How bad is watching TV for LO, really?

[Zephram]

I think the real issue here is your in laws not respecting your wishes regarding TV and also drilling a hole in your wall without permission - who does that?!! Seriously!

 

[Dani_Ldn]

I really don't think it is a big issue at all regarding having the tv on & frankly if you are getting free babysitting, then you surely could make a few allowances for your parents watching a bit of tv.

I would really be more angry about the fact that they came & drilled holes in your house to secretly put an antennae up, that is beyond rude imo.

Trust me, as a sahm for the majority of the last 3 years, being at home all day watching kids can definitely be boring at times & frustrating. We usually have the tv on here in the morning at breakfast, then it goes off & we play (bikes, playdough, drawing etc..), it is then on again while lunch is being eaten & then kids have their naps. In the afternoon we might go for a walk or drive up to the shops. think that tv in moderation or for a bit of background noise is ok, I def wouldn't use it as a babysitter all day though (although if I need to make dinner & the kids are being ratty, I will usually pop the tv on for 30mins!).

 

[mum140381]

my tv is never off each to there own but i would be mad at ur in laws disrespecting your wishes x

 

[jessmke]

I hate when people pull the whole 'I'm doing you a favour so....'. It's not a favour unless your intentions are truly to help someone out without looking for personal gain. If I were you I wouldn't have them look after my baby or my dog! I personally don't mind having the tv on in the background, but to me that is beside the point. It is honestly one of my biggest pet peeves when someone tries to disguise their selfishness as doing someone a favour, and then has the gall to make you feel out of line for trying to remind them of what the favour was they were supposed to be doing for you, which in your case is helping to raise your child in the way that you as the parent see fit.

This is why my hubby and I have agreed that MIL will never look after our DD alone. I guarantee the minute she does us a 'favour' by babysitting she will immediately take our daughter to get baptised, which we have already told her we don't want to do.

 

[crazy4baby09]

Honestly I would be livid. It doesn't matter if other people let their kids watch tv or have it on in the background. The truth of the matter is this: you and your husband has decided on how you want your child to be raised, if that means no tv until the age of 2 then so be it. And it doesn't matter if someone is doing you a favor by babysitting they should follow your rules about your child regardless! Thinking that you have to compromise how you want your child raised just because someone is helping you out is absolutely crazy. These people are family and should respect your decisions and stop trying to one up your authority with your child. Stand firm, because if you don't it will only get worse trust me. We have struggled with the same kind of things with my in laws. Tv being one of the issues, they feel if they don't see a problem with it then we shouldn't have a problem with it. I am thankful that I am a stay at home mom so I don't have to leave my son very often. If I were you I would look into finding a sitter elsewhere that will respect your wishes. There is no telling what they will do behind your back if they are willing to blatantly disregard your wishes to your face. That's a big reason we don't let my inlaws be around our son if we are not there. We don't mind them spending time with him but it has to be supervised. Granted we had other issues that lead to this decision as well.

 

[twobecome3]

yeah I just don't think things are this black and white ^^ , especially in regards to family. if you feel that extreme about it, then paying for a daycare center where they have to follow a strict set of guidelines would be the way to go then