1 00:00:00,280 --> 00:00:08,840 Speaker 1: Who baby, my baby, I need you, Oh hell, I 2 00:00:09,160 --> 00:00:14,000 Speaker 1: need you. What to Expect is a production of I 3 00:00:14,200 --> 00:00:18,239 Speaker 1: Heart Radio. I'm your host Heidi Murkop and I'm a 4 00:00:18,280 --> 00:00:20,960 Speaker 1: mom on a mission, a mission to help you know 5 00:00:21,120 --> 00:00:27,319 Speaker 1: what to expect every step of the way. Okay, so 6 00:00:27,560 --> 00:00:30,360 Speaker 1: raise your hand if you're starting to feel like you're 7 00:00:30,480 --> 00:00:34,360 Speaker 1: co parenting with a cast of cartoon characters, like your 8 00:00:34,400 --> 00:00:36,960 Speaker 1: little one is being raised by a tag team of 9 00:00:37,040 --> 00:00:42,160 Speaker 1: Anna Elsa, Woody, Nicky and Pepper Pig and turning into 10 00:00:42,200 --> 00:00:45,880 Speaker 1: a couch potato todd right before your eyes. That is, 11 00:00:45,920 --> 00:00:48,720 Speaker 1: when your eyes and attention aren't focused on your own 12 00:00:48,760 --> 00:00:54,640 Speaker 1: electronic devices. Not to worry, you're not alone for most parents, 13 00:00:54,840 --> 00:00:58,080 Speaker 1: especially during the time of COVID, when home isn't only 14 00:00:58,080 --> 00:01:01,080 Speaker 1: where the heart is, but the off us, the daycare, 15 00:01:01,520 --> 00:01:05,240 Speaker 1: the school, the store, and much more, not to mention 16 00:01:05,360 --> 00:01:10,120 Speaker 1: the three ring circus. You probably currently live in desperate 17 00:01:10,160 --> 00:01:14,440 Speaker 1: times and desperate parents call for desperate measures, And if 18 00:01:14,480 --> 00:01:18,440 Speaker 1: you're like most desperate parents, the line between screen time 19 00:01:18,520 --> 00:01:21,800 Speaker 1: and the rest of the time has blurred. An hour 20 00:01:21,920 --> 00:01:26,160 Speaker 1: per day has turned into two, maybe three, maybe more, 21 00:01:26,920 --> 00:01:29,919 Speaker 1: leaving you stuck with the theme song to Moanna playing 22 00:01:29,959 --> 00:01:32,720 Speaker 1: on a loop in your head and dealing with more 23 00:01:32,800 --> 00:01:37,720 Speaker 1: than a little mom guilt and wondering what's the truth 24 00:01:37,760 --> 00:01:41,000 Speaker 1: about screen time and your little ones development? How much 25 00:01:41,040 --> 00:01:44,680 Speaker 1: screen time is too much? And how long can you 26 00:01:44,760 --> 00:01:48,200 Speaker 1: continue giving yourself a pass on your child's all access 27 00:01:48,240 --> 00:01:53,400 Speaker 1: passed to the tablet and TV during these challenging times, 28 00:01:53,560 --> 00:01:57,880 Speaker 1: or on your own pass to the phone you're never without. First, 29 00:01:58,400 --> 00:02:01,880 Speaker 1: let's lose any gilt you have, because, as you know 30 00:02:01,960 --> 00:02:05,120 Speaker 1: by now, what to expect is a no guilt zone. 31 00:02:05,720 --> 00:02:10,880 Speaker 1: Then let's talk the realities of TV tablets and you're 32 00:02:10,919 --> 00:02:16,440 Speaker 1: taught speaking of moms in screen time. I'm here with Emma, Hey, 33 00:02:16,480 --> 00:02:20,720 Speaker 1: Emma guiltiest charge. Yeah, let's just say she's walking the 34 00:02:20,760 --> 00:02:23,799 Speaker 1: walk to the couch with those couch potato tots as 35 00:02:23,840 --> 00:02:26,919 Speaker 1: we speak. And if we're being real, which we always 36 00:02:27,000 --> 00:02:30,040 Speaker 1: are here on what to expect, I'm pretty sure I 37 00:02:30,160 --> 00:02:33,359 Speaker 1: know your philosophy about screen time and kids because I've 38 00:02:33,360 --> 00:02:36,799 Speaker 1: seen it in action, but maybe not everybody listening does, 39 00:02:37,120 --> 00:02:40,359 Speaker 1: So why don't you share. I'm definitely a little or 40 00:02:40,440 --> 00:02:45,480 Speaker 1: a little guilty of excess screen time situation currently, I 41 00:02:45,480 --> 00:02:47,920 Speaker 1: don't think I was as bad. And then COVID happened, 42 00:02:47,919 --> 00:02:50,120 Speaker 1: and I kind of threw all the push into the 43 00:02:50,120 --> 00:02:55,120 Speaker 1: wind and lead with the tablet. But I also have 44 00:02:55,240 --> 00:02:58,880 Speaker 1: to cook dinner, right, I have to pay it. And 45 00:02:59,360 --> 00:03:02,160 Speaker 1: I have a toddler that is so far up my 46 00:03:02,720 --> 00:03:05,560 Speaker 1: you know what, that he's going to sit on my 47 00:03:05,680 --> 00:03:07,560 Speaker 1: lap when I'm peeing if I don't give him a 48 00:03:07,600 --> 00:03:10,560 Speaker 1: screen So they love it. They love a good screen time, 49 00:03:10,720 --> 00:03:15,760 Speaker 1: and I love the few minutes it gives me. But 50 00:03:15,919 --> 00:03:19,520 Speaker 1: I do try to engage sometimes with them about what 51 00:03:19,600 --> 00:03:23,359 Speaker 1: they're watching that's really important. So Sebby is more into 52 00:03:23,400 --> 00:03:27,200 Speaker 1: TV and and Lennox is more into video. Sebby is 53 00:03:27,639 --> 00:03:31,800 Speaker 1: all into YouTube. He loves Baby Jake. He wishes Baby 54 00:03:31,880 --> 00:03:35,280 Speaker 1: Jake was his biffle best friend for life. Sometimes he'll 55 00:03:35,320 --> 00:03:38,320 Speaker 1: like copies everything they're saying. So I feel like it's 56 00:03:38,360 --> 00:03:42,240 Speaker 1: somewhat educational because he he's learning, and I do try 57 00:03:42,240 --> 00:03:45,400 Speaker 1: to have him watch things that have some sort of 58 00:03:45,520 --> 00:03:49,320 Speaker 1: educational value. But I mean he does like watching Peppa Pig. Yeah, 59 00:03:49,560 --> 00:03:52,280 Speaker 1: so with Pepper Pig at least he learns a British accent. 