Q: The American Academy of Pediatrics recommended that children under the age of two not watch television. I have 18-month-old twins and when I get home from work and try to prepare dinner, I turn on TV or videos for them. Do you think this is harmful and do you have any ideas for alternate activities to help keep my little ones happy at this busy time?
I believe it's all relative. While it's better for kids to be out playing in the yard or something, the reality is sometimes you need them entertained. My view is, if you have them in front of PBS kids for a half hour or something, it's not going to hurt them. If you are putting on something violent or leaving the TV on all day long, that may have a negative effect. If I'm sick, or feeling really down, I will turn on the tv (PBS Kids!) and lay on the couch or read so something. I figure it's better that they have something positive entertaining them than me yelling at them. Obviously they always have the option of trying to ignore the tv and play with toys instead. Most days, though, I stick to 30-60 minutes.
