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You should start a separate thread for this as you will get more answers there. I would certainly be concerned about the little one since doctors recommend no screen time at all for children this young.
Since you share a house with the dad, can you talk to him and offer some caregiving for the child? What is your relationship to the dad? You say the dad is bipolar. Is he taking meds for that? He may not be able to interact well with his son? Where is the mom in all this?
Great questions. My grandchildren (3 and 5) do not have any TV screen time (no TV in the house) and 15 to 20 minutes (usually an educational video) before bed. They also can use iPads during long car or airplane rides.
IMHO, too much screen time means less book time, less fine motor time, less social interaction time, less independent play time, less learning basic skills time, less gross motor/play outside time, less language/talking/sharing time, etc. That can cause many problems for a young child.
Before bed is the worst time for screens.
Stop 30 minutes prior to bed.
Adults, too.
I completely agree, but as the mother/MIL I am limited in how many parenting suggestions/advice that I make (if any). My point was more that the 3 and 5 year old are limited to 15 to 20 minutes of screen time (computers and TV) per day (except for special situations, like on an airplane) and not when the screen time happened.
If children are allowed to use screens before bed, there should be a blue-light blocker installed on the device. Research is showing bad effects on children's sleep due to exposure to blue light.
I appreciate all the input. I have a background as a broadcast technician, so I feel like the first one qualified to say all of this is too much. I don't even or want to watch that much TV myself! I have left printouts of articles from child and medical professionals referencing this. The dad just gets angry. I'm noticing now that the kid is about 6 mths into his second year, that he blinks ALOT, in an exaggerated manner. I am sure there is some ADHD going on, because it is near impossible to get him to entertain my trying to read a book to him.
He already evidences communication difficulties. He can repeat numbers, the alphabet, and some colors from overexposure to TV, but no real conversation skills. He knows some television characters, but terms like 'Daddy' or 'Aunt' don't come from him. He evidences intelligence, but can't/doesn't express himself.
The son does play by himself, ALOT, and I am pleased to notice that often, he doesn't actually pay attn. to the TV, but still, it seems like the constant stream of repetitive noise is detrimental . . .
I'm so distraught, because the father raised 4 boys previously with a different mother, and is licensed sports coach, so I expected him to be a really great dad. He takes care of the needs, but this argument over the TV has been had with the current mother, as well as myself. I just can't comprehend the ignorance of the dad to believe this is a good idea. I play with the little one as often as I can, and willfully have no television on, but certainly can't overcome this created addiction, especially when the kid starts asking for this show or that show.
I am not a mother, but I am intelligent, and am disappointed that I am dismissed because of my 'lack of experience'. I can't help but think people have their first baby every day and have to figure out care and some of this is just common sense. I know this is a little repetetive, but I canNOT understand how someone can think TV exposure during a kid's every waking moment is beneficial. I think it is odd that the dad thinks there has to be a continuous stream of broadcast, of whatever type, feeding into the kid's head . . .
I asked dad once, what was the little one's favorite bedtime story.
"He doesn't have one."
I didn't risk asking directly, but I figured that because I'm pretty sure he doesn't read to him before bed. I don't know what the deal with that is, either. I never am aware that the dad is reading to the little one at all. Dad is not illiterate, spends lots of time online . . .
Don't worry too much about anything too long term. The issues we discuss here are only temporary for all of us. In a hundred years time no one will remember any of us us unless we accomplish something of value to the world ...or assassinate a president or a celebrity ...and make the history books. I hate to say this but it will be as though you, me, our kids, everyone of us never existed. I know ...I don't like it either.
I am a father of 3 year old. Limiting screen time has been definitely a challenge for me. I am thinking to immerse myself in this topic & find a solution for this problem. I asked some of my friends. They all seem to have the same problem. Would you be interested in advice on the same?
Take the screen away. Problem solved.
Is it really that difficult to think of the solution?
I am a father of 3 year old. Limiting screen time has been definitely a challenge for me. I am thinking to immerse myself in this topic & find a solution for this problem. I asked some of my friends. They all seem to have the same problem. Would you be interested in advice on the same?
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