60 00:03:52,360 --> 00:03:54,360 Speaker 1: I mean, that's the only reason I let him watch 61 00:03:54,360 --> 00:03:56,200 Speaker 1: Peppa because my goal is for him to end up 62 00:03:56,200 --> 00:03:58,560 Speaker 1: with a British accent. Okay, you're on your wing. I'm 63 00:03:58,720 --> 00:04:01,720 Speaker 1: love with I know you sometimes do, but I don't 64 00:04:01,760 --> 00:04:03,480 Speaker 1: know if you fall through much. Do you use it 65 00:04:03,520 --> 00:04:06,160 Speaker 1: as a reward or take it away as a consequence 66 00:04:06,240 --> 00:04:11,720 Speaker 1: of behavior. Look, the consequence consequences me, not them. That's true. 67 00:04:12,240 --> 00:04:15,960 Speaker 1: I try with Lennox more, especially because Sebby's just turned two. 68 00:04:16,279 --> 00:04:18,640 Speaker 1: He barely understands what I'm saying to him normally, So 69 00:04:18,720 --> 00:04:20,800 Speaker 1: I'm like, I'm taking the TV away from you. He'd 70 00:04:20,800 --> 00:04:25,599 Speaker 1: be like, car, you know what I mean. It's not 71 00:04:25,680 --> 00:04:28,279 Speaker 1: like a thing. But Lennox, I use it more of 72 00:04:28,320 --> 00:04:30,600 Speaker 1: a consequence. But then sometimes I give in because I'm 73 00:04:30,600 --> 00:04:34,920 Speaker 1: a pushover. Okay, more about that later. So I would say, 74 00:04:35,200 --> 00:04:39,200 Speaker 1: you use it mainly as a babysitter. Look, that is 75 00:04:39,279 --> 00:04:43,680 Speaker 1: my free babysitter. I'm gonna own it because honestly, I 76 00:04:43,720 --> 00:04:47,400 Speaker 1: feel less inclined not to lie to you guys because 77 00:04:47,440 --> 00:04:49,359 Speaker 1: of COVID and be like, look, we're all in this 78 00:04:49,680 --> 00:04:52,520 Speaker 1: right now, and this is a whole thing. This is 79 00:04:52,600 --> 00:04:56,239 Speaker 1: literally like their lifeline to the outside world. YouTube videos 80 00:04:56,240 --> 00:04:58,719 Speaker 1: with other kids. It's the only time they're getting to, 81 00:04:59,080 --> 00:05:02,200 Speaker 1: you know, see other or pigs or pigs or pigs? 82 00:05:02,839 --> 00:05:05,000 Speaker 1: Do you tend to use it as background noise also 83 00:05:06,160 --> 00:05:11,320 Speaker 1: sometimes So you know that my childhood was a tad 84 00:05:11,520 --> 00:05:16,320 Speaker 1: different and even yours was because when I was little, 85 00:05:16,520 --> 00:05:20,679 Speaker 1: I was allowed literally one hour of TV per week. 86 00:05:20,920 --> 00:05:24,400 Speaker 1: You're talking about my childhood. No, no, no, you had 87 00:05:24,480 --> 00:05:28,160 Speaker 1: Sesame Street every day plus one hour. No. But when 88 00:05:28,160 --> 00:05:30,520 Speaker 1: I was older, I only had one hour. I remember 89 00:05:30,560 --> 00:05:34,200 Speaker 1: this because I watched Full House. Okay, so my mom 90 00:05:34,279 --> 00:05:37,680 Speaker 1: was super strict about it, and I think I relaxed 91 00:05:37,680 --> 00:05:40,200 Speaker 1: a little. I wasn't even allowed to watch TV when 92 00:05:40,240 --> 00:05:44,279 Speaker 1: I was home sick. I had to read. I mean 93 00:05:44,680 --> 00:05:46,159 Speaker 1: not that that's a bad thing. It was a good 94 00:05:46,200 --> 00:05:49,359 Speaker 1: thing in retrospect, but at the time everybody else was 95 00:05:49,400 --> 00:05:54,359 Speaker 1: watching TV constantly. I felt a little cheated. But I was, 96 00:05:54,800 --> 00:05:56,919 Speaker 1: you know, on the strict side with TV when you 97 00:05:56,960 --> 00:05:59,720 Speaker 1: guys were little. And I'm happy about that because you 98 00:05:59,760 --> 00:06:02,640 Speaker 1: spent a lot more time reading and a lot more 99 00:06:02,680 --> 00:06:05,320 Speaker 1: time playing, and you know, yeah, but I feel like 100 00:06:05,360 --> 00:06:07,840 Speaker 1: you did disservice to me because now I feel guilty 101 00:06:07,960 --> 00:06:10,640 Speaker 1: because I'm like, wait, I was outside do them all 102 00:06:10,640 --> 00:06:12,280 Speaker 1: the stuff, and now my kids are in from those 103 00:06:12,279 --> 00:06:15,919 Speaker 1: tablets and damn it, Mom, Now I feel bad. I 104 00:06:16,080 --> 00:06:19,120 Speaker 1: had such a great imagination. No guilt, no guilt. We're 105 00:06:19,120 --> 00:06:22,000 Speaker 1: in a no guilt zone. Remember, no no guilt. I 106 00:06:22,040 --> 00:06:24,000 Speaker 1: do it to myself. We do it to ourselves. But 107 00:06:24,040 --> 00:06:26,960 Speaker 1: it's funny because Lennox knows he can't turn on the 108 00:06:26,960 --> 00:06:29,360 Speaker 1: TV when he gets to our house and Sabby's at 109 00:06:29,360 --> 00:06:31,520 Speaker 1: our house, the TV is never on. I mean they 110 00:06:31,600 --> 00:06:34,920 Speaker 1: watch it on special occasions or they have their special 111 00:06:34,960 --> 00:06:38,680 Speaker 1: TV time, but they managed to get along without it, 112 00:06:38,800 --> 00:06:42,040 Speaker 1: so I guess, you know, they kind of accept whatever 113 00:06:42,080 --> 00:06:44,520 Speaker 1: the house rules are, which is which is super common. 