https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 07 Aug 2026 11:46:39 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-screentime-does-your-child-get-a-day/page/2#post-2383354 Wed, 09 Dec 2015 16:45:20 +0000 littlejoy 2383354@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My two year old won't watch TV ... so none. I'd say she averages 30 minutes per week. Sometimes, if the stars are aligned and the moon's gravity is just right (Ha!), she'll watch 10 minutes of Daniel Tiger. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-screentime-does-your-child-get-a-day/page/2#post-2382935 Wed, 09 Dec 2015 12:39:33 +0000 HLK208 2382935@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Definitely more on the weekends. Probably 2 hours on Saturday and Sunday and an hour total throughout the week. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-screentime-does-your-child-get-a-day/page/2#post-2382918 Wed, 09 Dec 2015 12:21:20 +0000 PawPrints 2382918@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DD is 8 months old, so no screentime. We do own a TV and definitely turn it on daily though - but usually when she's asleep. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-screentime-does-your-child-get-a-day/page/2#post-2382671 Wed, 09 Dec 2015 09:47:16 +0000 looch 2382671@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Actual network TV: ranges between 30 minutes and 1.5 hours during the week, none on the weekend. It's on often at my parents as background noise and we're working to curb this because I notice we all raise our voices to talk over it.<br /> Netflix/Google Play: 30 minutes at most on the weekend in the morning while we're all fully waking up. None during the week. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-screentime-does-your-child-get-a-day/page/2#post-2382669 Wed, 09 Dec 2015 09:44:59 +0000 sandy 2382669@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@daniellemybelle: I believe it's called The Elephant in the Living Room</p> <p>ETA: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Elephant-Living-Room-Television/dp/1594862761" rel="nofollow">http://www.amazon.com/The-Elephant-Living-Room-Television/dp/1594862761</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-screentime-does-your-child-get-a-day/page/2#post-2382654 Wed, 09 Dec 2015 09:23:57 +0000 Bao 2382654@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It's on a lot but not being watched the whole time. It's a background noise thing for me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-screentime-does-your-child-get-a-day/page/2#post-2382591 Wed, 09 Dec 2015 08:37:03 +0000 daniellemybelle 2382591@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sandy: What book is this? Sounds interesting! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-screentime-does-your-child-get-a-day/page/2#post-2382394 Tue, 08 Dec 2015 22:14:07 +0000 Freckles 2382394@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sandy: I think that's why the AAP even changed their recommendations! When DD was younger (18-24 months) I usually tried to engage with her while watching a show. I also stayed away from shows that were over stimulating and fast paced.</p> <p>DD is 3 yrs 9 months and it varies. During the week she will sometimes get a 10 minute show, other days she is so busy doing her colouring/drawing she forgets to ask. On the weekends she will get more- 40-60 minutes. I find that she only asks for it when she is bored. Our tv is in the basement and she usually watches stuff on our laptop...I think the lack of easy access affects how much she watches. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-screentime-does-your-child-get-a-day/page/2#post-2382187 Tue, 08 Dec 2015 18:04:57 +0000 sandy 2382187@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>She didn't really start watching shows until she was close to 2. At that time it was maybe a 20 minute show every once in awhile. Now she's 4 and there are days (especially during the rainy season) where she'll watch a movie or a few shows (so about 2 hours). But then there are many days (especially in the summer) that she doesn't watch any tv or do any iPad time. </p> <p>I read a book by 2 child development specialist that basically concluded that screen time isn't harmful - it's what your kids are watching that matters. It's like food - you can make bad food choices that are bad for your body or make good food choices that fuel your body. You can make good programming decisions that educate and benefit your child socially, emotionally and educationally or you can let your child watch a bunch of junk that has no benefit and may be harmful. They emphasize things like watching with your child too do you can talk about the lessons or songs or interests brought about by the show. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-screentime-does-your-child-get-a-day/page/2#post-2382172 Tue, 08 Dec 2015 17:41:46 +0000 daniellemybelle 2382172@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@runnerd: Mother Goose Club on YouTube was LO's first "TV show" - she was obsessed! She's super smart and awesome a year later so you're fine &lt;3 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-screentime-does-your-child-get-a-day/page/2#post-2382153 Tue, 08 Dec 2015 17:23:50 +0000 MK0180 2382153@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I said none but we own a TV and iphones, we just don't watch it when he is awake. He's only 17 months so what very little screen time he's watched his attention span is maybe 10 min. We're trying to hold out on screen time until he's 2. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-screentime-does-your-child-get-a-day/page/2#post-2382147 Tue, 08 Dec 2015 17:19:35 +0000 CakeLady 2382147@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>None, though we do have a tv, iPad, and smartphones. We just don't do tv/video games/apps with LO on a day to day basis, there isn't really time or need in our schedule. We do FaceTime with ILs 1-2x per week for 15 minutes or so and save videos for lengthy travel and medical procedures. