Reply #17: Mom and Gramma plopped me in front of Ed TV at about 1.

[politicat]

We lived in a large farmhouse and there were places that I could get hurt. Especially during the summers, there wasn't always someone to watch me Every. Single. Second. A baby gate across the living room door meant that I could see what was going on in the kitchen, but not be underfoot. Since we canned a lot of vegetables and had other farm related things going on, having a dedicated child minder for one child was a waste of resources. (When there were more children on the farm, we had a minder. Usually me.)

I turned out better than fine. I read early, had a large vocabulary from about 18 months on, was emotionally and socially secure and very comfortable with most people. Sesame Street, 3-2-1 Contact, Reading Rainbow and The Electric Company were very good for me.

I've watched both my nephew and my niece interact with televisions; both of them play a little then dance or play along with the games, then go back to their playing. Since that is normal infant and toddler behavior, I doubt the TV is ruining them. Both speak well for the ages, have normal to long attention spans, and have no behavioral issues of note. They are secure and comfortable with people other than their mothers, handled the transition to a day creche well, and are coordinated and physically healthy.

Most importantly, they are both capable of entertaining themselves and making up games for themselves. My sisters are not chained to their children as some mothers are; both of my sisters are able to have independent thoughts and actions.

But my family has never been terribly child-centric. We don't make the world revolve around the children, and I think we've all been better for it.