Any no (or little) TV households with 2 or more kiddos?

[Dcclerk]

That's basically us. (Although DS just sang the Bob the Builder song to me! Apparently Grandma isn't as consistent on the no-TV thing as we are.) And, while I suppose it would be easier in some ways, it just isn't in any of our thought processes. Our TV isn't connected to cable or a dish feed, and antennas don't work here, so it just isn't really an option, other than some videos. I tried to do the special basket for nursing, and that didn't work so great for us. But what did, was just learning how to be more comfortable nursing DD in awkward positions ;) Often I nursed her while playing trucks and trains with DS. It was so different than when I was nursing DS, where I had the full set-up of Bobby, drinks surrounding me, feet up, etc. :) But after a while, we just worked it out so that DD didn't occupy much separate time. She just was incorporated with our day. Since DS wasn't used to watching the TV, we just continued with what we always did. Life was very DS-centric when DD was a wee one, just as it had been pre-DD. For us, it was a gradual transition to more both-children centric as DD grew older.

Do you guys realize you've met at our place? :)

Holli

[jenjenfirenjen]

I hear ya, but unfortunately, DH is huge TV guy (literally...we have a HUGE plasma TV that is the focus of our family room...it's not going anywhere.) The TV is off all day on weekdays except for maybe a few minutes in the morning for weather and traffic. And when the weather is nice, we're usually outside on the weekends. But winter and football season, the TV is on on weekends. Not much I can do about it.

Thanks for everyone's replies. It's good hear from some BTDT moms who've managed not to succumb to the TV to occupy their toddlers.

[brittone2]

Really?? That is soooo funny!!

Holli...you bring a lot of people together. You rock :)

I saw an MDC post today from Lowell about softstars that caught my attention and was like...hey! I know her :)

Thanks and we've been very close to meeting via Holli yet last time something was in the way. Hope to have another opportunity.

I agree with the poster who mentioned that you learn to nurse in odd positions and as AP as I am I will be the bearer of bad news. One day you will be a basket case and BOTH kiddos will need you ASAP. One will need to fuss while you attend to the other and yes a tear or two may be shed. That was the most nerve wracking, guilt inducing moment of my PP time but thankfully they didn't last long and the babe is now loving the sound of his brother's voice which helps entertain him while I change the toddler's diaper, etc.

Marielle


Ian - born 10/03
&
Ryan - born 01/06

[Melanie]

Turn it off and cover it up. Out of sight, out of mind. It's not covered anymore (I wish we had doors on our ent. center), but Ds doesn't even ask. The key is we leave it off while he is up. It wouldnt' be fair for someone else to watch it and then just be telling him he cannot. Not to mention that the content is still inappropriate, IMHO.

And yes, he did watch a TON while I was in my first trimester (TiVoed blues clues and he'd wake me from napping on the couch to put on another episode) but we slowly weaned him from it. For us the key was that when he'd ask I'd have to immediately have ideas in my head to use so I could respond with: "Not right now. We have other things to do..."

[brittone2]

I can totally see that being the most difficult part for me....knowing DS didn't end up crying much by himself, and knowing that when there are two, it is likely there will be someone crying alone more often then I'd like.

Oh you're right! I was SURE you had met but I had to go back and look through pictures of all the gatherings, and you're right--you do keep missing each other! How funny!

Holli

We are a barely any TV household…..DS#1 is 14yo and DS#2 is 3.5yo!! We allow DS#1only 1 or 2 shows a day and many days he doesn’t even get to watch TV if he was outside until his curfew. As for the little one we hardly let him watch TV at all because we are always outside when not working and weather permitting. During the nicer months we even eat outside! We also have reduced out cable package to basic which doesn’t really give you much so why bother KWIM. We really encourage reading for our teen and playing with toys for our preschooler.