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-screentime-does-your-child-get-a-day/page/2#post-2382117 Tue, 08 Dec 2015 16:50:51 +0000 runnerd 2382117@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It makes me super sad since he's still he's just 17mo, but what started as watching little 2min videos has turned into an obsession with the Mother Goose Club on YouTube, and now he gets 15-30min nightly during the week, and 2x a day on weekends. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-screentime-does-your-child-get-a-day/page/2#post-2382115 Tue, 08 Dec 2015 16:49:02 +0000 Pumuckl 2382115@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I didn't vote since we do own a TV but nevertheless my kids don't watch TV. If at all my 2.5 year old watches music videos on the iPad or calls grandparents via FaceTime. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-screentime-does-your-child-get-a-day/page/2#post-2382085 Tue, 08 Dec 2015 16:32:42 +0000 erinpye 2382085@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My girls like movies, and it rains a lot here, so some days 2 hrs. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-screentime-does-your-child-get-a-day/page/2#post-2382083 Tue, 08 Dec 2015 16:31:12 +0000 daniellemybelle 2382083@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It varies so much. I SAH/WAH &amp; I have a "policy" of LO not watching TV until after her nap during the week because her behavior is better when she doesn't start the day with TV. But once a week usually I will need to get something done and let her watch a show or two in the morning.</p> <p>After her nap we might run errands, do an activity together or I might get things done and turn on the TV for her. So some days it is zero and some days it is 2 hours.</p> <p>We've also started watching movies as a family so those are usually 1.5-2 hours on their own.</p> <p>The iPad is for special occasions like travel or when we need her to be occupied at a restaurant. So once per week if that. She loves Endless Alphabet! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-screentime-does-your-child-get-a-day/page/2#post-2382069 Tue, 08 Dec 2015 16:21:28 +0000 Mrs. Pen 2382069@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Right now, a lot. I'm in school during the day and work on the weekends so my only time to do homework is evenings. Right now I'm studying like crazy for finals so as soon as my son gets home, he'll be watching a show on the iPad while I study. So today? He'll probably watch about 3-4 hours. I can't make myself feel bad about it, although I do anyway. I don't like it, but it is what it is. On nights my husband doesn't work late, he can usually go without it, cause DH is here to play with him while I study. DH is also home with him on weekends and he hardly gets any tv time on the weekends as a result.<br /> So averaged out? Maybe 30-60 minutes a day. But those two days a week DH works late and I have tests/assignments, then several hours. It is what it is and it will be over soon. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-screentime-does-your-child-get-a-day/page/2#post-2382010 Tue, 08 Dec 2015 15:34:52 +0000 Silva 2382010@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So far my 2.5 year old gets maybe 10 minutes a week? Probably once a week I let her watch the hakuna Matata scene from the lion king, or the spoonful of sugar scene from Mary poppins.<br /> We are planning to show her The Snowman sometime in the next couple weeks, and plan to slowly start introducing screen time as a special occasion thing, like a "movie night" once a month where we watch a short show or movie.</p> <p>I'm hoping to avoid it being a daily or even weekly part of our lives for awhile longer. In part because its a battle I just don't want to pick, in part because I don't see a "need" for it yet, and in part because with more babies planned, I'd like to delay screen time for them as long as we did for her, which seems complicated.<br /> I'm not totally against it, it just hasn't needed to be a part of our lives with her yet. We don't watch much tv ourselves but are pretty bad with the iPad/phones (especially after bedtime when we are just zombies).</p> <p>For what it's worth, I've heard from people that sometimes the best way to reduce is to go cold turkey for a set amount of time, like a month, and power through. And then decide when/how you want it to be a part of your life, and do your best not to let it creep in to other areas. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-screentime-does-your-child-get-a-day/page/2#post-2382002 Tue, 08 Dec 2015 15:26:24 +0000 lemondrop 2382002@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mamasig: same here, I'm not concerned. It depends on the day and I feel no need to defend or feel guilty about it :silly: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-screentime-does-your-child-get-a-day/page/2#post-2381963 Tue, 08 Dec 2015 14:51:45 +0000 Mamasig 2381963@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>A lot - I don't count. The TV is like background noise in our house. But I don't mind and am not worried about it. It doesn't affect their behavior, they still love being outdoors, and play with all of their other toys. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-screentime-does-your-child-get-a-day/page/2#post-2381960 Tue, 08 Dec 2015 14:48:14 +0000 Rainbow Sprinkles 2381960@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Probably 1.5 - 2 hours.<br /> But only 0 - 30 minutes on school days for my oldest. