Readers Respond: How Much Is Too Much TV for Kids?

Responses: 8

Do you let your kids watch TV while you are working? If yes, how much is too much TV? If not, why not? Share your Thoughts

I find very helpful that I never allowed a TV set at my son's bedroom. So he only watch TV in the public areas in my home. I encourage reading since he was little so when there isn't TV or bored?? he turns himself to book and I love that
—Guest Yolanda

And that is a lot already, kids and adults alike. But due to our busy lives I guess it is easier to cook dinner as the kids are watching TV.
—Guest Olivier

It's been repeated many times, but I think the most important thing about TV is not using it as a babysitter. One of my kids liked to watch a cartoon to ease into his day. Another, who tended to the hyperactive side, would only stay in her chair long enough to eat her breakfast if the TV was on. Another liked to watch a little to unwind before bedtime. That doesn't mean that we watched it before breakfast, during breakfast and before bedtime, because my children were widely separated in age, and we used the TV differently for each one. The main thing, in my opinion, is to make a habit of keeping the TV off, unless you switch it on at a particular time for a particular reason.
—Guest Siouxsie

I promise myself and promise myself that my 10 and 8-year-old will only be allowed an hour a day (the nearly 2-year-old is very limited) but life happens. I'm working, I'm cooking dinner, getting things done and the next thing you know it's been two hours (because certainly, they aren't going to speak up!). It's something we need to work on for sure.
—Guest Amanda

We run around to activities, play Wii, do homework, play with the dog, talk and read something on the computer or a book. There isn't much time for TV and I like it that way ;-)
—Guest Libby

I was so much better at limiting TV with my first child - please tell me I'm not alone! I had a box of toys that could only be played with when I had to work or take a call or something during the day, and the novelty was enough to keep him occupied without Elmo's help. My younger kids became intimate friends of Elmo... sigh.
—Guest Jackie

We don't have a cable connection, so TV in the house is videos only -- that means you can't just turn the tube on and veg out at least. If I have a conference call, I try to schedule it for lunch and set up an hour long video. But my kids spend 3 days at my mother in laws -- and there I have no power. My 2 year old watches 4 hours over there some days. I HATE IT for many reasons.
—Guest Molly

I find that I really have to be mindful of limiting TV viewing for my 6 and 4 year old while I am working. If I turn it on, then it can be a very slippery slope - I get so involved in my work and I don't realize the time that has gone by. So generally, nope, while I am working, the TV needs to be off. Occasionally, for times of conference calls and such when I need silence, I will use the TV as a volume-control method. So yes, I do let them watch TV while I am working, but only when I am tackling specific tasks.
—JBMomma