Community Corner

Family Forum: How Much Television Is Too Much?

This column will explore questions and seek answers for and from local residents.

Family Forum is the new name of our previously named Mom Talk column. This is a new initiative on our Patch sites to reach out to local families.

Also, this new forum will allow you to reach out to your neighbors as well as we share comments and information with Sayville, Bayport, Blue Point and Patchogue. We invite you and your circle of friends to help build a community of support for families.

Each week in Family Forum, our council of experts take your questions, give advice and share solutions. If you are interested in joining our council, email Denise@pach.com.

Find out what's happening in Sayville-Bayportwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Moms, dads, grandparents and the diverse families who make up our community will have a new resource for questions about local neighborhood schools, the best pediatricians, 24-hour pharmacies and the thousands of other issues that arise while raising children.

Family Forum will also be the place to drop in for a talk about the latest parenting hot topic. Do you know of local moms raising their children in the Tiger Mother's way and is it the best way? Where can we get information on local flu shot clinics for children? How do we talk to our children about the Tucson shootings? How can we help our children's schools weather their budget cutbacks?

Find out what's happening in Sayville-Bayportwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

So grab a cup of coffee and settle in as we start the conversation today. Please tell us your opinion in the comments section below.

Today’s question: How much TV is too much? Do you limit video games?

Debbie Bacon – Well, I think we've all fallen victim to the babysitter we call TV. We get to have the kids occupied so we can get some chores done and don't need to pay the $8/hour. Sometimes he's good, that 'ol TV, promoting educational information to my children. Sometimes he's not so good, teaching them new words or sayings that I now need to explain to their premature minds. On a daily basis, I allow my kids a little before school, but only after they are completely ready, bags packed, teeth brushed. Now, it didn't always work out that way and they've missed the bus on occasion, which is why I try to enforce it these days. After school, it's the same deal. Homework and activities need to be done and then they can relax a little with some TV or video games. After all, we all like to unwind in front of the 'tube' sometimes. Kids have a long day at school and I remember my days of watching 'Little House on the Prairie' before dinner was served. I feel like there is only a small window of TV/video time, that it doesn't really need to be limited. Their after-school activities keep them busy most days. Come Summer, all rules go out the window, since they are in sheer exhaustion from the sun, pool, and exercise. The TV rarely goes on and video games are not an issue as they don't use their handheld ones outside because of the glare from the sun that we are so longing for these days.

Kiersten Bartolotta – Let's face it. There has been an increase in TV time for kids over the years. Limiting TV viewing during the week is the rule in our house but I have definitely let them watch for too long when I am involved in a project around the house that I need to get done. I think you have to look at what your kids are doing to determine if they are watching too much TV. If they are in front of TV for more time than playing outside or reading books each day, it is probably time to shut it off.

Amy Keyes – I’d like to say Charlotte doesn’t watch any TV, but she watches about 30 minutes, two or three days a week right now. Usually Yo Gabba Gabba!, and usually when I’m alone with her, cleaning her bottles or making dinner. I don’t feel comfortable letting her watch much more than that at this age. I plan on keeping this limit (less than an hour, a couple of days a week) for the next year. As she gets older, I’ll probably allow a little bit more, but I never plan on letting her watch more than 2 hours per day. And for me, playing a video game counts toward total TV time, and I will only allow age-appropriate video games. To me, Grand Theft Auto, Call of Duty and the like are only age-appropriate for high school students and beyond.

Donna Haakonson – It depends on the programs that kids are watching and the other activities that are available to them when determining how much is too much. To be honest I think watching TV all day is better than playing video games all day.


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