TV Time Trouble

I am a hypocrite. It's true. A few months ago I wrote this post about Toddler TV time and it's relation to ADD. Did you know that their chances of having ADD and trouble in school increases nearly 10 percent for every hour of television they watch before age three?! I had all the good intentions and was really trying to keep my son's Television time to 30 minutes per day. My little one is already super active and kinda crazy to keep entertained and quiet when needed. I had these horror stories running through my mind about how letting him watch TV would cause him to act out in the future and how he would struggle in school.

I was doing great limiting his TV time and was so proud of myself, for like a month. Then, cooler weather set in and things got busy and I got lazy. It is just so much easier to turn on Word World so that I can get a blog post written or get dinner on the table. Am taking the easy way out? Yes, but it's so...well, easy. So much easier than having him wrapped around my leg begging me to write an "A" or build a boat out of blocks.

He has a gazillion toys. In fact, he has an entire room in the basement dedicated to his play time. The problem is, he does not want to go down and play alone. That is no fun. So, what to do? I am totally feeling great about getting things done, but feeling guilty about having him glued in front of the television.

It's not that I don't like playing with him. He is adorable and so very excited with every little activity. I love his silly laugh and melt every time he smiles. Again, it's the guilt. If I just play, there are chores and responsibilities nagging at me. If I do chores and put him in front of the TV, there is the guilt that I am negatively affecting his development. So what do I do?! I feel guilty whatever I do. Wait a minute, I feel guilty either way. Sounds like I just need to ditch the guilt.

My almost 2 year old can count to 15 and recognizes nearly 20 letters. His development is fine! And those people who have spotless houses are either empty nesters or have a compulsion that I cannot keep up with! I don't need to get everything on the list done today and I also don't have to play with my little one every second. As long as I find a balance that is what truly matters. Right?!

Original Rocky Mountain Moms Blog post. When her son is being babysat by Little Einsteins, Michelle B. is completing projects for her blog A Little Tipsy.