panel members have children. And two, what are they thinking? I guess it has something to do with predisposing to autism.
My son has asthma and when we started doing his breathing treatments at age 6 months it was hard to get him to sit still for the 15 – 30 minutes it took to administer the treatment. It was becoming a traumatic experience to hold him down, while he was screeming, and hold the mask to his face. I discussed it with the two physicians handling his care and they both recommended putting on a show for him to watch. I mentioned the Academy’s recommendation and they both waved it off saying it was the “ideal” but not always the most realistic.
We don’t get TV – don’t even have a tuner but we do have a TV with DVD player so we can watch DVD shows. I think that’s a good compromise. And no more than 1 hour per day.
Good luck on the trip – hope it is uneventful and somewhat quiet.
Seriously. How did our parents not kill us on long trips with no TV?
.-= Cara´s last blog ..Never A Dull Moment =-.
We just recently took a 10hr trip (each way) to D.C. and we would not have made it without our portable dvd players. I had a TON of toys and books too, but the movies helped to break up the time and monotony of just sitting there.
I’m not fond of my kids watching hours of tv – it just doesn’t happen. But to live without a tv completely – seriously? Why should I suffer without The Office – it just wouldn’t be fair. I don’t know how people do it without having a tv. I commend you but I don’t envy you. You haven’t lived until you spend 30min/week with Dwight Shrute.
.-= Maria @BOREDmommy´s last blog ..Wordy Wednesday – Bag Lady =-.
This made me feel so much better! My son is only 4 months old and I have already noticed the wonder of a television for him. Its how I am able to bathe. Put him in his bouncer seat in front of the TV and he’s good to go. I was feeling pretty guilty about it, but maybe there’s no need for the guilt! Thanks!
I am so glad that are THAT mom.
I used to babysit for this family for 12 hours at at time and she told me that her kids weren’t allowed to watch TV that whole time. I wanted to say, “Well what are we going to do for 12 hours?!?”
I will absolutely allow my children to indulge in the television. How else would you survive?
.-= Belle´s last blog ..There’s No Such Thing as a Free Lunch =-.
22 minutes of on-demand Dragon Tales can indeed work wonders for your sanity. Sometimes your ears need a time out, too.
We don’t have TV. I mean, we have a TV set, but no shows play on it except for DVDs and I’ve only recently cracked and let H watch movies and my eyes have opened to a new way of life. HOLY SHIT. It really does work! I honestly had no idea! So, now, every day before dinner I pop in a Pixar movie (90 mins) and I make dinner. Sometimes I need the whole 90, other times just 30, but it works like a charm every time.
Although, I have to admit it’s frightening to see that slack-jawed look on a little baby face. It’s like a hypnotist’s spiral wheel! Oh well! Dinner’s always ready and Mommy isn’t on the verge of a meltdown so I say it’s all good!
.-= Jessica – This Is Worthwhile´s last blog ..My little old man =-.
No need to defend yourself, you know. I’m sure the kids learn something in the process. And you’re allowed some time off, too. In times past, there would have been a creepy aunt or slightly pedophilic uncle to watch them while you bathed in the creek.
.-= Mwa´s last blog ..R.I.P. any rest I still had =-.
Man, I’m with ya. My kiddos read, create, run around and play outside enough, that I don’t feel bad when they watch an hour of the boob tube. We affectionately refer to it as ‘the babysitter’.
And the car? I only turn on the DVD for trips. Gets ‘em every time. They are in a daze watching. I know, I know. We could be playing those dumb travel games our generation grew up playing, but seriously? Momma and daddy have to have SOME peace and quiet to visit on trips.
Before the portable dvd players came out, we had an electrical outlet that we could plug into the cigarette lighter so on car trips of 2 hours or more, we brought our little tv/vcr combo along. My son watched Bambi 3 times in a row straight between our house and grandparents and was so impatient while it rewound… But boy, did it save the number of times we had to sing “Down on Grandpa’s Farm”! Apparently Grandpa’s farm had alligators and scorpions.. We were getting desperate.
.-= Val´s last blog ..Thankful for Thanksgiving Plans! =-.
My kids hate the car. My parents live about 2 hours away so we had the bright idea to invest in a portable DVD player for that trip. Turns out they STILL hate the car. I’d do ANYTHING for them to handle car rides. I think our actual problem is the sun. It glares in their eyes and they don’t like it….we need one of those monster suv’s that has darkly tinted windows.
I was one of those that said I wouldn’t let them watch TV.
Uh, yeah, then reality hit and it was all downhill from there. LOL
.-= Missy´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday~ Sibling Love =-.
We travel a lot and videos are always on the list. And at least you give them some gum. I’ve been known to skip a brushing just because I was too lazy to get the toothbrush.
