Is your baby fascinated by the television?
Parenting is hard, period. You have to pick your battles, trust your gut, and above all advocate for your child. So far I think Michael and I have done well. Sage is a home birth, breastfed, cloth diaper wearing, co-sleeping crunchy Oregon baby. In my 8 months as a mom, especially as a working mom, I have learned that there are about a million and one ways to do something. Every mom has her way because no two children are alike. That being said, this is just my experience with media time and how my husband and I have chosen to tackle it. If you have a plan that is working for your family, then rock on! All anyone can ever hope to do is their best.
When my daughter was about 4 months old, I went into a local restaurant for lunch with a girlfriend. I realized that my daughter, who was wrapped to the front of me, was very focused on something behind us. When I turned I realized she was transfixed to a football game on a big screen TV. Sage could not peel her eyes away! I tried rotating her from the screen, but she just craned her neck around trying to find another vantage point.
Here’s what we came up with, with an eye towards toddlerhood and beyond:
- Mom and Dad need to check themselves.I need to cut back on laundry-TV time. Sorry Daddy, but we need to cut those back on those online games till after Sage’s bedtime. I think it’s important to lead by example and get the ball rolling while she’s young.
- No more than 30 minutes a day and not more than 3 times a week. (This may mean she only gets to watch a program at Grandmas house).
- Must be educational in some way (alphabet, zoo animals, Planet Earth etc.).
- No commercials, only prerecorded programs.
- Outdoor play is a must! She is not be in front of the television if the sun is shining. TV is a tool of last resort, not a regular part of the day.
- I also found this website helpful to screen programs and even books for kids.It was suggested to parents in my mommy baby class: https://www.commonsensemedia.org/
Before Sage was born, I went through the list of things I will never do, such as no pacifiers and no co-sleeping. Then reality set in and she loves the binky and sleeps next to me every night… and I don’t regret a thing. I think it’s a mistake to say “I will never” because you set yourself up for failure. It’s very easy to turn something into a forbidden fruit, and it leaves your kid just dying to take a bite. For me and my husband, flexible parenting is good parenting. Have a plan and be ready to go with the flow.
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