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-screentime-does-your-child-get-a-day/page/2#post-2381957 Tue, 08 Dec 2015 14:47:33 +0000 Foodnerd81 2381957@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It varies on the day but usually between 30 and 90 minutes. Mostly just TV- an episode of Daniel Tiger at a time. Most mornings she watches an episode while I get ready. Then sometimes after nap she will get another one of we aren't doing anything. Dh has started watching videos on his phone with her too. </p> <p>It's not that I mind screen time in general so much, but she gets totally engrossed in it and doesn't play or do anything else (like if I ever turned her show on while she was eating she would forget to eat entirely). And she has starting getting my demanding and whiny asking for it which tells me we need to cut back. </p> <p>I don't count FaceTime though since we live far from family and that's how she knows them and interacts. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-screentime-does-your-child-get-a-day/page/2#post-2381954 Tue, 08 Dec 2015 14:46:07 +0000 Somebunny 2381954@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Most days none. We don't have a TV. We turn on a movie occasionally in special situations. For example, when we drove halfway across the country she watched The Aristocats on repeat for 3 days in the car. And when I had DS we brought her to the hospital and with us and she was watching Robin Hood while I was pushing (completely oblivious to anything but the screen). Screen time has its uses! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-screentime-does-your-child-get-a-day#post-2381943 Tue, 08 Dec 2015 14:40:20 +0000 sarac 2381943@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Ajsmommy: We're at 2 hours a day during the winter too, and I don't feel any mommy guilt about it. We spend most of the day actively playing, she has a ton of time where she is using her executive function and inventing play, and then at the end of the day we all chill out. It mirrors my own mixture of active and passive recreation, which I feel really comfortable with. </p> <p>I still prefer the summer evenings where we're active in the evening, just because I would always rather chill out by walking around the neighborhood or bbqing on the patio. But we just can't do that in the winter. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-screentime-does-your-child-get-a-day#post-2381925 Tue, 08 Dec 2015 14:32:17 +0000 sarac 2381925@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Up to 2 hours a day in the winter, which I hate. One in the morning and one in the evening, unless we're rushing out of the house. The morning one I love, but I really miss warm evenings when we hang out in the yard and go on scoot walks around the neighborhood. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-screentime-does-your-child-get-a-day#post-2381867 Tue, 08 Dec 2015 13:48:53 +0000 Baby Boy Mom 2381867@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I voted none, but that's not accurate. We got rid of our TV exactly for this reason so now they don't get any during the week. On weekends maybe an hour total? That's divided between skyping with grandparents, and either one show or one short session of games on our phone/tablet. We just always see worse behavior if they get more so it's better for us to avoid altogether. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-screentime-does-your-child-get-a-day#post-2381852 Tue, 08 Dec 2015 13:40:03 +0000 NovBaby1112 2381852@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Anywhere from 30 minutes- 1.5 hours a day, depending on the day and how her mood is </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-screentime-does-your-child-get-a-day#post-2381827 Tue, 08 Dec 2015 13:19:47 +0000 MrsB2012 2381827@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>totally depends on the day/week. Sometimes she will go days without any, and sometimes she gets way too much a day. She watches lots of songs/counting/colour things on youtube, and she's learned a lot from it. I think in that sense it's fine. I don't particularly like when she sits in front of the tv and just watches a show like peppa or paw patrol where it's not all that educational. Somedays we just gotta do what we gotta do to get through though haha. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-screentime-does-your-child-get-a-day#post-2381817 Tue, 08 Dec 2015 13:17:03 +0000 Mrs. Carrot 2381817@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Very little, but it's not something I wear as a badge of honor. Honestly, I think as long as kids are active, social, developing and aren't watching things that are awfully age inappropriate and for hours on end, screen time is really not that big of a deal. My kid is 2.5 and during the week she's in school all day so if she does watch anything, it's for a half hour at most after we get home. On weekends it might be a bit more and if we're driving for longer than 30 minutes, she's likely got the iPad in front of her. Driving to my parents for Thanksgiving, she was in front of the iPad for ~3 hours. I'm OK with it. She's watching Daniel Tiger, Super Why and Elmo, she's learning tons from the shows, and she's a very active, social kid so it's not stunting her in any way. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-screentime-does-your-child-get-a-day#post-2381815 Tue, 08 Dec 2015 13:15:18 +0000 My Only Sunshine 2381815@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I work part-time. Days I work all day, she watches 30 minutes while I get ready and then sometimes 30 minutes in the evening to chill out. </p> <p>On my days at home, it used to be like an hour of TV, but since I've been pregnant there have been some very Mickey and Dora heavy days. On extra barfy days we would have "picnic lunch" where she could watch a show while she ate lunch. This is survival mode! </p>