.-= Bruce Teague´s last blog ..Stand Up Comedy =-.
So um…my kids don’t watch TV.
(ducking tomatoes)
I’m so not perfect. In any way. Ever.
They just don’t watch because I’m terrible with moderation.
But they sure do watch on road trips. Oh yeah, best invention ever.
.-= Heather of the EO´s last blog ..A Crisis of Blog =-.
Im not sure who those people are either, because I am certainly not one of them! I have definitely used the tv as a babysitter for short periods of time so I could load the dishwasher or take a shower.
.-= shortmama´s last blog ..Extreme Makeover:Me Edition =-.
I try to be a moderate kind of mom. I’ve really tried to limit the amount of TV for my older kids (5 and 7) since school started and I’ve been successful. However, now they *INSIST* on a movie in the car. I can’t win. Another VERY annoying thing about the car DVD is that no one can hear you when you’re talking because they all have headphones on. “LOOK KIDS, BIG BEN.” But it can be a benefit when you’re slamming your MIL.
.-= Lori´s last blog ..A Change of Plans. =-.
The best thing about my van is the DVD player. And how is your child even supposed to interact with other people without having watched TV? Madness.
.-= Captain Dumbass´s last blog ..RTT: Tasty Babies. Wait! Come Back, It’s Not What You Think! =-.
I don’t care what anyone says…TV is the best babysitter EVER.
.-= Jenni Jiggety´s last blog ..Wordful Wednesday: Mercy is For the Weak =-.
Oh baby I am with you. A couple of shows will not hurt and I don;t mean to sound like a commercial for Nick Jr. or PBS here but Sophia can say a bunch of things in Spanish and Chinese and oh – she loves the little Curious George science projects. So I guess we are – a show in the morning – a show at quiet time and sometimes a show while we are getting in jammies and brushing teeth and all that before books. I am home alone a lot so it makes it easier for me to let them watch a little. To be honest, sometimes they just play and run back into to yell at Swiper or sing the songs, which is fine with me! And yes, car rides of longer than 2 hours require the DVD player.
We are NO SPONGEBOB and I hate Max and Ruby because there are no parents but Sophia loves it. I actually like Jack’s Music show and Pinky Dinky Doo. Sophia has started making up her own stories now – which I love…and we made a story box like hers!
You are a great mommy!
.-= Brittany at Mommy Words´s last blog ..The Mommy Words Name Game =-.
Girl. If I didn’t have tv, I’d be really, really smelly. And even grumpier than I am right now. Which is saying a lot, cuz I am in a right FOUL mood today.
Grrr. Give me my tv fix, beeyatch.
.-= tracey´s last blog ..Send chocolate and wine. ASAP. =-.
Oh, and I don’t limit tv. We watch it. A lot. A lot more than “A few half hour shows a day.” A lot more. And? THEY ARE FINE. Except they all need glasses and none of them can read and they never interact with other humans. But that doesn’t count, right?
;)
.-= tracey´s last blog ..Send chocolate and wine. ASAP. =-.
The TV is a godsend, as is the internet (with proper supervision, i.e. my computer next to the boy’s!), the xbox and the PSP. Opps, have I just admitted to being a bad mum. My only sorry is that the DVD player leaves the boy incredibly travel sick – personally, having cleaned that one up once already, I’d rather he’s just plain bored!
I don’t allow my kids to watch anything but Psycho (the story of a man’s love for his mommy), The Exorcist (hey, there’s a kid in it), and The Silence of the Lambs (there’s lambs in the movie, right?).
.-= Lynn from For Love or Funny´s last blog ..With this ring, I thee pester =-.
The television is my friend. I’m thankful for all of the great programming. No judgment from me!
PS: Don’t give up on Crock Pot meals. Invest in the All Clad Deluxe Slow Cooker and the book “Not Your Mother’s Slow Cooker Cookbook”. Nummy!
.-= Chris´s last blog ..Barbie Dream House And The Chocolate Room =-.
I believe “all things in moderation”, not having TV at all will make them want it more when they finally do get to see it (ie. at a friends house).
.-= Traci´s last blog ..The Troop: A New Nickelodeon Show =-.
You talkin to me? Cause I think your talkin to me…
Yes, we are that family with no televison for our son. So far it has worked out great, but he is still only 2 years old. I maintain that there will be a time when he is older that it will be necessary but that time has not arrived yet. It’s often not easy, but we make it work and we are happy with his development. Not that he wouln’t be just as terrific a kid with televison to watch. We don’t judge others decisions at all.
And for the record, we skip bath often when we are all tired. No cereal for breakfast yet though.
.-= Seattledad´s last blog ..The Sweater =-.
My kids are television deprived. Especially, since school has started. For a long trip I would make an exception!
