S/o: Help me wean away from the TV!

[OperaDiva]

So I realized I've been leaving the TV on as background noise

What do you do to fill the void? Play music?

I could also use some suggestions on fun, educational activities to do with 4 month old DS. I tend to turn on the TV because I'm not sure what else I can do while holding him. I grew up on a steady diet of Disney movies, and the TV was pretty much always on, so I'm trying to break the cycle!

We do go out and do things like LLL meetings and Diaper Free Baby group meetings, but DS has been sick so we've been home for 2 weeks straight, without much to do.

[pianojazzgirl]

What's the weather like where you live? Could you wear ds in a baby carrier and go out for walks? Or pop him in the stroller, and walk till he falls asleep (if he is the kind to fall asleep in the stroller), and then hang out at a cafe and read a good book.

At home you can put on music or the radio, or there's always books on cd as well. Or getting down and playing with him on the floor (if he likes that).

To be honest I cut myself a lot of slack in terms of tv watching when my dc were little, but I wish I had cultivated a limited or no-tv lifestyle from the get-go. I have relied on it too much as something to occupy my dd and ds so that I can get things done, and now we are having to wean from it, which is not easy.

[gmvh]

I watched plenty of tv when my two were tiny. I spent so much time on the couch nursing that I just kept it on.

Once they got older, it was pretty easy to turn it off. We have a computer hooked to our stereo so we either play iTunes or Pandora. I ao started inviting LLL friends over and we got into a steady rotation of visiting/being visited.

Now we use it in a very limited fashion when they are awake but turn it on once they've gone to bed. Not great, but it's where we're at.

[Drummer's Wife]

I listen to music for a good portion of the day. But really, now tha t I have four loud children - if it's peace and quiet I enjoy it! There is plenty of natural background noise when they are all here.

[Liquesce]

When I get on anti-TV kicks I usually just switch to an equivalent number of hours of NPR. It "feels" about the same, but, I don't know, has more upscale cultural panache or something, so I don't feel guilty about it.

[kcstar]

I'm not sure whether it's coming from a large family, or my Mom's farm family background, but I enjoy the quiet.

The car we had after we got married was missing the stereo. DH and I made a lot of 3- and 4- hour drives together. We learned how to talk with each other and enjoy each other's company.

We do listen to a lot of music, but I don't HAVE to have anything to "fill the void".

[newbymom05]

I wouldn't sweat it. At that age, what else are you going to do while nursing all day? You could lie in bed and read, but IME that gets kind of depressing, lying around all day as the milk machine. Personally, I would enjoy it--if you're anti tv for LO's these will be your last days to watch trash tv for a long time! And I totally wouldn't worry about educational activities for such a small babe! All a baby wants to do is nurse and be held and be around mama/daddy--enjoy that too.

[BrittneyMarie]

I love some of the responses in this thread. i, too, have been feeling guilty about the amount of tv i watch while dd nurses/sleeps in my lap. now i dont feel so bad