114 00:06:44,560 --> 00:06:46,880 Speaker 1: But it's usually the other way around. I hear from 115 00:06:46,880 --> 00:06:50,400 Speaker 1: parents all the time. My parents, you know, the grandparents 116 00:06:50,440 --> 00:06:53,320 Speaker 1: are always spoiling the kids by giving them so much 117 00:06:53,360 --> 00:06:56,040 Speaker 1: TV time or so much iPhone time. Yeah, but you 118 00:06:56,080 --> 00:06:57,839 Speaker 1: can't wait, how are you going to spoil them? Already? 119 00:06:57,839 --> 00:07:01,159 Speaker 1: Give them enough. It's true. It's impossible to spoil your kids. 120 00:07:01,880 --> 00:07:05,320 Speaker 1: You've already done it. I know. So let's take a 121 00:07:05,400 --> 00:07:08,440 Speaker 1: quick break, and when we come back, I'm answering the 122 00:07:08,480 --> 00:07:11,800 Speaker 1: biggest questions you have about screen time and your kids. 123 00:07:12,200 --> 00:07:28,600 Speaker 1: No guilt allowed. Okay, mom, So let's talk screen time. 124 00:07:29,360 --> 00:07:32,640 Speaker 1: What are the biggest concerns about screen times in our 125 00:07:32,680 --> 00:07:36,280 Speaker 1: little ones, not that I really want to know, but 126 00:07:36,440 --> 00:07:40,000 Speaker 1: I figured I should ask this. Oh look, I mean, 127 00:07:40,000 --> 00:07:43,640 Speaker 1: nobody really wants to know, but it's good information to have. Really, 128 00:07:43,680 --> 00:07:46,880 Speaker 1: the biggest concern about screen time is what kids are 129 00:07:46,920 --> 00:07:50,160 Speaker 1: missing out when they're doing screen time, and that's a 130 00:07:50,240 --> 00:07:53,680 Speaker 1: lot of actually really important stuff. It's time they would 131 00:07:53,680 --> 00:07:59,520 Speaker 1: spend learning by doing and exploring and interacting and socializing, 132 00:08:00,160 --> 00:08:06,360 Speaker 1: problem solving, creating, using their imaginations, you know, fine tuning 133 00:08:06,520 --> 00:08:11,160 Speaker 1: fine motor skills, flexing their brain power, and flexing their 134 00:08:11,200 --> 00:08:15,680 Speaker 1: actual other muscles. And that's true at any age. For babies, 135 00:08:16,080 --> 00:08:19,600 Speaker 1: there's a lot more downside to screen time. First of all, 136 00:08:19,640 --> 00:08:24,160 Speaker 1: babies don't get TV. They're absolutely mesmerized by it. The 137 00:08:24,280 --> 00:08:27,400 Speaker 1: lights and the sounds suck them in. But studies show 138 00:08:27,440 --> 00:08:31,360 Speaker 1: that infants can't learn from TV. So even when they're 139 00:08:31,360 --> 00:08:35,160 Speaker 1: watching you know, so called educational programming that's supposed to 140 00:08:35,240 --> 00:08:39,440 Speaker 1: speed up language development, the research shows the opposite that 141 00:08:39,480 --> 00:08:42,920 Speaker 1: it actually slows down that development. And that's because babies 142 00:08:42,960 --> 00:08:46,199 Speaker 1: and toddlers learn best from people. That's where they learn 143 00:08:46,280 --> 00:08:52,600 Speaker 1: their language, their social skills, emotions, empathy, Like I always 144 00:08:52,640 --> 00:08:56,800 Speaker 1: say human interface. There is no app for that. And 145 00:08:56,840 --> 00:08:59,600 Speaker 1: for older kids, Lennox this age, too much screen time 146 00:09:00,120 --> 00:09:03,480 Speaker 1: has been linked to reduced attention span and that's not 147 00:09:03,559 --> 00:09:07,400 Speaker 1: a surprise because everything's bright and shiny and flashing all 148 00:09:07,440 --> 00:09:09,800 Speaker 1: the time, and so when they go to something like 149 00:09:09,840 --> 00:09:14,320 Speaker 1: a book, it's just by nature less exciting. And listen. 150 00:09:14,400 --> 00:09:17,760 Speaker 1: I know TV is easy, I know it's fun. I 151 00:09:17,800 --> 00:09:20,120 Speaker 1: know kids love it. I know it gives parents a 152 00:09:20,200 --> 00:09:25,319 Speaker 1: chance to get things done. But that's what the researchers, doctors, 153 00:09:25,360 --> 00:09:28,920 Speaker 1: experts worry about when when it comes to screen time 154 00:09:29,280 --> 00:09:31,880 Speaker 1: becoming all the time or even a lot of the time. 155 00:09:32,360 --> 00:09:36,080 Speaker 1: And that's actually what worries me too, and sometimes why 156 00:09:36,080 --> 00:09:42,439 Speaker 1: I gently nag. You love nagging ever so gently. Okay, 157 00:09:42,480 --> 00:09:47,000 Speaker 1: so what are the rackammended guidelines? I know you always 158 00:09:47,000 --> 00:09:50,280 Speaker 1: tell me about the peak guidelines. And then when I 159 00:09:50,320 --> 00:09:54,520 Speaker 1: asked the pediatrician, she's like, it's okay, don't feel too guilty. 160 00:09:54,720 --> 00:10:00,800 Speaker 1: So your pediatrician is Dr and Cross me, and she 161 00:10:00,880 --> 00:10:03,199 Speaker 1: happens to be on the communications team for the a 162 00:10:03,440 --> 00:10:06,680 Speaker 1: P and so she's always my go to for guidelines. 163 00:10:06,840 --> 00:10:08,440 Speaker 1: So it's funny she says that to you, but she 164 00:10:08,520 --> 00:10:11,760 Speaker 1: knows you, and she knows me, and she knows you're 165 00:10:11,800 --> 00:10:15,000 Speaker 1: already hearing it from me, so she does tread gently. 