https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 10 May 2026 14:49:58 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nanny-watching-tv-while-baby-is-awake#post-2853070 Wed, 24 Oct 2018 15:48:37 +0000 Mama Bird 2853070@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ChiCalGoBee: oh, I'd definitely have a problem with adult TV shows! Kids pick up more stuff than we realize, and earlier than we realize. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nanny-watching-tv-while-baby-is-awake#post-2853046 Wed, 24 Oct 2018 14:38:52 +0000 pachamama 2853046@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ChiCalGoBee: It'd bother me too. I heard one method of basically telling people what to do is to say "because", like blame it on something.... "We don't want the TV on when she's in the room because we as a family kinda decided on no screen time til she's 2- my husband is surprisingly firm on this so please no TV!." </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nanny-watching-tv-while-baby-is-awake#post-2853042 Wed, 24 Oct 2018 14:30:19 +0000 Mrsbells 2853042@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ChiCalGoBee: is your baby facing the tv? I would just ask to have the baby facing away from the tv. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nanny-watching-tv-while-baby-is-awake#post-2853014 Wed, 24 Oct 2018 13:01:45 +0000 ChiCalGoBee 2853014@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks all for the feedback!</p> <p>@turquoisemama: Yes, I am her advocate. Thanks for the reminder.@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: Yep. I need to be direct. Thank you!@ElbieKay: Thanks for the backup. She's only 19 so needs clearer boundaries. @erinbaderin: Thanks! @kiddosc: Yes, music is totally great, and I've considered podcasts, too. I'm not a background noise person but @LBee suggested the nursery rhymes app which is an awesome idea.<br /> @snarkybiochemist: We have a bluetooth speaker I can set up for her! Thanks. @Mama Bird: The first time it was the cartoon, but it's subsequently been adult TV shows. Again, fine for her to watch when the baby is sleeping, but I don't necessarily need my 3-month-old watching adult content. Our nanny is not full-time...her longest day here is 5 hours and typically two naps occur, so she does get a decent amount of downtime. My son definitely gets to watch shows (he's almost 4) and so the baby has plenty of exposure to it then. But when he's at school and she's home, no need for it to be on all day.@Shantuck: Oh gosh-the personal errands thing. I don't think that'll happen (at least not for a while as they are only on foot at the moment), but good to know that it happened.</p> <p>Thanks again for the feedback! I'll set her up with the idea of podcasts and music. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nanny-watching-tv-while-baby-is-awake#post-2853013 Wed, 24 Oct 2018 12:26:14 +0000 Shantuck 2853013@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had this exact conversation with my nanny with my similarly aged baby. I just tried to casually say, "oh, we've been noticing that when the tv is on, the baby has been starting to look at it. We've decided that we're going to keep the tv off during the times she's awake and wanted to see if you could do the same. Obviously, feel free to watch when she's napping." My nanny replied with a "sounds good" and we actually didn't see it on again after that (though next came lugging the baby to do her personal errands/shopping, which necessitated a more direct and uncomfortable conversation). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nanny-watching-tv-while-baby-is-awake#post-2853004 Wed, 24 Oct 2018 11:25:11 +0000 Mama Bird 2853004@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't think this is so awful, especially considering she was watching a cartoon, not the evening news. But if it really bothers you, tell her.</p> <p>FWIW, I'm very much against screen time, but did watch kid-friendly stuff here and there "with" the kids at that age. They haven't turned into couch potatoes, and are OK with having very little screen time at home. I'm sure we'll have to revisit this when they're older and their friends are getting on social media, but that's another story.</p> <p>@snarkybiochemist: I really like the music suggestion! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nanny-watching-tv-while-baby-is-awake#post-2852965 Wed, 24 Oct 2018 08:53:44 +0000 snarkybiochemist 2852965@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Agreed with above, don't hint and be direct about it as her boss. I know generally I like having some type of background noise so I typically listen to music or podcasts. If this sounds reasonable to you I would make sure a speaker or radio is available to her and let her know clearly when these should be used rather than tv. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nanny-watching-tv-while-baby-is-awake#post-2852957 Wed, 24 Oct 2018 08:45:45 +0000 kiddosc 2852957@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Some people are just used to having the tv on all the time in the background. In her mind, if she's not actively watching and the baby isn't pointed at the screen, she may not even realize it's a problem. I'd be direct, tell her you'd prefer it not be on at all while the baby is awake and provide alternatives for background noise like music or podcasts. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nanny-watching-tv-while-baby-is-awake#post-2852956 Wed, 24 Oct 2018 08:43:13 +0000 erinbaderin 2852956@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was going to say something, but @ElbieKay said it better. Don’t hint, just directly set or remind her of your expectations that when the baby is up, the tv is off. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nanny-watching-tv-while-baby-is-awake#post-2852955 Wed, 24 Oct 2018 08:41:18 +0000 ElbieKay 2852955@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We are very clear on no screen time for anyone when they are with sitters. We also got rid of our tv, and the only way 4yo watches anything is via password-protected iPad.</p> <p>In your case I would just be direct: “Hey, I have noticed that the tv has been on more often recently. I want to remind you that LO is not permitted any screen time, so we expect the tv to be off whenever she is awake.”</p> <p>You don’t owe her an explanation, and mentioning studies as a “hint” is unfair to her because you are not communicating directly.</p> <p>This is not “scolding” her. You are her boss, and you are setting expectations for her job performance. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nanny-watching-tv-while-baby-is-awake#post-2852938 Wed, 24 Oct 2018 03:29:23 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2852938@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>That would bother me for a few reasons. 1. Your baby doesn’t need to the TV on at that age, 2. Your nanny isn’t interacting with her while it’s on, 3. You mentioned this before and 4. You set up the expectation from the beginning. Just like @turquoisemama: said, you are your child’s advocate and how will is she going to know unless you give it to her straight. I’d skip the ADHD part next time and when she comes over to start her day I’d give her a very clear reminder/ directive when the baby is awake TV must be off. If you hear it again then I would communicate your wishes in the moment. </p> <p>Recently, on LO’s daily report from daycare one of his meals indicated he was given juice. The next time I saw the lead (and morning drop off teacher) I told her what was on the report -and asked her if he was given juice or if it was an entry mistake. She says it was mistake- great. Anyway the convo served as a reminder about no juice. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nanny-watching-tv-while-baby-is-awake#post-2852936 Wed, 24 Oct 2018 00:42:09 +0000 turquoisemama 2852936@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yeah I’d be pretty upset too. I guess you could just have a serious talk and say the tv must be turned off before the baby is taken from the crib. Anytime I feel uncomfortable about situations like this I just remember something one of my daughters preschool teachers said “You are your child’s advocate”. You have to step in and hold strong on things you believe are important. If this is something you feel strongly about, don’t feel ashamed or uncomfortable sticking to your guns. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nanny-watching-tv-while-baby-is-awake#post-2852935 Wed, 24 Oct 2018 00:03:19 +0000 ChiCalGoBee 2852935@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have a 3-month-old baby, and we've been using our new nanny for just under two months now. She's been wonderful in a lot of ways-will check to see if laundry needs to be folded, will change the sheets on my preschooler's bed, will wash bottles and pump parts all without being prompted, etc. However, a few weeks ago, I came home and she was watching Moana "with" my baby. I didn't want to jump on her but did mention a study I read about babies and screen time correlating to ADHD, and said the baby shouldn't be watching anything. I said in the notes I gave her when she first started it was fine if she watches TV while the baby sleeps and she's taking a break, folding laundry, etc., but no screen time for the baby. Jump to today-I feel like it's on more and more, and after my daughter woke up, had a bottle, and was in the Boppy Lounger after, she still had the TV on the whole time. I work out of my home, so although I'm not hovering over her, I can hear the TV through my office wall. My husband brought it up to me tonight-and he usually doesn't notice things like this. I don't want to scold her, of course, but I'm not great at redirecting adults, especially one who is kind of an extension of our family by now (that's how I think of my nannies). Any tips on how I can make it less awkward of a conversation? Has anyone else dealt with this before? I want to be nice, but the bottom line is I don't want my daughter to be second fiddle to the TV when I'm paying someone to interact with her while I work. </p>