I was watching The Wiggles with my kids this morning when I started to wonder if the television is controlling our lives?  I don’t think my kids are sitting in front of the television mindlessly watching the shows, but I have the schedule memorized for all their favorite shows.  They don’t watch every show every day, but I know that we can watch The Wiggles at 7, 10 and 11 am, and again at 2 pm. 

I want to make sure that the boys are not getting too much television in their lives, so off I went to the internet to do some reading and research.  Experts agree that children under the age of 2 should not watch television, and children under the age of 6 should have their viewing limited to two hours or less per day. 

Part of the problem with television viewing is that it is passive.  Even programs like Blue’s Clues that encourage participation by the children are by and large passive.  For many children television becomes their only form of stimulation- there is a lack of parental interaction.

I would never blame a parent who puts on the television so they can finish cooking dinner or make an important phone call.  There are a few things a parent can do to make the television their children watch a little better.

First, know what your child is watching.  Before you allow a child to watch a program, view it for yourself.  Sponge Bob Square Pants has a rating of TVY but I would not allow my two year olds to watch it.  Take the time to watch a program before you allow your children to watch it, and sit with your kids while they watch it to see how they react.

Limit the amount of television your child watches.  If you set limits with your child when they are young then they will be used to having limits on it.  It’s easier to become more permissive than it is to become more strict in terms of television habits.  Children who watch too much television are at an increased risk for childhood obesity and poor social skills.

Next, it is important that television is not your child’s only source of stimulation.  Read to your child.  Take them to the park and for walks.  Get involved in playgroups.  Make sure your child has other outlets than just the television set.

As easy as it is to do, don’t use television as a babysitter.  Once in a while is ok – you should not make it a regular habit to plop your children in front of the tv so you can chat with a girlfriend on the phone for an hour.

I’m not going to give up my television, nor am I going to stop my children from watching a show or two a day.  I’m just going to be more aware as to what they are watching and how much they watch.