166 00:10:15,480 --> 00:10:19,000 Speaker 1: So that said, here's what she would tell anyone else, 167 00:10:19,000 --> 00:10:23,360 Speaker 1: because these are the guidelines. AP recommends little to no 168 00:10:23,640 --> 00:10:26,720 Speaker 1: screen time for babies and toddlers under the age of 169 00:10:26,760 --> 00:10:30,120 Speaker 1: eighteen months, except for video chatting, and video chatting is 170 00:10:30,200 --> 00:10:34,560 Speaker 1: especially important these days, you know, family being far away 171 00:10:34,600 --> 00:10:38,160 Speaker 1: and can't visit or fair or not currently in your pod. 172 00:10:38,840 --> 00:10:41,680 Speaker 1: And no more than one hour per day of high 173 00:10:41,720 --> 00:10:46,520 Speaker 1: quality programming for older toddlers and preschoolers, and no more 174 00:10:46,559 --> 00:10:49,640 Speaker 1: than two hours per day for school aged kids. And 175 00:10:50,120 --> 00:10:55,040 Speaker 1: is that realistic? Maybe maybe not? Maybe probably not right 176 00:10:55,080 --> 00:10:57,439 Speaker 1: now when everyone's stuck at home and there's no easy 177 00:10:57,559 --> 00:11:01,319 Speaker 1: escape to the children's museum or the play boundary even 178 00:11:01,440 --> 00:11:04,360 Speaker 1: for walk around them all or a visit to a 179 00:11:04,400 --> 00:11:07,679 Speaker 1: friend's house, and your reality is trying to keep your 180 00:11:07,720 --> 00:11:11,800 Speaker 1: little one busy and happy all day, every day, and 181 00:11:11,880 --> 00:11:15,600 Speaker 1: your entertainment options are strained, and so is maybe your 182 00:11:15,640 --> 00:11:19,920 Speaker 1: patients and ps. When you're only one person and you 183 00:11:19,960 --> 00:11:23,680 Speaker 1: happen to be a human person. Okay, so it might 184 00:11:23,679 --> 00:11:26,240 Speaker 1: not be that realistic, but clearly there will be days 185 00:11:26,280 --> 00:11:29,960 Speaker 1: when limits are exceeded or ignored all together, like when 186 00:11:29,960 --> 00:11:32,200 Speaker 1: you have to zoom meetings in a row and they're 187 00:11:32,280 --> 00:11:36,760 Speaker 1: running over an hour each and having a whiny toddler 188 00:11:37,120 --> 00:11:40,800 Speaker 1: on your lap, tugging on your hair and smearing banana 189 00:11:40,840 --> 00:11:43,640 Speaker 1: on your keyboard. I must sound familiar. I feel that 190 00:11:43,840 --> 00:11:47,240 Speaker 1: so deeply. It's not gonna cut it. The main thing 191 00:11:47,320 --> 00:11:50,880 Speaker 1: is you try to set somewhat realistic limits, and then 192 00:11:50,920 --> 00:11:55,920 Speaker 1: you try your realistic best to follow them under these circumstances. 193 00:11:56,000 --> 00:12:00,440 Speaker 1: Keyword try, try, try exactly. And the truth said, I 194 00:12:00,440 --> 00:12:03,680 Speaker 1: mean you've noticed this. Kids who are used to limits, 195 00:12:03,760 --> 00:12:07,880 Speaker 1: they might not embrace them, and they'll definitely challenge them, 196 00:12:08,240 --> 00:12:10,480 Speaker 1: but they're also more likely to look at them if 197 00:12:10,520 --> 00:12:14,720 Speaker 1: super grudgingly, Like Lennox always says, you're so mean or 198 00:12:14,960 --> 00:12:17,840 Speaker 1: you're so rude. Oh my gosh, I like hear that 199 00:12:17,920 --> 00:12:21,480 Speaker 1: in my sleep. I know me too. But it is 200 00:12:21,559 --> 00:12:24,320 Speaker 1: important to remember and to remind yourself and sort of 201 00:12:24,320 --> 00:12:27,640 Speaker 1: make it your mantra that you're the parent. You run 202 00:12:27,679 --> 00:12:31,000 Speaker 1: the show, and that includes deciding how many shows are 203 00:12:31,040 --> 00:12:33,400 Speaker 1: gonna be watched and which ones, and if you don't 204 00:12:33,480 --> 00:12:35,640 Speaker 1: quite buy it yourself, you just have to practice it 205 00:12:35,679 --> 00:12:38,559 Speaker 1: in the mirror until you do, like an affirmation every 206 00:12:38,600 --> 00:12:41,960 Speaker 1: day me, parents, you kid. Maybe I should write that 207 00:12:42,040 --> 00:12:44,480 Speaker 1: on my mirror and lipstick or crayon or something, or 208 00:12:44,920 --> 00:12:50,280 Speaker 1: smeared banana. Yea smeared banana. Sometimes I'm scared of my kids. 209 00:12:50,280 --> 00:12:52,080 Speaker 1: I feel like they're the parent and I'm the kid. 210 00:12:52,280 --> 00:12:56,320 Speaker 1: They're scary, I know, but you have to face your fears. 211 00:12:57,480 --> 00:13:00,640 Speaker 1: How do you set limits when toddlers don't have concept 212 00:13:00,720 --> 00:13:06,600 Speaker 1: of time? How? Yeah? So timers are actually helpful because 213 00:13:06,720 --> 00:13:10,400 Speaker 1: time is, you know, a very abstract concept for toddlers, 214 00:13:10,440 --> 00:13:13,520 Speaker 1: even for preschoolers, and a timer can make it more concrete. 215 00:13:13,760 --> 00:13:15,880 Speaker 1: But the important part, of course is the follow through. 216 00:13:16,240 --> 00:13:21,600 Speaker 1: And that's true of absolutely everything in parenting, because if 217 00:13:21,640 --> 00:13:24,880 Speaker 1: you don't follow through, you're just completely screwed. Yeah, that's 218 00:13:24,880 --> 00:13:27,400 Speaker 1: not my strong suit. So when the episode is over 219 00:13:27,760 --> 00:13:33,480 Speaker 1: or the timer rings, that is not the time to negotiate. Okay, 220 00:13:33,520 --> 00:13:37,200 Speaker 1: So if you're going to allow three episodes, allow three upfront, 221 00:13:37,440 --> 00:13:40,679 Speaker 1: you know, instead of negotiating one by one, because nobody 222 00:13:40,720 --> 00:13:46,120 Speaker 1: out negotiates a toddler or preschool ramma. Right, Yes, So 223 00:13:46,280 --> 00:13:48,800 Speaker 1: you've gotta stand firm, You've gotta stand united, if both 224 00:13:48,800 --> 00:13:52,480 Speaker 1: parents are around. But once you're one more or no 225 00:13:52,640 --> 00:13:57,839 Speaker 1: more turns into dad's okay, one more, two more, it's 226 00:13:57,880 --> 00:14:01,160 Speaker 1: open season. This is makes me mad though, because like 227 00:14:01,160 --> 00:14:04,720 Speaker 1: when we're getting ready for bad, I say, one more episode, okay, Simon. 