It’s OK to Let Kids Watch TV and Not Feel Guilty
Parents are constantly shamed for their choices. From how we feed our children to how we educate them, everyone has an opinion on how to raise kids. The result? Moms and dads feel endlessly judged for the choices they make — even if they have no other options. This week, families around the country are sharing their inspiring, funny, honest, and heartbreaking stories with Yahoo Parenting in an effort to spark conversations, a little compassion, and change in the way we think about parenting forever. Share your story with us — #NoShameParenting
When my eldest son was younger, 10:30am was a magical time. That was when the Teletubbies came on, the delightfully creepy British children’s show with the sun baby and the colorful creatures who played videos on their tummies.
The minute the intro began, my rambunctious toddler would stop everything he was doing, run up to the T.V., and stand there, motionless. There he would stay for 20 whole minutes, completely mesmerized by the epic levels of weirdness unfolding before him.
And what did this mean for me? Shower time.
I would dash around the corner as quickly as I could, throwing off my clothes in the process. Leaving the bathroom door fully open and the shower curtain half closed for safety, I would enjoy what were arguably the most blissful moments of my entire day.
It was alone time. Getting clean time. Lather up the hair and wash the cracker crumbs from my cleavage time.
I dared not sing in the shower as I normally would, for I didn’t want to draw attention away from what was unfolding on the screen; I needed to let those spellbinding little rainbow creatures do their work.
After a few minutes I would emerge a cleansed goddess, smelling of coconut bar and whatever fruit conditioner was on sale that week.
If I was quick enough, I might even have time to make myself a coffee and take at least three sips before it went cold on the kitchen counter like every other coffee would that day.
Screen time has been met with a lot of backlash as of late – and with good reason. The average child consumes seven hours of screen time each day. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) warns that too much screen time can lead to attention problems, obesity, school difficulties, and sleep and eating disorders.
The AAP advises that children under two should not use screens at all, and that screen time be limited to a maximum of two hours per day for kids over two.
In other words, my 18-month-old should have never watched T.V. so I could take that shower.
But things aren’t always so black and white.
I didn’t find out until my son was a year old that I was suffering from postpartum depression. On top of therapy and medication, self-care became a top priority.
“Find some time for you,” my doctor insisted. It was easier said than done. I was a young stay-at-home-mom with few resources. I had no friends nearby, no vehicle, no one to ask for help. My depression medication made me tired, so I would often nap when my son did. This left little time for daily rituals like bathing.
So my saving grace became the Teletubbies, who entertained him long enough that I could get in a little “me” time. Those precious few minutes were like oxygen on days when it felt hard to breathe.
Television can be an excellent (and affordable!) mother’s helper. When the weather is apocalyptic, when you want to prep dinner in peace, when meltdowns are at an all-time high, when you’re sick and can’t entertain the little humans in your household, or when you’re struggling with mental health issues, screens can provide a welcome reprieve.
There is balance to be found in parenting, and it is okay to use technology without guilt.
My son is now 18 and heading to college in the fall. He graduated high school with honors and without attention issues. He sleeps like the dead and has an enviable metabolism.
Most importantly, he has a mother who is alive and well because she used the tools available to take care of her mental health.
Long live weird baby shows and blissful showers.
(Photo: Getty Images)
More from Mothering:
The Messy House Project: 10 Moms Share Pics of What Their Houses Really Look Like Most of the Time
10 Judgmental Comments About Moms I’m Tired of Hearing
What Attachment Parenting is NOT
Why I Just Can’t Do It: An Open Letter to Sexually Frustrated Husbands
Breast May be Best, but Every Mom Should be Respected for Her Choices
