Two hours and twenty minutes to be exact. That happens to be 20 more minutes than is recommended by the AAP. So yes, I feel a little guilty. However, in my defense it is closing in on the end of a long week for us here. Me with the kids 24/7 while my poor hubby is working out of town. I’m not sure who I feel more sorry for at this point…me, him, or our kids. So today was certainly a day I needed some “me” breaks. Just twenty minutes here and there of uninterrupted silence. It’s not like they were watching WWWF or some other inappropriate program. No, these were selected very carefully by me from our favorite channel, Noggin. TIVO works its magic and voila…20 minutes of uninterrupted bliss. Well, if you call bliss 2o minutes on the elliptical, 20 minutes to make dinner, 20 minutes to clean the kitchen and do a load of laundry, 20 minutes to take a (gulp) nap on the couch. So yes, I guess in a way it was a sort of bliss. I know that doesn’t quite add up to two hours and twenty minutes, but you get the point.
It’s a love/hate relationship with this TV thing and yeah I worry on days like these that I rely on it too much. I’ve read the research, the guidelines put out by the AAP and it makes common sense. You don’t want your kids vegging out in front of the tube all day. So I vow to make up for it tomorrow. Maybe the kids and I need to start taking up yoga…we can start making relaxation a family thing and not just a mommy thing. Anyway, I’m sure I will think a lot more clearly after a good nights rest. By the way, what do you think 1950s mom is going to do once she gets her kids settled in for a good flick? She looks super excited 
Family Yoga, sounds great. Have you thought of Tai Chi?
Love You
Family Yoga, sounds great. Have you thought of Tai Chi?
Love You
A 1950's Mom would have called her best friend(next door) to come over for a glass or 2 or Sherry or Wine because she really needed a break, since Dad was too busy with career & only wanted dinner & silence when he came home!
A 1950's Mom would have called her best friend(next door) to come over for a glass or 2 or Sherry or Wine because she really needed a break, since Dad was too busy with career & only wanted dinner & silence when he came home!
ooh Tai chi, that's an idea. Ha Ha Mom that's funny but probably true
I understand perfectly the guilt over television time. Part of me thinks, hey, it's educational! But really, on the days I encourage the girls to do something else, they end up reading, listening to music and drawing, playing together, or enjoying the outdoors. It's better for them and me. BUT, I even enjoy sitting down now and then and watching a movie with them (especially on those rainy days). I guess for me – it comes down to balance. Ugh, that word again.
Great post!
I understand perfectly the guilt over television time. Part of me thinks, hey, it's educational! But really, on the days I encourage the girls to do something else, they end up reading, listening to music and drawing, playing together, or enjoying the outdoors. It's better for them and me. BUT, I even enjoy sitting down now and then and watching a movie with them (especially on those rainy days). I guess for me – it comes down to balance. Ugh, that word again.
Great post!
Thank you for your comment Susan. It's true about finding that balance and you're right about encouraging them to do something else. Usually works and better all around! Thank you for your input
With those 20-minute snippets of time, I become a better mom – more restful, less stressed, more productive – all good for me, which in turn is better for my kiddos.
True, they could be reading books or playing with toys, and sometimes they do, but a little “Phineas and Ferb” isn't going to warp them.
I'm thinking my tune is going to change once they reach “The Suite Life” age though.
With those 20-minute snippets of time, I become a better mom – more restful, less stressed, more productive – all good for me, which in turn is better for my kiddos.
True, they could be reading books or playing with toys, and sometimes they do, but a little “Phineas and Ferb” isn't going to warp them.
I'm thinking my tune is going to change once they reach “The Suite Life” age though.
Ditto Ash!!
Ditto Ash!!
I am very much against television viewing because I see very little research that says watching more than two hours a day is good for children. (OK, I have read no research that says that). Yet my kids watch at least 2 hours of tv a day. Sometimes I have to sit. Sometimes I have to make phone calls. And sometimes I need a break. I use the two hours as a guideline and some days I go over the two hours. I try not to beat myself up about it too much.
I am very much against television viewing because I see very little research that says watching more than two hours a day is good for children. (OK, I have read no research that says that). Yet my kids watch at least 2 hours of tv a day. Sometimes I have to sit. Sometimes I have to make phone calls. And sometimes I need a break. I use the two hours as a guideline and some days I go over the two hours. I try not to beat myself up about it too much.