Do you think it is bad to let a 1 year old watch cartoons?

Question

Sometimes I put my daughter in her crib and let her play and watch a DVD while I do stuff I need to get done or just take a time out for myself for a few minutes. I've tried just putting her in there with her toys, but she throws a fit unless she has something to watch.

Note: I only leave her in there for 45 minutes at the most!

But my doctor said the other day "Don't let the tv babysit your kids!"

Is that what I'm doing? It makes me feel like a bad mother.

Answer 1

i let my son watch blues clues and yo gabba gabba and i dont think its a bad idea. hes actually learned to count and talk watching those shows. of course i dont let those shows teach my child but as long as there educational and there not in front of the tv for hours i think its fine.

Answer 2

NO tv under age two. TV is really a huge mind waste. I am a preschool teacher, and mother of three. We have ONE TV in my house.......and for most of the last five years we have not had cable...and therefore the TV is only used for watching DVD's once or twice a week.

SHe is one, you have to take control of the situation. If you are giving in to her at this stage, as she gets bigger the tantrums are only going to get bigger. Kids thrive on structure and routine, when you waffle like that it actually makes her insecure.

That said, I agree with the Dr about not letting the TV babysit your kids......for the most part. In reality land though, I am a mother, I know how hard it is to get things done when your kids are around. I will admit that I have used DVD's to keep my kids contained while I make dinner, etc, sometimes. I'm one person, I can't do everything all the time. That is reality.

When I brought up at my daughter's 504 plan meeting at the school this year that we don't have cable and rarely watch TV, everyone was stunned......I almost felt like a science fair project. They were like wow.....what do you do? AND this was the guidance counselor, principal, etc. People who you would expect to be completely onboard with this.

Answer 3

I will do that if I need to shower or while I am cooking dinner.  I only do it a couple times a week with a Baby Einstein DVD.  I think it is fine as long as you are not doing it all day long every day.  You are not a bad mother at all.

Answer 4

I have done my homework on this one and its true that it affect the way the baby learns because children lean from interacting with adults and the environment.  I have heard that children under the age of three shouldn't watch ANY TV at all.  And I feel guilty myself for letting my daughter watch TV.   Like you only when I need time for my self or when I take a shower and I need to keep her out of trouble.  I am a busy mom with three little ones and there are times that I need to get things done quick and need the children to be in one place.  I feel bad for doing this and try to make up for it by reading more to them and playing with them.  I have made it a point to not let them watch TV during school days and let them watch TV on weekends.  

But it is true that children that read more are far more or are read to are far more advanced than children who sit in front of the TV.  

On the other hand I rather have my children sit in front of the TV for a while in times of stress in my life.  Its OK to take some time for your well being and the well being of your children.  The fact that your asking its because you ARE A GOOD MOMMY  who is concerned.  KUDOS for you!  Keep up the good work!

Answer 5

No, that is not a bad thing to do. Mom's need sanity breaks. Also, if you're putting something educational on she's learning at an early age. As annoying as Barney can be he's very educational for little people. Veggie Tales are great. Good morals being taught!! Obviously Sesame Street is a great classic.

What you are doing is not what I would call letting the tv babysit your child. If you left her there for hours that might be a problem. But your letting her watch for a short time. That also gives her a break from you.

Answer 6

You're not letting the tv babysit your daughter. You are doing things that need to be done, and time for yourself is definitely one of them.

It's not like you leave her in the crib with the tv on all day...that's ridiculous.

No, it's not bad at all. She is entertained, and hearing words, seeing things that interest her, and pacified! There is nothing wrong with that. That term is usually used for older kids (3,4,5,), and the mom just makes sure that they are occupied for most of the day.

Don't worry about it. When you have a baby...what works, you go with! I raised three kids and if we didn't have a tv, I think I would have slit my throat! (j/k), but it was a big help, and they all have turned out very well, bright, intelligent and not a bit warped from the television!

No Worries!

Best Wishes

Answer 7

Honestly, I do the same thing! Sometimes, you need to get things done. I don't see any harm in it. Many many parents have done it. Don't feel bad for it! It's just like letting them play with toys in their walker to keep them occupied. As long as you don't plant them in front of the t.v. the entire day every day, it should be fine, if not, then just about every parent alive is in trouble!

Answer 8

Well...my dear...

I would not go to the "extreme"-extent as to call you a "bad mother"... because there are much more severe criteria's which constitude a "bad mother" - (neglect & abuse, etc.) - Even though, I believe it's  NOT  a  great idea to "pacify" your child with the TV....at such a young age !!!! Besides, most of those "new-type" of cartoons are quite "aggressive", which are not pedagogically "worthwhile" !!! Maybe you'll find another way to occupy your child..-try reading a story to her while you "do the dishes"..or something like that!

Wish you all the best for the furture!Greetings from Germany.... Annette***

Answer 9

Don't feel bad.  It is really impractical to wait till age 2 for tv if you have a child motivated by tv.  As long as you limit the time she has, I think that is what most parents do.

Answer 10

a little bit isn't bad, but leaving her in her crib where there's nothing else to do besides watch tv, can be just as bad as many hours of TV.

My son is 15mths old and I put cartoons on in the morning, and he has one show that he likes, but most of the time he'll just play and enjoy the fact that I turned the tv to something he'd like.

Answer 11

The TV is only babysitting your kids if it's all the time and regularly.

It's not a habit you want to start now.  Kids get addicted to TV very easily.  But if it's required from time to time - it's perfectly fine.  Make sure that what she is watching is educational - this way she's learning at the same time.

Answer 12

it depends on what the show is

Answer 13

its completely ok if its the backyardagins or veggietales... she probably likes the sounds and all the colors on the tv

Answer 14

my opinion.....be happy that your child is calmed by the TV! My daughter REFUSES to watch TV!!!! It is not bad, by any means. As long as the time is strictly limited, then it is not going to do any harm.

Answer 15

I don't think that's what your doing at all. I'd normally say no more than a half an hour of tv for someone that age, but 45mins. isn't THAT much longer than 30. No, you're not letting the tv babysit. What concerns me more is that she throws fits when you don't turn on the tv, she's starting to learn that she can wrap you around her little finger. STOP! If you have to put her in the crib more than once during the day only let her watch tv during ONE of those times. When she throws a fit, just let her. As long as she isn't hurting anything she'll be fine. If she throws her toys out of the crib don't give them back. It all starts at this age. Good luck!