We had a friend over for dinner this week who is pregnant and she asked us how much TV we'd allowed our so to watch. She was surprised to hear that he didn't even know what a sit-com was until he was about 6 years old. All we ever allowed him to watch early on was PBS - sesame street, barney, etc. But, also, there was NOVA and Nature (with George PAge - what a soothing voice at nap time!) and those types of shows. He learned so much early on - but he was also limited to no more than two hours a day. What do your kids watch and how much?

My kids usually watch around 2 hours a day too - but we don't have cable and the antenna doesn't work so they just watch movies on DVD - mostly eduational little shows or documentaries as well. When we go to my Dad's house, he turns on Nickelodeon or Cartoon Network for them and the shows on there are SO DUMB they almost make me cry.

It is scary how dumbed down the kdis shows are. Funny this is that my son actually became a bit proud of the fact that we didn't have cable. (It was short lived, about a year, but he did go through that phase. ) He liked that we didn't "conform" to the societal norm (yes, he actually said that) of cable watching, etc.

Once my kids found the creek, the TV wasn't much of an issue for us. Until then, we watched lots of vidoes (Veggietales, Bibleman, and anything rated G - they really enjoyed, and still mostly do, the musicals like Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Cats, Singing in the Rain). The amount of TV in a day is kindof determined by the day. Rainy and cold usually means more TV than others, but we also play lots of games. They've been known to turn off the tv to play chess against one another (they are 7 and 9).

Oh kelkat, how I wish we had a creek nearby - or somewhere they could just run outside and play to. I have to drive at least 10 miles to get to anywhere like that though. Also, my youngest (autistic) couldn't go outside without adult supervision anyway.

The only thing Alex has any interest in right now is Little Einsteins. He seems especially drawn to the music parts, and he enjoys the colors in Finding Nemo. He will occasionally sit with his dad and watch parts of a baseball game (but only if the players are wearing his favorite color, blue), but that's more of a spend time with Daddy as opposed to paying attention to the TV thing. I absolutely hate some of the kids shows out there. Have you guys seen any of the Ed, Edd and Eddy shows? They're not only dumbed down they're disgusting!! :-(

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Tigriz
Mom to Alex - 1/21/06

I haven't seen the Ed shows - sounds like I'm lucky to have not.... I'm thrilled to hear about the chess! Abe's a big chess player and he's an only child. He'd actually play both sides sometimes if my husband and I weren't available! I'm glad to hear the TV's nt a real actrive part in the members lives here.

Don't get me wrong, my boys love tv (and think they are getting away with something when they go to grandpa's and watch ). We've instituted family time at night now that school has started back. Not only do they not watch tv, but neither do mom and dad. Last night we played Yatzee!

They watch the least tv when I watch the least tv - I guess my actions speak louder than words!

Yes, that is right. Kids usually follow the habits of their parents and they just live with it. Also, if you allow them to watch tv at all times, then they will also think that it is just ok. Perhaps anything done moderately is the best thing.