228 00:14:05,200 --> 00:14:06,880 Speaker 1: They so the episodes O where they're like one more 229 00:14:06,880 --> 00:14:09,400 Speaker 1: episode and I'm like, no more episodes and Simon's like 230 00:14:09,440 --> 00:14:12,120 Speaker 1: one more episode. I'm like, are you kidding me? That's 231 00:14:12,160 --> 00:14:15,080 Speaker 1: where I really get piste off at him. Right, It's 232 00:14:15,200 --> 00:14:18,520 Speaker 1: super important for everybody to be on the same page 233 00:14:18,520 --> 00:14:21,040 Speaker 1: with this. Okay. I know you're not supposed to use 234 00:14:21,080 --> 00:14:24,200 Speaker 1: screen time as a babysitter, but of course I do. 235 00:14:24,520 --> 00:14:27,400 Speaker 1: So what's the point otherwise, if I'm gonna sit down 236 00:14:27,440 --> 00:14:29,400 Speaker 1: and play with the boys, I'll sit down and play 237 00:14:29,400 --> 00:14:31,280 Speaker 1: with them. If I have to get other stuff done, 238 00:14:31,360 --> 00:14:33,280 Speaker 1: I'll put them in front of the TV or you know, 239 00:14:33,360 --> 00:14:36,880 Speaker 1: let them have iPad time. So about that. The a 240 00:14:37,080 --> 00:14:40,360 Speaker 1: P does recommend that screen time for little ones is 241 00:14:40,480 --> 00:14:43,720 Speaker 1: interactive time. You know when you can and you do 242 00:14:43,800 --> 00:14:47,520 Speaker 1: this when you can. Also parents watch alongside their kids 243 00:14:47,560 --> 00:14:50,160 Speaker 1: and they can chime in, and they can ask questions, 244 00:14:50,280 --> 00:14:54,680 Speaker 1: they can point out characters, they can add context comment 245 00:14:54,760 --> 00:14:58,240 Speaker 1: on stories. You talked about morals of stories, and most 246 00:14:58,280 --> 00:15:02,080 Speaker 1: good shows have more all any kind of life, lesson sharing, 247 00:15:02,720 --> 00:15:06,680 Speaker 1: being kind, listening to teachers or parents, stuff like that, 248 00:15:07,200 --> 00:15:09,800 Speaker 1: taking turns and all of that sounds great at first 249 00:15:09,960 --> 00:15:12,280 Speaker 1: until you realize that the reason you turned on the 250 00:15:12,320 --> 00:15:14,880 Speaker 1: TV or the iPad or the iPhone in the first 251 00:15:14,880 --> 00:15:17,400 Speaker 1: place was to free yourself up to do other things. 252 00:15:17,880 --> 00:15:21,080 Speaker 1: And once you make like you said, TV time together time, 253 00:15:21,560 --> 00:15:23,640 Speaker 1: there goes the time you were planning to spend on 254 00:15:23,680 --> 00:15:28,440 Speaker 1: getting stuff drawne So, whether it's work, and especially if 255 00:15:28,440 --> 00:15:33,640 Speaker 1: you're working at home, laundry, social media, ordering groceries, or 256 00:15:33,680 --> 00:15:35,800 Speaker 1: the other thousand fill in the blank things that you 257 00:15:35,840 --> 00:15:39,240 Speaker 1: have to get done, which means realistically you will use 258 00:15:39,280 --> 00:15:41,720 Speaker 1: screen time as a babysitter at least some of the time. 259 00:15:41,800 --> 00:15:45,560 Speaker 1: And even when you do, you can still swoop in 260 00:15:45,600 --> 00:15:49,280 Speaker 1: every few minutes and engage and interact before your toddler 261 00:15:49,360 --> 00:15:53,360 Speaker 1: slips into that screen time trance that's really hard to break, 262 00:15:54,120 --> 00:15:57,000 Speaker 1: and that's value added to whatever he's hearing or seeing 263 00:15:57,040 --> 00:16:01,880 Speaker 1: and actually puts the educational into educational programming. But what 264 00:16:01,960 --> 00:16:05,120 Speaker 1: if it's too late and your toddler is already a 265 00:16:05,160 --> 00:16:09,480 Speaker 1: screen addict okay, and it's like so stubborn about it 266 00:16:09,840 --> 00:16:13,200 Speaker 1: like Sebby, and hasn't melt on every time we even 267 00:16:13,240 --> 00:16:15,160 Speaker 1: if we grab the remote to turn off the TV. 268 00:16:16,600 --> 00:16:20,040 Speaker 1: That doesn't sound like Sebby at all. I'm so confirmed here. 269 00:16:20,520 --> 00:16:23,120 Speaker 1: It's never too late. It's never too late. Listen. There's 270 00:16:23,240 --> 00:16:27,600 Speaker 1: a lot for talks to love about TV and videos. 271 00:16:27,800 --> 00:16:31,520 Speaker 1: They're big fans of anything bright and shiny, especially bright 272 00:16:31,560 --> 00:16:33,760 Speaker 1: and shiny things that move and make noise, and it's 273 00:16:33,760 --> 00:16:36,800 Speaker 1: super easy for them to get sucked into that video 274 00:16:36,880 --> 00:16:40,080 Speaker 1: vortex and go all you know, zoned out zombie in 275 00:16:40,120 --> 00:16:43,200 Speaker 1: front of the screen, and it's hard going right back 276 00:16:43,360 --> 00:16:48,120 Speaker 1: to that dark screen and the dark reality that TV 277 00:16:48,360 --> 00:16:52,040 Speaker 1: time is over and it's all of a sudden, really 278 00:16:52,200 --> 00:16:56,040 Speaker 1: rude awakening, and that's what he's experiencing. And also watching 279 00:16:56,160 --> 00:16:59,080 Speaker 1: TV and playing games on the iPad. It's so much 280 00:16:59,200 --> 00:17:04,359 Speaker 1: easier for um then, you know, playing from scratch, having 281 00:17:04,359 --> 