Do you leave the TV on for your toddler most of the day while you do things around the house?

Question

I found myself doing this because I can't sit there and entertain him. He gets bored and/or cries when I'm trying to do dishes, cook, laundry, etc. I usually put it on Baby First TV channel. He loves it. I mean, isn't that what it's for? haha. And he understands mostly not to stand right in front of the TV. When I was really little, my mom set me down in front of music TV back in the day and I turned out just fine!

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Our daughter is 10.5 months so not quite toddler age but our tv is rarely on in our home and if it is, she’s napping. We’ve always promoted independent play so it’s not a problem at all for her to sit in the living room with some toys while I straighten up and do what I have to do. I’m self employed and work from home so some days she’s playing on her own for an 1-1.5 hours at time. She doesn’t expect me to entertain her all day and I’m not using a tv to keep her entertained either. I think it’s very important not to start the tv addition at that age to promote independent and imaginative play.

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I have the tv on because I hate the silence at home but baby could care less if the tv was on or not unless it’s rock of love then he’ll watch

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Fuck yes otherwise nothing would get done around the house

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My son is 19 months and if I didn't leave the tv on sometimes, I'd never get anything done. I leave out toys and crayons and whatnot too, but he'll hang off of me and scream into my knees while I try to cook or clean. If I turn on Storybots or something, he'll go watch it and play nicely while I finish. Unfortunately I just can't get everything done for the whole day in the time he's napping. If someone wants to say that's lazy, then whatever. I spend plenty of time through the day playing and reading with him, I don't feel bad about letting him watch something educational while I make food.

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I leave it on more for background noise. My daughter loves that channel too but sometimes I have it on a non cartoon channel.  I think as long as y’all are doing other things and interacting then it’s fine.  I did the same with my oldest and she never been to day care and she’s more advanced then most kids her age at 6.  So it really doesn’t affect them if you’re still parenting.

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My son just turned two. He spends most of his time in his room playing with his toys, not in front of a T.V. My husband lets him watch a lot of T.V. and it really irks me.

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Baby First TV is awesome. It's all educational and my 20 month old actually learns things from it. He loves naming the animals and other things that come on. It's really the only thing he'll watch on TV. Nothing wrong with putting it on to get some things done.

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I work with 2 year olds and they usually leave the tv on or play music the whole day. They also use YouTube which is fine too as long as you’re in the room due to inappropriate videos and ads.

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The TV taught me to read (no sound, captions on) 😂
My TV is always on these days and has been since my son was little. Honestly if I could’ve got my son to sit the heck down when he was a toddler it would’ve been a blessing. The only problem I see is if you’re using it to replace time spent playing, learning and being with you which is clearly not what it seems you’re doing - so all good. I can’t imagine timing how long my TV is on or that it being on more than is recommended will turn my kid’s brain to mush. He’s in kindergarten now (didn’t go to preschool) and by mid year was reading and writing at a 2nd grade level - he’s fine, TV didn’t steal his brain! 
Another little story: my son has a friend, super awesome little girl, who isn’t allowed to watch TV at her house (which is totally cool and has nothing to do with me) but when she comes over to play if the TV is on she is SO all about it she can barely hear us talking to her 😂 since my son has always been around the TV now he hardly pays attention to it - he might stop and watch for a minute if something catches his ear or sit through a cartoon episode every once in a while but it’s not some amazing magical thing to him and he’d rather do other things. 
I don’t think TV or no TV matters, what matters is that children get what they need outside of TV ☺️

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If you don't leave the TV on, then what do you do? He's 1. So can't really play games or draw....

Do you leave the TV on for your toddler most of the day while you do things around the house?

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