Friday, December 22, 2006

TV and Computer

How much is too much? Obviously, all day is too much. But... We try very hard not to let the boys watch TV or play on the computer too much, but it is SO EASY to let them watch. I can get things done! We play a game with Joseph to keep him off the TV and the computer. The computer is unplugged, from the back, so he can't turn it on himself. He is trying hard, and can almost do it, but not quite. The TV remote downstairs is hidden. We spend a lot of time finding and losing it ourselves. Joseph spends enormous energy dragging chairs all over the house looking for it. The small TV upstairs was rigged with so he couldn't turn it on, but over time, he has figured out all of our tricks. Now we unplug it and put it in our bedroom. He gets it, lifts it and plugs it back in whenever he is given a chance. We usually lock our bedroom to prevent it. As Dave says, you've got to admire his determination and problem solving skills. Well, we are just about out of ways to stop him. And??? If we are careful about WHAT they watch? Is it so terrible? Millions of children are being raised on a steady diet of TV. I don't have the stomach for that, but??? I've tried to limit to an hour or two per day? If I let him have more will he eventually get bored with TV? I want to be able to USE TV when I need it. I don't want him to be bored by it...

Suggestions?

3 comments:

Norma said...

From what I've read, a number of the computer games are actually good for kids. Lots of information out there on the skills it develops.

Our children are adults now, but the one who watched the most TV was the best student and the biggest reader. She and her husband are still big movie fans, but she buys more books than I do.

Jerry Grasso said...

Hmmmm - okay, well - does your computer have a DVD player in it? You can kill two birds with one stone this way, if it is controlled properly. Example - we let Demetrius play on the computer for a while, then make him do 'computer homework' to watch a DVD...the problem we have is he starts to stem watching the computer...so we have to take away the mouse he uses to do so....some day he'll learn to work the keyboard controls...then we're doomed....

Anonymous said...

RE: TV and computer time. I think it is very important to limit it - use it as a reward - did your 'homework' or helped around the house - now you can watch a show or play a game.
It's so easy to use it as 'the electronic babysitter'.
For us, we lock the office door - computer room and during the school year, I take the TV out of the playroom and put it in storage. It's the best way to limit our sons 'stiming'.