[Samual]

Originally Posted by songbirdxx

Me too! .... I am sure underneath that Von Trapp exterior, there is someone who doesn't make a regimented half hour rule when the kids watch tv.............or does the alarm go off!
No more,I promise!

There is a method behind it, Mikey finishes school at four, gets home at nearly five, then it's tea time, then do a teenie bit of school work, then play, then tv then bath, then bed.

[twinzplus3]

My kids each have their own alarm. . .and it goes off after 30 minutes! (Or for however long they're allowed.)

[mrmnmom82]

I think tv as backround noise serves no purpose. Why is everyone so afraid of a little down time, no noise, and oportunity to chat about whatever pops into your head. No tv in the bedroom to avoid the rest of the family with. I think this world could use some children who don't have to constantly be doing SOMETHING!.. video games, texting, watching tv. I think that constant stimulation is leading to all the kids with ADD. I'm not anti tv. I think that time limits are important. 2hrs. max a day in my opinion.

[songbirdxx]

Each to their own and thats ok. I am certainly not an active television campaigner for children, as you can tell if you read my posts.I don't have an issue with routine or deciding to swich it off!,far from it.I suppose my issue is regarding children who are so regimented in general, that they loose their ability to express themselves.I am not speaking regarding anyone here ,as I do not know you other than your posts!I have honestly come across children who are like little robots, afraid to move or express themselves, without approval and would sit in restaurants flat faced, without uttering a word, unless they were spoken too.My family tables were always full of fun and laughter and lots of chat! (still are)obviously not disruptive or rude(never allowed) and yes the regimented tables would look at us with disdain! Quiet time in my household was during studying or homework,games such as chess, or family chats(not quiet at all) or obviously during sleep.Other than that it was all systems go!All I am saying, is that in my opinion routine is good, regimentation is not and I think there is a very fine line between the two!

[twinzplus3]

I tend to agree with you songbird. Before twins we were much less 'routined' but in order to function with twins, a more strict routine is a necessary evil. I have found though, at least in observing other families, that their regimentation often can come from lack of free time. I know people whose children get up, go to school, come home and have as many as 2 after school activities or at least something every night! Television often serves as the parent's down time. . .not the child's.

[songbirdxx]

Thanks Twinz. I admire people with twins and how they cope.Yours sound wonderful Two years between my children,not exactly twins, although it felt like it at times.
Now, about that alarm! make sure it doesn't go off before the end of a show! So frustrating! Perhaps you could get some advice from Samual,I am sure he uses one too and is just not admitting to it!

[twinzplus3]

You are too funny. Truth be told, the alarm was for toilet training. (Note the word used!!!!) It was just a little too much for my over tired brain to keep track of when this child was finished with her work and could have a break, and when that child was needing to do this subject and then to add toilet training twins. So Emily had an alarm and Laura had an alarm to go. Lizzy already had an alarm to time her breaks. (Thrives on regulation that child does.) So then we just got one for each of 'em. Now they can time their work, their breaks. . .and their t.v. time. (Although truthfully we generally let them pick a show rather than setting a time limit. . .it's the computer that gets a time limit.) Sounds like a zoo huh?!

[jkl123]

My 12 year old just got a TV for his room for Christmas. I homeschool my children and he often uses his 'downtime' to watch Animal Planet or Discovery Channel (the only 2 channels he EVER watches). We have a very small house, and with his 5 year old brother, and my elderly mother here as well, he doesn't get any peace and quiet in the family room to watch and learn. He is also the type who prefers quiet, alone time to chaos (my 5 year old is the complete opposite!!)
His younger brother, who is 5, does NOT have a TV in his room, since his fav. show is SpongeBob and would be watching that 24/7 if given the power to!!

[mndy]

You are right poliscmjr. "I can't sleep with that type of noise" and neither can I. TVs don't belong in the bedroom. My kids are still too young even want that, but when we do, no dice. TV is together time, otherwise it just becomes a bad habit.

[Blessed0608]

I don't have kids old enough for TVs yet, but I think when they are, I won't want them to have one in their room. If they want to watch TV, I think they can just watch it in the living room, that way I have better control over how long and what they are watching.