Is it wrong to sit your kids infront of the tv so you can get a "sanity minute"?

Question

I have a 2 year old and a 5 year old (she doesn't start school till beginning of Sept) and I'm 5 months pregnant. Everyday for about 1-2 hours I will turn on cartoons and read a book while my kids watch tv. I call it my "sanity minute" when I don't have to listen to the scream and yell at one another and a time when they aren't trying to beat each other senseless. My question is, is this wrong of me or do other parents do the same thing?

Answer 1

I don't think so. It's when they are watching TV more than playing/interacting that it becomes a problem. My daughter watches about an hour of cartoons in the morning, she falls asleep in front of something boring on tv in the afternoon and then we always watch TV after dinner til bed time with the breaks for bath and then she has a story before bed. I don't think it's too much TV, I mean what else are you meant to do when you first wake up and right before bed. She is free to play with her toys if she prefers  

Answer 2

1 hr is fine, that is the ok amount of time but I wouldn't do it for 2 hrs straight now, that just encourages them to be "couch potatoes".  With a 2 and 5 year old you can find other activities to keep them busy and still get to sit down.  My boys are 3 and 6 and I can take them out back to run around or setup a game in the house for them to play or they will get out some of their toys and play while i sit and relax for a little while.  

Answer 3

1) Other parents do the same and more. 2) Two hours is considered the max time for 2 year olds.  3) If you exceed 2 hours, yet remain calm, do not yell or hit or otherwise abuse your children and try to pick semi-educational TV, don't worry.   All the other kids have watched lots of TV, if your kids haven't , they won't know what is going on :)

Answer 4

IT ALWAYS MADE ME FEEL BETTER TO PUT AN EDUCATIONAL SHOW ON LOL

Answer 5

Oh yeah! I'm not a parent, but I am a sister of a 2 year old and a 4 year old. All they do is scream, hit, and whine. Those couple hours of sanity feel good don't they. As long as you aren't neglecting, resting is fine. You're not wrong at all. If that's the only thing to have a little silence (other than those bizarre sounds of cartoons), then keep it that way. Hope I helped!

Answer 6

I do it! I don't think that it is wrong.  Just make sure they have plenty of other good time. Like going to the park and reading and just spending time with mom.  

I really understand the sanity minute and I too am glad that other mom admit to it. Have fun and enjoy your sanity.  It will make them happier too!

Answer 7

NO, IT IS NOT!

Parenting is a hard job at the best of times and no one has any right to judge another parent who is struggling with all the demands of parenting and has to make an occasional compromise. Parenting is not just about taking care of children, it is also about taking care of parents.  I would say that in the abstract it is not good for kids especially 2 yr olds to watch TV. Have I let my 2 yr olds watch TV - yes absolutely.  But I made sure I did it sparingly, I did it when I really had no other choice and I try to pick advertising free TV (or a video) where possible.

No one has all the resources, all the answers and all the patience necessary to be a "perfect parent".  It is important to know what the better and worse approaches are, but it is equally important to know that little compromises are always necessary.  And that the essence of happy parenting is not completely surrendering you whole mind, body and soul in the quest of being a perfect parent.  You have to take care of yourself too and from the little you have said I would say that you have struck the right balance.  If I had any concerns I might be worried that you have not taken enough time for yourself given that you have 2 young ones and are pregnant.  

A child is more capable of reading a parents emotions than you might imagine and the best gift for a child is to see their parents with happiness on their faces and not with an expression that suggests their child is a burden and in the way of their happiness.  If you don't take time for yourself you run the risk of occasionally slipping into that mindset and that is much worse than a few minutes of watching TV.

I know that was all over the place, but the short answer was just the first line. Felt like I needed to say the rest though.

P.S.  Get rid of the guilt, you are doing a great job...

Answer 8

Oh I understand!  I think it's perfectly fine do as long as it's not an all day event.  Sometimes we as moms just need time to unwind and sit back.  I did the same when I was pregnant with my daughter and it was just my son!  I was on bed rest for a little while so I kind of had to at times.  He played with me some and in the afternoon when I needed to prop up my sore pregnant feet he would watch an hour of cartoons or his favorite movie Cars.  

Here's to "sanity minutes"!  Cheers!! :)  

Answer 9

We all do it, we might not all admit it, but we all do it. Don't feel so bad.

Answer 10

I do the same thing - usually while I am trying to straighten up I will turn on the TV....not a bad parent unless you use it all day...

Answer 11

No, it is not wrong. Who hasn't put in a movie or put on their child's favorite show for a bit of quiet time........which we all need. I am sure that they enjoy it just as much as you do.

Answer 12

If that makes me a bad Mummy, so sue me.

My kids watch the Television while I have a shower, and of a night if their Father isn't home, they watch when I am preparing food (if they aren't helping me).

I don't care what people think of me, I like my television. They aren't sitting there all day, so what's the big deal.

Answer 13

Absolutely! on some days its a lot of minutes! ha ha, we have to whatever to make it through, its a tough job.

Answer 14

I admit it, I do this too. I have a 3 yr old and 1 yr old. This is usually the only way I can get my dishes done! lol.  

Answer 15

That's perfectly fine for you to do. Think of it this way - you'll be a better mom to them if you get your "sanity minute". That amount of TV at their ages is not going to hurt them.

Answer 16

its not wrong.

i do that sometimes.

often its the only way to get a bit of piece and quiet!

Answer 17

we don't own a TV, so quiet time is spent with the child playing with her toys, listening to music, and reading books.  we all need quiet time and it's a great way to teach children how to entertain themselves.

Answer 18

No that won't hurt them at all and it is not wrong in the slightest. A happier Mum means happier kids and a happier home. if that helps any.