00:17:07,919 Speaker 1: to use their imaginations, and especially for someone Seppi's age, 282 00:17:08,600 --> 00:17:12,360 Speaker 1: his attention span is so fleeting and playing by himself 283 00:17:12,440 --> 00:17:14,480 Speaker 1: is not as much fun, and plus he has a 284 00:17:14,560 --> 00:17:18,520 Speaker 1: serious jones for attention, so it's definitely easy to grow 285 00:17:18,800 --> 00:17:22,439 Speaker 1: a couch potato or two couch potatoes. But even Sepi, 286 00:17:22,600 --> 00:17:26,879 Speaker 1: even sepy tantrum throwing two year old Seby, he is 287 00:17:26,920 --> 00:17:31,320 Speaker 1: still relatively mashed potatoes in your hands. He really is. 288 00:17:31,359 --> 00:17:36,120 Speaker 1: So you can reshape mold his TV watching habits more 289 00:17:36,160 --> 00:17:37,960 Speaker 1: easily now than you're ever going to be able to 290 00:17:38,040 --> 00:17:41,440 Speaker 1: in the future once he starts growing some of those 291 00:17:41,440 --> 00:17:45,520 Speaker 1: couch potato roots on the sofa. And even Lennox, you know, Lennox, 292 00:17:45,600 --> 00:17:48,880 Speaker 1: you can you can reshape his Also, he's not that bad. 293 00:17:48,960 --> 00:17:52,080 Speaker 1: Lennox isn't that bad, Like Lennox, Like this morning, was 294 00:17:52,160 --> 00:17:55,240 Speaker 1: dressed up as a knight in shining armor, and he 295 00:17:55,359 --> 00:17:57,199 Speaker 1: put a basket on my head and told me I 296 00:17:57,240 --> 00:17:59,960 Speaker 1: was a princess or the queen, So like I gotta cut. 297 00:18:00,000 --> 00:18:01,920 Speaker 1: I saw some slap. They're not that bad. I think 298 00:18:01,920 --> 00:18:04,240 Speaker 1: it could be worse. Yeah, but that's the thing when 299 00:18:04,280 --> 00:18:07,600 Speaker 1: you when you turn on the TV, there goes the imagination. 300 00:18:07,720 --> 00:18:10,800 Speaker 1: So if it's off, he has a chance to actually 301 00:18:10,800 --> 00:18:13,440 Speaker 1: tap into it. And with SEV two, I mean he's 302 00:18:13,480 --> 00:18:17,560 Speaker 1: always playing imaginary games with Sevy as well. So the 303 00:18:17,600 --> 00:18:20,520 Speaker 1: TV doesn't inspire Lennox though, He'll be like watching something 304 00:18:20,800 --> 00:18:22,919 Speaker 1: he'll stop watching, he'll turn it off and just like 305 00:18:23,040 --> 00:18:26,680 Speaker 1: copy that. So he does use his imagination during screen 306 00:18:26,680 --> 00:18:29,639 Speaker 1: time sometimes that that's probably just my child. He's just 307 00:18:29,760 --> 00:18:32,879 Speaker 1: very imaginative. No, I mean, it's all about limits, and 308 00:18:32,920 --> 00:18:34,920 Speaker 1: if you set the limits, then they'll find something else 309 00:18:34,960 --> 00:18:37,800 Speaker 1: to do. And I know it's hard, but I promise 310 00:18:37,880 --> 00:18:42,159 Speaker 1: it'll work. Okay. Transition is always so hard when we 311 00:18:42,240 --> 00:18:46,400 Speaker 1: say no more, and there's always an argument, so what 312 00:18:46,440 --> 00:18:49,040 Speaker 1: do we do with this? All toddlers, to a certain extent, 313 00:18:49,119 --> 00:18:52,520 Speaker 1: are bad at transition. They have trouble going from A 314 00:18:52,680 --> 00:18:55,760 Speaker 1: to B. So if A is well when it used 315 00:18:55,760 --> 00:18:58,200 Speaker 1: to be the playground and then be his home, they 316 00:18:58,240 --> 00:19:02,240 Speaker 1: have trouble making that transition. That's or transitional objects come from. 317 00:19:02,280 --> 00:19:04,480 Speaker 1: But there's always going to be an argument. I don't 318 00:19:04,560 --> 00:19:07,800 Speaker 1: know many kids who wouldn't lobby for more TV if 319 00:19:07,840 --> 00:19:10,920 Speaker 1: they if they had a choice of extra screen time, 320 00:19:10,960 --> 00:19:14,040 Speaker 1: they're going to choose it because it's fine, it's relaxing, 321 00:19:14,119 --> 00:19:17,520 Speaker 1: it's easy for everyone involved. It takes no effort on 322 00:19:17,600 --> 00:19:20,760 Speaker 1: either side, and the screen does all the work. And 323 00:19:20,920 --> 00:19:23,440 Speaker 1: so you plant those little butts and you buy yourself 324 00:19:23,480 --> 00:19:26,760 Speaker 1: some peace and quiet. It helps to have a distraction 325 00:19:26,840 --> 00:19:30,880 Speaker 1: so I talked about transitional objects or when I used 326 00:19:30,920 --> 00:19:33,320 Speaker 1: to have to pry you away from the playground to 327 00:19:33,320 --> 00:19:35,000 Speaker 1: go to the house, or from the house to go 328 00:19:35,040 --> 00:19:38,720 Speaker 1: to the playground, it helped to distract you, to create 329 00:19:38,760 --> 00:19:41,840 Speaker 1: a diversion. And the same thing when you're turning off 330 00:19:41,880 --> 00:19:44,560 Speaker 1: the TV. If you have an activity set up so 331 00:19:44,600 --> 00:19:46,480 Speaker 1: that they don't have to be left to their own 332 00:19:46,520 --> 00:19:50,440 Speaker 1: devices completely after they come down from those electronic devices, 333 00:19:51,040 --> 00:19:52,600 Speaker 1: and of course that means you have to turn on 334 00:19:52,640 --> 00:19:57,040 Speaker 1: the attention. You have to hopefully at least engage periodically 335 00:19:57,320 --> 00:19:59,840 Speaker 1: in whatever activity they've been set up was so that 336 00:20:00,040 --> 00:20:02,840 Speaker 1: you have a chance of them keeping going on it. 337 00:20:03,520 --> 00:20:06,399 Speaker 1: But there's also you can involve them in whatever you 338 00:20:06,480 --> 00:20:09,280 Speaker 1: have to do. So if you have to clean, I 339 00:20:09,320 --> 00:20:11,320 Speaker 1: know Sebby likes to clean at least a little bit, 340 00:20:11,400 --> 00:20:13,760 Speaker 1: you can give them each a bottle as you know, 341 00:20:13,840 --> 00:20:17,360 Speaker 1: spray bottle of water and some rags and and challenge 342 00:20:17,400 --> 00:20:21,639 Speaker 1: them to a team clean competition. Right, have you done that? No? 343 00:20:21,760 --> 00:20:24,919 Speaker 1: But Sebby will do anything Lennox is doing. And also Sebby. 