For those of you who let your kids watch TV... - Page 3

[SeekingSerenity]

Originally Posted by The4OfUs

I limit content, but don't really limit time, because most of the time the kids aren't really watching, it's just kind of on...they're off playing this or that, and if they see a show they like they'll stop for a few minutes.

SO some days, there's a lot of TV watching here, sometimes there's very little. They don't *need* TV, and it doesn't turn them into zombies - they're fine if it gets turned off, and they get involved in other stuff. It's just one of many things they do throughout the day.

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I have to pretty much echo that. My one hard-and-fast rule is NO SPONGEBOB (or Fairly Oddparents). I hate those shows, and I feel that even though they are rated Y7, they should be PG at least or more. They aren't "kid" shows, IMO. My kids know this and absolutely won't watch them. My son even refuses Spongebob merchandise (someone gave him a blanket and he won't use it at all). He says he's "not allowed." He knows if it says Y7 that he isn't to view it and he'll turn off the TV. Primarily, PBS is what's on during the day, because my 3-yo DD adores SuperWhy. She also loves Wow Wow Wubbzy so sometimes we flip it to Noggin for her.

Otherwise, the TV is mostly just background noise. They spend most of their time entertaining themselves in their playroom or we'll often go outside when the weather's nice.

The thing my DS canNOT self-regulate is screen time on the computer. He loves computer games (arcade-style, such as Bejeweled and Action Ball). He'd play them for hours if I'd allow it. So I have to set strict limits on that. But he's good with knowing if it's time to get off, he can't throw a fit or he won't be allowed on the next day.

[SandraS]

I haven't had to set any official rules. I'm the type that comes downstairs in the morning and automatically flips the TV on, more for background noise than anything. I'll watch news for a while, then I flip it over to children's programming for the majority of the day. If something interests the girls, they'll stop and watch, but it's usually only for a few moments at a time.

The boys can watch whatever they want whenever they want (porn being the only restriction). Again, they don't sit and zone for 8 hours, so I don't have to regulate anything. There may be days they'll watch more than others, but it balances out. Just like me & hubby - we love movies, we may spend all day on a weekend watching movie after movie after movie, and it's just fine for us. We also enjoy "horror movie night" on Friday nights, and the whole family joins in. It's a blast, an old family tradition.

So basically, we don't regulate, and all is well.

[oceanbaby]

We have two hard and fast rules: You must ask before you turn the tv on, and you must mute the commercials.

Other than that, it just depends on the day and what we have going on. Some days they watch none, some days they watch a lot. I do limit content quite severely, however. The only two shows we have conflict about is Ben 10 and Spongebob - I hate both shows and they love both shows. I don't allow Ben 10, and strongly discourage Spongebob. They are pretty much constricted to PBS Kids and Nick Jr. I prefer to pick shows I think they might like to Tivo, and then let them choose from there. Plus, then they can fast forward the commercials.

Oh, I guess we have another rule: No tv in the morning. I have found that if we turn on the tv first thing, it puts them in an off mood for the rest of the day. I like to let them get going a bit before any electronic media gets turned on.

[hipchick]

I try to limit it to an hour a day. Nothing too violent or graphic. Sometimes, I admit that I will allow the kids to watch for longer than that. I try not to, but I am guilty of using my tv as an electronic babysitter on occasion.

[milehighmonkeys]

If those shows aren't available, it's not an option. We don't subscribe to any kind of satellite or cable service, so child focused programming isn't available all day and night. We get 2 PBS stations. Early afternoon has very few options, as does after 5pm. A couple times a week, she'll watch a morning PBS show or 2. That's just because she sometimes gets up earlier than normal, so she'll snuggle in bed with me and watch until I'm ready to get up.