It’s kind of funny – the television is a subject akin to politics and religion when it comes to parents and their philosophies. There is a contingent that believes the television is bad. There is a contingent that believes the television is not a problem. There is a contingent that walks the middle ground. But wherever a parent stands on the issue of television, they are pretty firm in their stance.
So while I am far from an accredited expert, I am a mom and that counts for something with other moms. So here comes my stance on television, please feel free to share your comments because it’s my personal belief that somewhere between all the arguments is the kernel of truth that will out itself.
When my daughter was a baby, I would flip the television on in the middle of the night to entertain myself while handling those midnight feedings, changes and comforting. I was able to watch a series of different types of shows depending on what was on that night. It was the holidays in those first few weeks, so I got to watch a lot of marathons.
My daughter enjoyed watching the lights on the screen, as she got older. She really liked the explosions – the brighter the light, the better she liked it. She really enjoyed watching Fantasia with me. She also enjoyed listening to me reading to her. I went through the phases with her and taught her how to sleep in her crib. I often fell asleep to the television, but I never allowed her to do so as an infant.
I did, however, use the television when she was done with her playtime, but wasn’t ready to sleep yet. If I were working, cooking or otherwise needed my hands free, I would sometimes set up the Bear in the Big Blue House or House of Mouse from the Disney Channel. She would watch the bright colors and the story and enjoy herself. The fun time for me was when I introduced her to British Comedy. She ADORED As Time Goes By. Since it remains one of my all time favorite British series, I was very happy with that.
I tried to avoid the television as a babysitter, but on the other hand, I never denied it to her either. If she wasn’t watching it or paying attention, I would often just turn it off. Sometimes we had it on as background noise and sometimes we sat together and watch it.
Two things I stuck to my guns on, overall – never have a television in her bedroom and never leave it on 24/7. At the age of 5, my daughter now has a television in her bedroom, but she only has it on when she actively wants to watch something. She’s much more interested in her toys, talking to other people and books than she is the television.
I think denying them the television altogether makes it far more attractive. Access in moderation with a firm hand on what they are allowed to watch is the best course. Again, I’m no expert – but it’s like any kind of information that you try to bury in a box – it just becomes more worth sneaking to get his or her hands on it.
My hope is that because she enjoys the television in small doses and she likes certain shows that she knows she is allowed to watch, she will become more circumspect as she grows older. She won’t just watch the television because it’s on, she will watch the shows that are intelligent and appealing.
What are your thoughts on the television and your experiences?