[*Lis*]

With the inclining interest in playstation, xbox, DVDs and videos, many children are spending more and more hours watching TV and less time outside, being active, playing sport or having a hobby. And even more so in school holidays when children are home a lot more hours in the day.

In your house, do you have limits on the amount of television watched by your children?

What do you think is a reasonable amount of television for children to be watching?

Do you draw a line when it comes to TV, and encourage your children to play outside? Or is it a peace keeper in your house?

Share your thoughts here with others.

[ArieleMoonfire]

Great topic-will be interested to see the replies to this one! My DS has been watching increasing amounts of television, to the point its starting to concern me. I wasnt too worried previously, as he could take it or leave it, however for the past few months he's ben displaying signs of addiction. I'm cutting it back to 30 mins in the morning and 30 mins in the afternoon.(ABC kids)

I do use it as a babysitter sometimes I must admit, which bothers me, but sometimes its the only way to get things done. Being a WAHM sometimes I have no choice but to sit him down in front of it, if I have to get something finished urgently and nothing else is working. i do try and keep it as a last resort though.

I've read that the American Paediatric Association has recommended children under two do not watch television at all. I would love to not let Sienna (currently 11.5 months) not watch any at all-however that is really difficult to do when the child has an older sibling who loves tv!

[dinnae]

VERY interesting topic, and can't wait to see responses! I can't really voice an opinion yet, as my bub hasn't arrived, and I haven't BEEN in that position, but my AIM (which I'm sure I won't reach ) will be to limit tv as much as possible.

I grew up in a household with a tv but no channels - in canada there are only 2 free-to-air channels, and if you don't have an antenna, can't get 'em... we didn't have an antenna. I think mum and dad did that on purpose. So, only disney movies for us and it was fantastic... I read heaps, I did crafts, I sewed, we played outside... and occasionally we played old-school nintendo (which mum limited). My aim is to provide that kind of house for my children. That said, again, I could see myself using the tv as a sitter though, as I am also self-employed at home. As a babysitter growing up, I did notice that my job was always easier if there was a movie in.

Can't wait to read some more!

[Guest_~Leesa~_*]

We don't have any hard and fast rules when it comes to TV consumption in our house but I am conscious of how much DSD does watch while she is here. We try to get her out of the house as much as possible and walking or running. Since I met DF three years ago we have never had a stroller for DSD who is now 5.

We do not own a play station or x box and limit DSD's time that she can spend on the computer (she has colouring and logic games). When we are stuck in the house we try to fill in time with activities such as colouring, painting, hopscotch ect.

The only time that we 'use' TV excessivly is when DSD is sick. Most of the time she is asleep then anyway and it is more for the familiar sounds of her favoutite DVD's than for her to actually watch.

[jennifer elizabe...]

I too do not have children as yet so I have my intentions but we will see how they go when we get there. I too like the way my mother handled us (although admittedly I didn't at the time). We didn't get a computer till I was 12 so it wasn't an issue in younger years and sharing it between 3 kids (and a Dad who loves solitare) meant the amount of daily computer time was limited. My Grandmother offered twice to buy a nintendo (old school!) for us kids but both times Mum turned her down. I was so mad at Mum at the time but I understand why now. We were not allowed TV in the morning (this was once we started school before that I was addicted to 'Days of our Lives' with Mum ) and after school we were each allowed only 30 mins (or one show) before dinner. Then it was outside with us. I really hope I can be that strong when I have kids... it is easy to just sit them down there for awhile and that's why I like Hi5 and things like that cos it occupies them but they are at least up dancing. I dunno we will see how we go but I have no intention of buying Xbox's or game boys or anything like that for my children... they can buy them with their own money when they are old enough... until then a computer will be more than sufficient I think!

[=Kelby=]

We don't have a TV, so they watch none. We got a wiggles DVD for free the other week, and played it on the computer for DD1-she honestly didn't move a muscle for 20 minutes (i left her as a little experiment). I won't be buying a TV anytime soon after that.......
When we do get one it will definitely be limited supervised watching only, with me watching with them and encouraging them to interact.

[JRA]

I must admit the good thing I find about wiggles DVD's is that DS never stops, he simply dances and dances, so it is not about him sitting in front of the TV and doing nothing. It is about getting him dancing etc.

I must admit I often let DS watch a DVD during the day for his rest time. It cannot be wiggles (as he doesn't rest), it means he might sit and watch for 10-15mins which gives him a 10-15 min rest. other times we do reading etc to do that.

Other than that how much does he watch. Sometimes on the weekend if we want to sleep in we may let him watch a dvd in his play area. It means that he watches it for 2 mins and then get his bob toys etc out to mimic the fixing of the water pipe etc. he also then plays the keyboard to go with each of the songs if it is a wiggles dvd.

[Obesa cantavit]

DD didnt watch any TV until she was well over 18mths. Only now do we occasionally watch 30 min or so of morning kids programs. Of an evening the TV is usually on as she now goes to bed later then 7pm, but for the most part she never watches it, maybe the occasional glance. She has 1 DVD (but we havnt set up the DVD player even though it was given to us 4 mths ago) and have no electronic gaming stations (and thats the way its staying!!)

I have always wanted to limit tv use particularly in the early years. Kids NEED to play to learn and while the are some merits in some educational TV/games the best way is good alod fashioned play, imo anyway. I know with the new baby ariving soon we may increase TV use a bit but I am determined to try to limit it as much as possible.

I wish I had the strength to get rid of the TV altogether, I know my house would be a lot cleaner and organised if I did!

[timbertop]

Wow, I am really impressed at how great everyone is about not letting their children watch TV. As I write this my 2 year old is watching Finding Nemo.

I can only aspire to be as great as all of you, I definately have to try a little harder now as I would hate for my kids to be coutch potatoes.

Keep up the great work!

Evelyn 27
DH 28
DS Aden 2
DD Trinity 10 months

[medea]

It is a very interesting topic. I have been arguing with DP for ages about this. Scientific studies show that kids should watch no television before the age of three and after that it should be slow paced educational things, not japanese fast paced cartoons or that kind of thing. The increase in the incidence of behavioural disorders in hte last 30 years (such as ADHD) is partly if not mostly due to the amount of tv kids watch in our society. This is because the fast paced nature of television makes their brains wired to only enjoy over the top colourful movement and they become programmed to reflect this behaviour and expectation for fast paced action in every day life (something to do with dopamine levels). I'll try and find the studies but it was in the Sun Herald last Sunday and has been in just about every major newspaper in the last month.

Babies especially shouldn't be allowed to watch one iota of TV becuase they do not take in anything they just sit mesmerised. My bubs always cranks her head to try and watch it and Dp says to let her, but it really is increadibly damaging for their brains and has a huge impact on behavioural problems in many kids. I'm not risking it.