We used to be almost totally tv free. We still don't have an actual television, but we netflix and borrow DVDs from the library and download stuff off iTunes. We used to have Family Movie Night on Fridays and maybe we'd let her watch a couple of things during the week. She used to watch maybe 3 hours total a week (including the movie on Fridays).
This summer? We totally lifted all limits on "screen time". It seemed stupid to have all these limits we'd set for her and then be up waiting for her to go to bed so we could watch something - we (the adults at our house) watch a heck of a lot more than 3 hours a week most of the time.
It's been an interesting time. At first she really indulged in it a lot, and now she's reached the point of self regulating it pretty well. We moved the computer into the living room, so we can be more present when she's watching and we've picked up a few board games and art supplies and things so there are attractive alternatives. It's been hard for me to really let go and trust that she will turn it off herself, but she does. I'll also admit to sort of secretly delaying it - like right now, it's Saturday morning and she was going to pop in some Simpsons, but I said I just needed to check my email real quick. While she was waiting, she started up something else and now she's drawing in the kitchen. Maybe she'll come jump on here the minute I get up, maybe she'll keep drawing...
Most days, she does watch something. She can sit and watch several episodes of SpongeBob in a row, or we watch a movie together after dinner. It varies. I kind of feel like if she's vegging out for a few hours, it's because she needs to, you know?
My stance on watching stuff is changing pretty drastically. I'm not convinced about getting a television again, but with iTunes and streaming videos and such, I think it's sort of becoming an obsolete vehicle anyway. It's never really been about the content, more the advertising that drives me nuts.
LA is so close to me now. Come on down to the beach in SD county!
This summer? We totally lifted all limits on "screen time". It seemed stupid to have all these limits we'd set for her and then be up waiting for her to go to bed so we could watch something - we (the adults at our house) watch a heck of a lot more than 3 hours a week most of the time.
It's been an interesting time. At first she really indulged in it a lot, and now she's reached the point of self regulating it pretty well. We moved the computer into the living room, so we can be more present when she's watching and we've picked up a few board games and art supplies and things so there are attractive alternatives. It's been hard for me to really let go and trust that she will turn it off herself, but she does. I'll also admit to sort of secretly delaying it - like right now, it's Saturday morning and she was going to pop in some Simpsons, but I said I just needed to check my email real quick. While she was waiting, she started up something else and now she's drawing in the kitchen. Maybe she'll come jump on here the minute I get up, maybe she'll keep drawing...
Most days, she does watch something. She can sit and watch several episodes of SpongeBob in a row, or we watch a movie together after dinner. It varies. I kind of feel like if she's vegging out for a few hours, it's because she needs to, you know?
My stance on watching stuff is changing pretty drastically. I'm not convinced about getting a television again, but with iTunes and streaming videos and such, I think it's sort of becoming an obsolete vehicle anyway. It's never really been about the content, more the advertising that drives me nuts.
LA is so close to me now. Come on down to the beach in SD county!
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