Did you let your young children watch TV?

[Zcustom]

no.. I have seen much of what my generation has done with TV.. and plenty of studies have been done saying it's actually harmful to allow kids to watch TV pre-age 4.. (IIRC)

and I knew someone was going to raise that point.. I realize people give in often for some piece of mind. on this issue, I feel very strongly about it. I may give into a lot, but this won't be one of them.

I don't care if they watch it as they get older, but there's no need for them to become consumed before the age of 8.. I guess I always think of my cousins on this topic. They are extremely anti-social and all they WANT to do is play video games 10 hours a day.

there's more to life... better for them to grow without it and then become exposed to it than to grow with it and it become a crutch to be happy or waste time...

I respect your opinion.

One thing you should know is that kids that young generally are only interested in things that are helping their physical/cognitive development. It's instinctual and it allows them the freedom to become immersed in one thing, master it, and move on. Kids that young rarely are interested in TV, in my experience.

Also the more you deny something the more desirable it is. I said we let our son watch 2 hours max on saturday mornings, he's usually riding around the house on his jet ski (or some other physical activity) by 30 mins or so in. The only thing he REALLY likes on TV is music (theme songs, certain commercials etc)

[Happy Panther]

We took a hands off approach with TV and video games. Our two boys have free reign to do whatever they want.

The experiment has worked. They don't watch that much TV or play games. They are equally as likely to want to run around outside as they are to fire up the wii.

But if we found them just watching TV all day we might change it up.

[Chimera]

When my son was little, he would cut the TV off

[CRA]

I got a 4 month old and at times he appears to be willing to break his neck to get a view of a TV.....

I guess there is just something cool about bright flashing lights as he loves looking at toys that flash. I don't consider him clearly liking the bright lights "watching TV". I don't plan to let him sit and watch TV much while young.

[Panthers_Lover]

My son watched "Ewok Adventure" about 1,000 times in a row when he was little ... he turned out all right.

I reiterate, seriously, that it's a matter, too, of what you allow them to watch. Yes, much of TV is a vast wasteland of worthless crap, but there is much on TV that is entertaining (a good thing) and educational (also a good thing), and much that is both. The technology of our times, whatever those times are, can be used for "good" or "not so good" or even "evil," but we usually have control over that.

A good balance of physical activity, mental activity (puzzles, board games, creative outlets) and intellectual stimulation (provided by books, TV, radio, and even video games) is important to producing well-rounded people. Of course, good old-fashioned conversations and experiences with parents are hugely important for a child's development, too, and those can't start too early.

[Hawk]

bleys...in all respect bro...what you read about raising a child and what happens in reality is rarely the same thing!

you work your long hours and come how to a wife and small child both frazzled from a long day and housework and cooking/cleaning etc and if that tv gives you both 1/2 an hour of peace and quiet...promise, you'll have it on!! I like the intent of what you are saying, but I'm sure there are studies out there that will say select programming will help your child develop quicker than others as well.

[Panthers_Lover]

bleys...in all respect bro...what you read about raising a child and what happens in reality is rarely the same thing!

you work your long hours and come how to a wife and small child both frazzled from a long day and housework and cooking/cleaning etc and if that tv gives you both 1/2 an hour of peace and quiet...promise, you'll have it on!! I like the intent of what you are saying, but I'm sure there are studies out there that will say select programming will help your child develop quicker than others as well.

Yeah, my nephew and his wife swore they weren't going to let their daughter (now 4) watch TV at all ... "The Cartoon Network is evil," he said (for example. Changed their tune in a heartbeat. Not only does she watch TV (she does other things, too), she got an iTouch when she was 3 and now has her own iPad for reading, watching videos, etc. Again, not necessarily all bad for her to be mastering/using today's technology, but I cringed the other night when they basically had her "read" herself a bedtime story using the iPad before putting her down for the night.

[TheSaint]

Yeah, we put on Toddler Tunes on the TV in her play area..."Mahna Mahna" is stuck in my head...and i HATE Krazy Kuzins.

I mix in Classical. She listens to classical every morning while she plays in her crib.

We never let my son watch any TV until the last couple months.

We only let him watch a couple hours on saturday mornings, ie saturday morning cartoons, every kid should have that.

Most of the time our (Direc)TV is on the sattelite radio station Reality Bites, he loves music. If we're watching TV he has no interest, unless it's Jeopardy, for some reason he loves that show

[Panthers_Lover]

Yeah, we put on Toddler Tunes on the TV in her play area..."Mahna Mahna" is stuck in my head...and i HATE Krazy Kuzins.

I mix in Classical. She listens to classical every morning while she plays in her crib.

My nephew used to turn on the Backyardigans or Dora when they were over ... I HATED both of them. I'd get their stupid tunes in my head and be crazy for days.

[GritsRgreat]

My little girl loved Xena.

[Zcustom]

My son is all about books right now. They really do go through phases.

His favorite song is Wayward Son by Kansas

still not sure how that happened

[Tyler Durden]

mine watches Sprout a lot at 9 months old, but I'm not sure he's getting much out of it...

I'm hoping he can play Fallout 3 by the time he is 2, though...

[pstall]

we let ours some, just keep an eye on things and don't get lazy and just plop them in front of a tv all the time.

[Tyler Durden]

I'm not going to shelter my son from the picture box...

I will explain to him the bad things he sees though, and try to steer him more towards the outdoors/being creative to occupy his free time...