The Great TV Debate

TV in kids bedrooms.  Is it totally kosher or something that’s going to rot children’s brains?  I was curious what my readers thought about putting a TV in kids bedrooms so I asked.  And as expected, there were mixed feelings on whether or not it’s appropriate.  That seems to go along with everything in life though.  Even the so called experts can’t agree on what’s best.

So were you wondering where I stand on the kids with TV’s in their bedroom?  Do I allow it in my house?  Do the older ones have one, but not the little ones?  Maybe the little ones have it but not the older ones.  Maybe TV’s are completely banned in my house.  Well, wonder no more about my thoughts on TV.

TVs In Monica’s House

We have two TVs in our house.  One in the living room and one in mine and dear husband’s bedroom.  That’s it, none in the kids rooms at all.  I personally could do without the TV in our bedroom, but my husband likes the noise to go to sleep.  And actually, it was helpful when the children were babies for late night feedings.  Gave me a little light to see, but not too much that it would really wake anyone up.

It wasn’t always like this.  When my oldest was a toddler we were living with a friend and she had a TV in the bedroom we were using for my oldest.  We just left it in there and I liked it to an extent, but it was a little harder to monitor how much television she was watching.  She knew how to turn the TV on.

I don’t think she really remembers having a television.  When we moved we never put one in her room and she was fine with that.  She has occasionally asked for a TV in her room.  My 4 year old is more interested in having one in his room though, but we will not allow it.

I truly feel it’s too difficult to really monitor and limit the use of TV if it’s right in the child’s room.  And I absolutely don’t want my children staying up at night to watch TV.  It’s bad enough that they don’t go right to sleep when I send them to bed now, if the TV was on there would be many more late nights.  And with school back in session we cannot have children who are not well rested.

I Find The Television To Be Too Stimulating

All the lights and sounds.  Now of course every family is different and like I said my husband has always needed some noise to help him get to sleep at night.  So I’m sure that could be the issue with some children.

However, I think if that’s the case then it should not be on something that the children are going to really be sitting there and watching.  No cartoons.  Probably should be something like the History channel and the sound should be turned down considerably.  But then again I think if my child needed noise to fall asleep I would just have a radio in his room.

I Have Many Friends With TVs In Kids Rooms

While I might not agree with it for my family I know plenty of people who do have a TV in their kids bedroom.  One friend I don’t think ever has it on it actually is part of the decor of her child’s room.  We all have to do what’s best, but I do think if TVs are going to be used then it has to be strictly monitored with severe consequences should the rules be broken.

And I think we need to be aware of whether or not it’s hindering our children.  If it seems they are just not falling asleep until really late at night and then they are absolutely impossible to get up in the morning and just a complete bear to be around and are frequently taking naps even though they have long since outgrown a nap, then it might be time to reconsider what exactly the TV is doing for your child in the bedroom.  Especially once they are school age they need to be alert and ready to learn so sleep is so vital to making sure they can succeed.  I would never want to hinder that process of my child.

What Do My Readers Think?

Here is what was said by my readers on my Facebook fan page about the subject:

So that was on my Facebook page.  What do you think?  Do you have a TV in your child’s bedroom?  Why or why not?

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