Toddler watching too much tv...

maman

dizziblonde wrote: »

You sound like a really nasty piece of work sitting in judgement over his development and appointing yourself judge and jury over what's suitable for her to do with her child and the quality of her parenting.

Person_one wrote: »

I think that's waaay OTT if all you're going by is this one post.

Pot kettle black and all that...

Totally agree Person One, why are some people so nasty in their posts??

I can see why OP is concerned but agree (politely) with others that she shouldn't say anything. Personally I hate children using dummies but would never comment to a mother who had chosen to give one.

I think the best solution would be to take nephew out for fresh air and exercise and help sister out by giving her a break. Then she can flop in front of the telly with a biscuit!:)

skintchick

Tea-and-Cake wrote: »

I'm concerned for my nephew, he is 2.5yrs old and his development is excellent, great speech, social skills etc but everytime I am at their house he is sat in front of the tv, dummy in mouth or eating a biscuit. It doesn't appear to be doing him any harm but I am concerned if there will be any long term consequences. His mum works from home so is present but very busy and in all other respects an excellent mum. What do you think? Should I say something?

Is mum trying to work from home at the same time as looking after her son?

If so, I'd say she might be using the TV to keep him busy while she works, which is Ok for short periods but not ideal for long periods.

Perhaps you could approach it more by chatting to her about her work and how she manages to juggle the childcare as well, and see if there is any help that she needs?

If his development is excellent it probably isn;t doing too much harm, but some schools of thought say there shouldn't be any screen time before age 3 so it is hard to know really.

Also, is it something that's new? Maybe it's just while she has a big project or something? My DD is 3,5 and has watched way too much TV recently, because I had a big operation and haven;t been able to look after very well, and I can;t have help all the time, so I've used TV a lot, but it's only till I'm better, I try to do other stuff with her too (read, jigsaws, etc).

Maybe your sister/sister-in-law is using TV short term as it's the only solution she has?

shays_mum

TBH i feel that mine picked up alot from kids tv before they went to preschool.

In saying that a decade later they have no interest in tv at all!

I would say nothing, its her child & her choice & there is nothing wrong with cbeebies, i can still sing the balamory theme tune lol

emsywoo123

I'd be more worried about a 2.5 yr old using a dummy.....

Glass houses and all that OP. just because you don't agree with something does not mean it is wrong.

ETA: dummy remark in reference to OPs post history!

fawd1

I should also point out that if everyone made a remark when they thought someone as a parent was doing something "wrong" then there would be no good parents left in this world. We all have different ways, and as long as the children are obvioulsy fine, it's none of your concern. As others have said, if you're that bothered take him out yourself. Alternatively, say something about how she brings up her child with excellent development, great social skills and speech, and allow her to let you know about what she thinks of your method of child rearing.

avantra

Currently there is no definite proof that TV do any harm to young children when used skillfully ie let them watch what suitable for their age and in measured doses.

The evidence is still coming which is not helped by the Daily Mail and BBC shouting TV is all bad. The specialist conducted the research which is often quoted by the media here was already shown to be on the dodgy side of research(see Ben Goldacre's blog).


We have a 2 year old and she absolutely love watching TV, we know this so we only allow her watching in the afternoon when we make tea which is about one to one and a half hours a day.

She speek better than many of her peers, outgoing and kind child so I can't say at this stage it is doing her any harm.

She watch things suitable for her age which I stream from Youtube so I am in control about the content, I do prefer Loony Tunes and Silly symphony to Mr. Tamble and the evil pig TBH so let her watch more of that. There is good stuff in my opinion for that age on the children chanels like Pokoyo and RARA the lion but I wouldn't let her watch it direct on the TV as there way too much jelled hair shouting presenters in between.

photome

You are all being taken for a ride the OP doesnt like kids, starts numerous threads on here (at least 10) and never comes back to reply on her own threads....How Rude !!!!!!

avantra

photome wrote: »

You are all being taken for a ride the OP doesnt like kids, starts numerous threads on here (at least 10) and never comes back to reply on her own threads....How Rude !!!!!!

Kids, are you sitting comfortably on your botty?, now beware of the Troll!

Metranil_Vavin

Good grief I do get so fed up with being made to feel a bad parent because I allow my 2 year old to watch a bit of age-appropriate tv!

It's practically the only way I can get a quick shower in the morning, and I let him watch a bit after his dinner in the evening before his bath and bed.

I also take him out loads, play with him, take him to various groups/swimming/read books etc.

I felt terrible for ages for having the tv on, but actually I think it's helped his counting and vocab.

I used to watch kids tv as did my brother and sister and we've all managed to get through university and get good jobs, so I'm not going to stress about it anymore!

Person_one

Chlidren need to watch TV, so they can be nostalgic about it with their peers when they're older.