344 00:20:24,960 --> 00:20:27,879 Speaker 1: When Sebby cleans, he makes a mess. You're just making 345 00:20:27,880 --> 00:20:31,440 Speaker 1: this harder for me. Okay, scratch that, but you don't 346 00:20:31,440 --> 00:20:33,840 Speaker 1: want to be a cave mom. If you give into 347 00:20:33,880 --> 00:20:37,000 Speaker 1: the argument, you've already said no more TV, you're gonna 348 00:20:37,000 --> 00:20:40,080 Speaker 1: get a meltdown every time, right with a lot of toddlers. 349 00:20:40,119 --> 00:20:42,280 Speaker 1: If you just you know, you turn off the TV, 350 00:20:42,960 --> 00:20:46,160 Speaker 1: you suggest a different activity. But if that doesn't work 351 00:20:46,200 --> 00:20:48,960 Speaker 1: and he's having a full on tantrum, you can just 352 00:20:49,040 --> 00:20:51,880 Speaker 1: ignore it and calmly go about your business, because that's 353 00:20:52,440 --> 00:20:54,800 Speaker 1: one of the best ways to deal with tantrums anyway. 354 00:20:54,960 --> 00:20:57,920 Speaker 1: Or you can try a hug and a little chat 355 00:20:58,320 --> 00:21:02,359 Speaker 1: about limits. Maybe not with Sebby, but Lennox. That works 356 00:21:02,359 --> 00:21:04,960 Speaker 1: well Seby. When Sebby sometimes has a meltdown though, like 357 00:21:05,000 --> 00:21:07,600 Speaker 1: he crows on my leg, it's a lot. Yeah, yeah, 358 00:21:07,680 --> 00:21:10,440 Speaker 1: but that's when you know, sometimes a big hug will 359 00:21:10,480 --> 00:21:12,840 Speaker 1: calm them down and then you move sometimes and then 360 00:21:12,880 --> 00:21:16,320 Speaker 1: you move on. Okay, So you always tell me not 361 00:21:16,560 --> 00:21:19,359 Speaker 1: to keep the TV on in the background even if 362 00:21:19,400 --> 00:21:22,160 Speaker 1: the kids aren't listening, And I know that you do 363 00:21:22,200 --> 00:21:25,439 Speaker 1: that at your house when we come over, but what 364 00:21:25,520 --> 00:21:28,040 Speaker 1: about when their babies, Like can you have the TV 365 00:21:28,160 --> 00:21:31,800 Speaker 1: on in the background. You have heard this from maybe 366 00:21:31,920 --> 00:21:35,960 Speaker 1: Pore maybe a few times. I would point out that 367 00:21:36,080 --> 00:21:38,680 Speaker 1: it's better when possible to keep the TV off when 368 00:21:38,680 --> 00:21:42,080 Speaker 1: the kids aren't actively watching, because even a baby, they 369 00:21:42,160 --> 00:21:45,280 Speaker 1: might seem to care less about the TV when it's on, 370 00:21:45,400 --> 00:21:48,160 Speaker 1: and I think they're not paying attention, but the research 371 00:21:48,160 --> 00:21:52,120 Speaker 1: shows they actually will shift their gaze to a screen 372 00:21:52,160 --> 00:21:55,240 Speaker 1: in the room three times per minute, and that's a 373 00:21:55,280 --> 00:21:58,119 Speaker 1: lot that's going to distract a baby from doing things 374 00:21:58,119 --> 00:22:02,040 Speaker 1: that she needs to be here and seeing. And also 375 00:22:02,119 --> 00:22:04,840 Speaker 1: the background visual and the background noise from a TV 376 00:22:05,119 --> 00:22:08,320 Speaker 1: that's always on, it kind of becomes something that kids 377 00:22:08,359 --> 00:22:12,040 Speaker 1: and an adult become used to. They even need it 378 00:22:12,160 --> 00:22:14,560 Speaker 1: as kind of the background to their lives, and that's 379 00:22:14,560 --> 00:22:17,480 Speaker 1: why it's probably a better idea to keep it off. 380 00:22:17,560 --> 00:22:22,720 Speaker 1: And also, let's face this too. Adult programming is for adults, 381 00:22:22,760 --> 00:22:25,560 Speaker 1: and if you're watching something adult, it's not for kids. 382 00:22:25,640 --> 00:22:28,000 Speaker 1: And Emma, you've also learned this the hard way that 383 00:22:28,359 --> 00:22:32,320 Speaker 1: kids here and understand way more than we usually give 384 00:22:32,359 --> 00:22:35,800 Speaker 1: them credit for, and that includes things and words that 385 00:22:35,800 --> 00:22:38,159 Speaker 1: they're better off not knowing at a tender age. And 386 00:22:38,200 --> 00:22:40,960 Speaker 1: you always say they're not they're not paying attention, but 387 00:22:41,040 --> 00:22:43,200 Speaker 1: they are. Oh yes they are, Oh yes they are. 388 00:22:43,240 --> 00:22:46,720 Speaker 1: They So get all up, So do screen time and 389 00:22:46,840 --> 00:22:51,040 Speaker 1: meal time mix. Okay, so I know the concept has 390 00:22:51,080 --> 00:22:54,440 Speaker 1: been around for a long time, actually going way way back. 391 00:22:55,040 --> 00:22:58,200 Speaker 1: That's why TV dinners were invented to eat in front 392 00:22:58,240 --> 00:23:00,199 Speaker 1: of the TV. They had little tables that you in 393 00:23:00,200 --> 00:23:02,159 Speaker 1: front of the TV, and it was exactly it was. 394 00:23:02,440 --> 00:23:04,040 Speaker 1: It was a big thing at the time. Of