Hugs and Mocha,
Stesha
.-= Stesha´s last blog ..I Will For Breast Cancer Awareness =-.
I’d never have any computer time if it wasn’t for the TV.
The DVD player in the car is not something that I want though, my kid is a crack head when it comes to DVDs.
.-= cristin´s last blog ..That’s Deaf with a Capital D =-.
I totally agree!
Well damn. I must be the opposite and rely on it too much. Because bribing him with it? How do you bribe with something that he already has all the time? I started leaving the TV on all day when I was hugely pregnant..and uhm…four months later? Yea. Woops.
.-= Tiffany´s last blog ..My Unorthodox Take-Aways From Type-A MomCon =-.
We love the TV over here.
It’s how I’m posting this comment. Without TV, I don’t think I’d ever get on the computer.
.-= Amber´s last blog ..My Dear Letters =-.
Preach on sister! Preach on! Good luck with that long drive. Ugh!
.-= 3 Stinky Boys and Me´s last blog ..The Dating Dilemma of a Married Mom =-.
I close the door on Rock’s room (he still can’t open it himself) and take a shower. He doesn’t need to watch tv… yet. I assume this will change when I have baby number 2 in March.
.-= Rachel´s last blog ..What Missy Calls Pretty =-.
Ditto. Ditto. DITTO! I can’t imagine life without it : ) And I know those moms are so cool that don’t allow it, but whatever. I will take not being as cool just so I can have a teeny tiny bit of peace once in a while : )
And the gum trick is my FAVE!
I would NEVER take a long trip without a DVD player. In fact we have a DVD player in the second row that plays two separate DVD’s and my son sits in the third row with one of those personal DVD thing-a-ma-jigs! They all have headphones and its wonderful – my husband and I just talk. Its fantastic!!! (In our defense, we do give them a break once in a while and play one of those cool travelling games, like license state bingo. Until the fighting begins, then the DVD’s get turned on again)
.-= Clair Jordan´s last blog ..Tiny Seamstress ?! =-.
I totally agree…i can’t imagine life without it!
.-= Stephanie @ Geezees´s last blog ..Help us Help Kids fighting Cancer, for the month of October Geezees will donate 1 hat per sale. =-.
Well, as long as Miley Cyrus is not on the screen or the two-headed dinosaurs from PBS, I’m okay with it. Limits, as you said.
Besides, I have a crawling 1 year old who wants to be in everything. I have to use tv whenever I have to do something crazy, like say, eat, shower, or use the bathroom.
I have a friend-who has a friend… who swears she is on the floor playing with her almost 2 yr old all day long.. that he’s never seen TV.
I dont know if she thinks this makes her sound like a better mom or what? but if you ask me… the kid is not going to know how to play by himself or give mommy 5 minutes when she needs it — if he thinks Mommy is his personal Barney!…
My kids watch TV… they’re fine.. I watched TV as a kid and I turned out…. kinda ok ;)
oh, Mr Square Babysitter? Hell yeah! I cannot imagine life w/o TV. At times I admit I use it FAR too much, but I am a child of way too much TV and I turned out pretty good – doctorate degree, great husband, 4 kids, basically well balanced… yadda yadda. of course, i DO have a mean case of ADD…. ;)
.-= Alicia´s last blog ..We’re Still Rockin’ The Flock Of Seagulls =-.
Great post!
I think tv is wonderful; I wouldn’t have survived the first three months of breastfeeding without it. :)
I plan to let Oscar watch in small doses, because I hear it works better if it’s limited somewhat. He already gets more than his fill of Regis and Kelly and Seinfeld re-runs.
I have to play devil’s advocate with the car thing, though. I have found that for SOME kids (speaking about kids of friends only, so limited experience) it’s hard for them to go back. Meaning, because they always watch tv on trips, they cannot sit through a car ride without it. Sometimes I think a little boredom is good for a kid. My sister and I (in addition to fighting, yet) used to make up the funniest little games to play while on road trips.
.-= Sandy´s last blog ..Oscar at Sea Part II: Caribbean Dreamin’ =-.
oh yes, i agree. I don’t let my kids watch more than an hour a day, but I savor that time to get shit done.
I know it’s considered unenlightened parenting these days to let your kid (s) watch TV, but dang it, I need (to borrow from Alicia’s comment) Mr. Square Babysitter’s services just to be able to eat, get dressed, use the bathroom without my 17mo son clinging to my leg/boob/arm!
Good luck with your trip!
.-= Alison Jerabek (AJae)´s last blog ..Breast Cancer Awareness Month: What You Can Do =-.
Sesame Street is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.
.-= Sara — The Football Wife´s last blog ..On Losing… =-.
As a stay at home mother; if I didn’t have TV, I’d probably feel isolated and pretty resentful. I want to be the best mother I can be but I’m also only human!
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