I say screw the Academy of Pediatrics. Let them come over and entertain my 17 month old all. damn. day. so that I can cook at least one meal or clean up the dog vomit or attempt to keep my bathroom from being condemned by the board of health.
Don't get me wrong, I love to play with my little guy. I love to sit and cuddle with him, read to him, let him poke me repeatedly in my eyeball while he says "eye eye eye". I get down on the floor with him and play with blocks and cars and balls. But there are 6 other kids living here that the law says I have to attend to also. They wanna eat like every single day. They have oodles of homework that I have to help them with (even if their 5th grade math is already beyond what I can do). And, (and I am extremely grateful for this one) they want to talk to me. Tell me how mean their teacher was today, or ask me why I think their girlfriend hasn't texted them in TWO WHOLE HOURS. They wanna tell me funny stories and lame jokes and things that worry and upset them. This is much easier accomplished if there is not a 2 foot tall person perched on my hip saying "eye eye eye" the whole time.
My little guy wouldn't pay a bit of attention to the tv until just recently. Sometimes I just needed TEN minutes, in a row, for him to be occupied. He was sick of his toys and I hoped the bright colors and fun sounds of a preschool show might capture his attention for just a little bit. Please God, let him watch tv. But for the longest time he couldn't care less . Then he started to like theme songs. I downloaded the opening song from Doc McStuffins onto my phone and that little ditty quieted him many a time. Now it's Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. He will actually watch snippets of the show after the song is done. He says "Ma Mow" (Mickey Mouse) and gets excited when he hears the music starting. I've been able to speed load the dishwasher or wash last night's spaghetti off the stovetop without having to stop a million times because he's climbing onto the table or trying to eat the dog food. That's all I need. Just a little bit of time.
I'm sure many people will judge me for this, but to them all I have to say is: Hot Dog Hot Dog Hot Diggity Dog!
I'm not into children having to watch TV 24/7, but I think that if they do watch TV, it's important that the parents know exactly what their kids are watching.
ReplyDeleteChildren can be highly influenced by what they see and hear, and it's not always easy to get rid of those things that have been planted in their minds later on.
I do understand what you mean though, sometimes you do need a break so that you can get the dinner done and suchlike. As long as you're careful and responsible, there shouldn't be any issue.
Agreed. I would never sit him in front of Rambo, but a little Disney Jr. is ok :)
DeleteDisney Jr. is definitely okay. I too understand the needing a break to tend to other necessities. I have 5 little ones and I try my best to keep them active as much as possible doing crafts, coloring, puzzles, things of that nature to limit there t.v or electronic usage at a minimum of 2 to 3hrs. Although what works for my household may not work for yours.(:
ReplyDeleteIt's great when there's siblings to play with! My first 6 were close together and they were always doing things as a 'pack' lol. Now the older kids help to entertain the 1 year old so that's extremely helpful too!
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