Turning the TV on doesn't make me a lazy parent

Bourn Sisters

posted in Mum Stories

From a young age my daughter was mesmerised by the TV. The colours and shapes fascinated her and I really didn’t see it as a problem for her to watch it. I know lots of people who don’t allow their children to watch TV at all. This is something that I find quite shocking.

I think watching TV can be massively educational and stimulating for young children, because their minds are like sponges. Whilst I'm not saying you should leave your child in front of the TV all day, I don't think it's a problem when you combine it with other activities.

I love seeing my daughter get excited to see her favourite TV characters. It's really sweet how attached she is to particular programmes and on those days when nothing else works, an episode of ‘Bing’ or ‘Peppa’ makes everything ok! She can say all her favourite character’s names, and she copies actions and repeats sounds and words from her favourite shows. TV is a clever way of teaching children because they don’t even realise they are learning.

My daughter also watches TV on a tablet and mobile. I have to admit that before I had a child I judged parents who gave their child a device rather than entertaining them themselves, but now I know that sometimes as a parent you can be a little desperate. Sometimes nothing else works.

Young children get bored easily - if watching a tablet pacifies them so be it! My daughter has always been a terrible traveller - she’s very active and hates being restrained in a car seat. I have always sat in the back with her, and we sing, talk, read stories and play, but she tires of these things after a while and can get really hysterical. Watching her favourite shows on a tablet has finally made journeys a pleasant experience for us all!

People often refer to children watching TV as ‘lazy parenting’ but I disagree. I talk to my daughter about what’s happening on the screen, so it becomes an interactive experience. Of course there are times where I let her sit quietly whilst I quickly empty the dishwasher, but what's wrong with that? I'm not ashamed to say that my daughter watches some TV almost every day.