Baby tv watching

[DragoPanda]

Hi all

My baby is 4 mths old and he is not allowed to watch tv. I live with my parents and I let them know this and also why. Yet, every time I look I see them sitting with him in front of the tv and he is watching the screen. I am so tired of repeating myself, I don't know what to do anymore. Any suggestions?

 

[stardust599]

No ideas. Nobody ever listens to me when I tell them how to look after LO xx

 

[Pixoletta]

I didn't used to want my LO to watch tv either..but even to have a shower is a godsent! Plus i don't think it's all that harmful if they only watch a little bit.

 

[xxClaire_24xx]

I would just tell them that its not on and that you are not happy with it, Ellie loves tv, we use on the night garden as her bedtime routine as she cant have a bath as she is in cast and we wanted to use something to get her used to a bedtime routine so she knows after that she get hers pjs on and gets washed and bedtime

 

[nicole_]

i think by denying tv and making it a big deal it makes children want to watch it more as they grow up?
hes probably staring at it when hes at your parents cus hes amazed at barely seeing it

 

[tina3747]

It's a tricky situation as your living in your parents home so I guess it's their tv and will be watching it In thier own lounge?! Suppose the only way of keeping LO from watching it is keeping him with you at all times in a room away from the tv?
I don't think it's that bad at that age, he's just interested in the colours and movement that's all, no different to a toy with flashing lights?

 

[whoops]

I've had that argument with my dad too. I don't mind her catching glimpses of TV if it's on in the background because she can turn away if she wants, but I hate the way he puts her in front of the screen and doesn't give her the option of turning away. He took her once for 30 minutes while I had to run to the shop and made her watch cartoons on youtube the entire time - he thought it was great that she was so transfixed by the screen but it really bothered me when he told me how she hardly moved at all.

I just had to say straight out that I didn't want her watching TV, and I explained to my mum why because she's more likely to listen to me. Thankfully, my dad seems to have listened too. When she's a little older, I'll let her watch but she's not even 8 months old yet and it's too much stimulation for her, IMO.

I definitely get why you're annoyed. It's not just about the TV - it's about them not respecting your wishes as the parent. Do they mind the baby much? Maybe don't ask them to mind the baby if they're sitting in front of the TV, or have a playmat on the floor that he can play in and let them keep an eye on him while they're watching TV.

 

[Vrinda]

I think all parents need to watch this


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0uUU7cjfcdM

 

[midori1999]

Don't knock it, my first son learnt to count to 10 by 20 months by watching TV.

What do you want your parents to do? Turn the TV off so he can't see it? If you really don't want your baby watching TV, as is your choice, then don't let your parents look after him.

 

[LaLaBelle]

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[Seity]

They should respect your wishes. I don't know if you have an alternative to leaving your LO with them. I would definitely not be OK with someone letting my LO watch TV.
I don't believe that a little TV is ok. He will be allowed to watch TV when he is older. I'm not against TV, just TV for babies.
My son is 18 months and knows over 100 words and half the alphabet already. He is already starting to learn his numbers as well, all without any TV.

 

[Mrs-G]

I was told by my HV that it isn't the tv programme that they are drawn to, just the bright light against the tv's frame.

 

[gezma]

My DS is 9 months in a few days and i've got a 3.5 year old, so if she's watching TV when she gets back from pre school then i can't stop him watching it! However, because it's on when DD is chilling out after tea, he watched it at first and i got a little worried, but now he's not even bothered by it and will ignore it and play with his toys! he only really looks up if there is any music (or the hotdog dance is on!), so it doesn't bother me! TBH i feel that the more you try to get them away from it, the more they are inclined to wonder what it's all about!!
You could say lets switch the TV off totally, but DD has had an action packed day at pre school running round etc.. so why shouldn't it be allowed as a bit of a wind down before bath and bed..

 

[sevenmoons]

I just think it's lazy grand-parenting and pretty selfish! A free baby sitter in the corner of the room, it's sad they wouldn't rather interact with their grandchild, but you can't change people..easily.

Could you persuade them to keep the TV off for one night to see what they are missing by playing with the baby, could they not wait till he is asleep to watch TV?

If they have to have him in the room could they not lie him on their laps so he's looking at their faces rather than the screen?

I guess if all else fails you could take the fuse out of the plug and pretend the Tv is broken - you've tried to talk to them after all and apparently actions speak louder than words!!

Good luck

 

[bellablue]

i dont think hes really interersted in the show maybe the colors on the tv i don't let Arianna watch tve but if i go to some ones house i dont tell them to shut it off either

but they should respect your wishes

and then again you live under there house there rules

but i certainly can see why you are upset i dont think a minute of tv will be that bad

 

[aliss]

Unfortunately if they keep doing that, then you'll need to either not let them watch your child or move out, truthfully I don't see any alternative!

 

[Aunty E]

I have no problem with TV for babies at all, but as you do, you need to consider how LO can avoid it.

If they're watching TV while looking after bubs, could they put him in a rocker facing them so they can bounce him and chat to him while they watch. Or if you have one of those big rings (we have one and Teddy loves it) they could again have LO in it, facing away from the TV, and play with him while they watch, and pop toys in with him for him to grab at and chew on.

 

[Sarah&Ady]

I have no issues with LO watching TV either... it would be pretty impossible in this house to avaid it to be honest! I also take J to the baby cinema once a fortnight However, as others have said if you are firmly against it then you need to either express that to the folks or move out. It is a difficult situation and I dont envy you xxxx

 

[lisaf]

I think reminding them, and discussing why you are against it is the way to go (the American Pediatric Association says no tv before the age of 2... hard to argue with doctors!). Offer suggestions to them about how to keep him faced away from it etc.

My DH was bad at this for a while, but I kept reminding him, and now he's pretty good, he'll hold DS in his lap, but put up a mirror to block his view of the tv or flip through a picture book that is blocking the tv too. Back when I was still reminding him, I'd often hand him a book or the mirror etc and he'd comply until it became a habit for him to do it too.