Olivia doesn’t watch a horrible amount of television, but this article still made me want to be a better mom. She normally only watches 30 minutes of Veggie Tales after her nap. And if she wakes up before we’re completely de-stupified. And if she’s been screaming all day. And I’m still in need of de-stupification.
But mostly only 30 minutes a day.
According to that article, television is not good for your children and should be entirely avoided in children under the age of two. Children who watch “Baby Einstein” videos end up with inferior vocabulary skills compared to those who resist the lure off the big-screen babysitter. They are also overstimulated – a big, fancy word describing their overall boredom with real life because it doesn’t fit into the 30 second segments television has trained them to expect.
I know, I would have thought a title with the name “Einstein” in it could have only improved my child’s intelligence. But it turns out that there is no artificial substitute for the interaction of a mommy with her child.
So my mid-year resolution:
I will try to avoid and never be the one to recommend the television.
I will try my darnedest to distract Olivia from Veggie Tales after naps.
I will stretch my creative muscles to try and stimulate her in a healthy way which will lead to language development (because she really does need to start talking. Anytime now).
She just woke up.
She’s watching Veggies.
This is going to be hard.
Hello. I found your site through the link to Biblical Womanhood/Frugal Fridays and I have really enjoyed what I’ve read–Thank you.
I have two littles, 4 and 2 yrs old, and struggle with this issue myself. But let me just say this–only 30 minutes a day??? You are doing a WONDERFUL job already. You are an amazing parent. Mine watch an hour a day usually and though I sometimes beat myself up over it, I’ve come to this conclusion–One hour of television a day in order to keep mommy sane is worth it–after all, face-to-face time with a drooling, brain-numbed mommy has to be at least as bad as television!
Make the effort, do what you can, but realize exactly what a fabulous job you are already doing.
Victoria – thank you for your encouragement! I agree that sometimes a mommy just needs a break (to destupify herself)!
I’ve read on Crystal’s blog that she has trained her daughter to expect Mommy to need some alone time. She sets Kathrynne up with books or crayons – whatever can occupy her independently – and then Mommy gets a break! I think I need to start employing that method myself.
Ya know, I kinda agree about the Baby Einstein thing….my daughter never liked that, so we never even gave my son the chance to watch them. However, my daughter is probably the only 2 year old to ever announce to her Daddy’s co-workers “Turn on Oprah (sp), I don’t like Dr Phil.” Yes she talked like this at 2. She did watch Veggie Tales sometimes and a lot of Teletubbies (for what ever reason), but she mainly watch what ever we where watching. Now at 5 she knows words that I can’t even image knowing at 10 and we can’t spell much in front of her because she figures out what we’re spelling.
So I say “Hey, a little show once in a while isn’t bad.” Now when they are watching a 2 hour movie so Mama can nap….now that’s bad.
That’s wonderful!
I plan to keep the TV out of my child’s life at least until she ends up going over to other people’s houses. Hopefully by then, the lack of early exposure will mean it is easier to limit it? I just don’t think anything good comes of it and I hate the way people, especially little ones, look like little zombies when they watch.
Don’t get me wrong, I watch a little after she goes to sleep and I am not one of those control freaks who will insist no tv when she’s plays elsewhere…but for now, since she does not know what she’s missing, I’d rather just keep it OFF!
Mama Luxe, I have the same philosophy on a lot of things! Example: butter, salt, maple syrup, pop…
As long as she’s happy, not missing anything, and not asking for anything, why give it to her if it’s not healthy for her?
The Daddy, on the other hand, loves his butter, salt, maple syrup, etc, and just looks so downcast when he sees her eating pancakes without syrup! He loves his baby girl so much he wants to share his salty/sugary goodness with her.
Unfortunately, she’s getting to the age where she’s asking for things… TV included. So we’ll just have to work on distractions and limitations.
Thanks for commenting!