course, 395 00:23:04,080 --> 00:23:07,000 Speaker 1: my mother didn't let me watch TV, never mind eat 396 00:23:07,040 --> 00:23:10,479 Speaker 1: in front of TV. And let's not even get started 397 00:23:10,480 --> 00:23:13,040 Speaker 1: on her thoughts about processed food. So I grew up 398 00:23:13,080 --> 00:23:15,840 Speaker 1: without ever eating a single meal in front of a TV. 399 00:23:16,640 --> 00:23:19,000 Speaker 1: And yeah, at the time, I felt like I was 400 00:23:19,119 --> 00:23:21,399 Speaker 1: left out because all my friends had TV dinners and 401 00:23:21,640 --> 00:23:24,399 Speaker 1: in front of the TV. But in retrospect, if you 402 00:23:24,440 --> 00:23:26,880 Speaker 1: think about it, she had a really good point. She did. 403 00:23:27,119 --> 00:23:29,800 Speaker 1: Eating is supposed to be about getting nourishment, and let's 404 00:23:29,800 --> 00:23:32,640 Speaker 1: face it, it's not exactly something that frozen dinners are 405 00:23:32,680 --> 00:23:36,560 Speaker 1: known for. But it's also supposed to be a social activity. 406 00:23:36,600 --> 00:23:39,639 Speaker 1: It's supposed to be family time. It's time to talk 407 00:23:39,800 --> 00:23:42,719 Speaker 1: and share about your day, and that's not easy with 408 00:23:42,760 --> 00:23:47,159 Speaker 1: the toddler who's not yet fully talking or understanding everything 409 00:23:47,160 --> 00:23:49,560 Speaker 1: that's being talked about. But it's worth it because family 410 00:23:49,840 --> 00:23:54,040 Speaker 1: styled dinners feed the body and the soul. Once you 411 00:23:54,119 --> 00:23:57,280 Speaker 1: turn on the TV, you turn off that social engagement 412 00:23:57,480 --> 00:24:00,159 Speaker 1: that was supposed to be built into meal times. And 413 00:24:00,680 --> 00:24:02,879 Speaker 1: when you're eating in front of the TV, it's really 414 00:24:02,920 --> 00:24:06,560 Speaker 1: easy for eating to become mindless. And even for little ones, 415 00:24:06,600 --> 00:24:09,800 Speaker 1: mindless eating can lead to over eating and eventually to overweight. 416 00:24:10,520 --> 00:24:13,160 Speaker 1: And the other thing about family dinners for a busy family, 417 00:24:13,240 --> 00:24:16,160 Speaker 1: and every family is busy, that might be the only 418 00:24:16,200 --> 00:24:21,800 Speaker 1: time during the day when everyone's together and attention is undivided. 419 00:24:22,320 --> 00:24:25,119 Speaker 1: And even when you go to a restaurant, there's always 420 00:24:25,160 --> 00:24:28,600 Speaker 1: the temptation to pull out the iPad for the kids 421 00:24:28,760 --> 00:24:31,360 Speaker 1: instead of engaging them in conversation. But I'd rather see 422 00:24:31,400 --> 00:24:35,880 Speaker 1: them bring books and toys or crayons. But here's the thing, 423 00:24:36,480 --> 00:24:40,639 Speaker 1: no devices at dinner means no devices at dinner, and 424 00:24:40,760 --> 00:24:44,919 Speaker 1: it's got to be across the table, right, It's gonna 425 00:24:44,960 --> 00:24:47,960 Speaker 1: be for everyone involved. So you can't have a double 426 00:24:48,000 --> 00:24:51,120 Speaker 1: standard where you know you or Simon pull out your 427 00:24:51,240 --> 00:24:54,760 Speaker 1: iPhone you know it's work or I just gotta check 428 00:24:54,800 --> 00:24:57,480 Speaker 1: something really fast, or I gotta post something or whatever, 429 00:24:57,880 --> 00:25:00,600 Speaker 1: I gotta respond to someone, Because that's fair. It's got 430 00:25:00,600 --> 00:25:03,359 Speaker 1: to be no exceptions for that. Now, in the car, 431 00:25:03,840 --> 00:25:05,520 Speaker 1: a lot of parents use the iPad in the car 432 00:25:05,600 --> 00:25:09,000 Speaker 1: to keep kids distracted, keep them from crying, keep them 433 00:25:09,040 --> 00:25:10,879 Speaker 1: from asking when are we going to be there? But 434 00:25:11,080 --> 00:25:13,800 Speaker 1: we just came home. We went to all as a 435 00:25:13,880 --> 00:25:16,920 Speaker 1: family to the lake and we were driving back and 436 00:25:17,040 --> 00:25:21,000 Speaker 1: I was amazed because Lennox talked the entire time and 437 00:25:21,040 --> 00:25:23,400 Speaker 1: you had a great conversation. Yes it was about video 438 00:25:23,440 --> 00:25:26,680 Speaker 1: and games, but it was a conversation for almost two hours, 439 00:25:26,680 --> 00:25:28,560 Speaker 1: and I thought that was amazing. But you can play 440 00:25:28,600 --> 00:25:31,840 Speaker 1: games like I spy, listen to music, have a sing along, 441 00:25:32,000 --> 00:25:34,479 Speaker 1: so your kids won't let you sing. So that's another story. 442 00:25:34,720 --> 00:25:37,800 Speaker 1: Semi started yelling at me when I sing. I know. 443 00:25:38,119 --> 00:25:42,560 Speaker 1: He said, no, Mommy, no, people are just me. Kids 444 00:25:42,560 --> 00:25:45,679 Speaker 1: are just honest. We listened to our YouTube songs in 445 00:25:45,720 --> 00:25:49,160 Speaker 1: the car instead of watching them, and you play name 446 00:25:49,200 --> 00:25:52,040 Speaker 1: that tune, right, little Lennox. But he does it about 447 00:25:52,080 --> 00:25:54,240 Speaker 1: Mario games, which I have no idea what he's talking about, 448 00:25:54,240 --> 00:25:57,720 Speaker 1: but I just humor him. What should toddlers be watching? 449 00:25:57,720 --> 00:26:00,840 Speaker 1: I mean, doesn't matter if it's TV or an I pad. Yeah, 450 00:26:01,040 --> 00:26:04,520 Speaker 1: I mean they're all considered screen time. So technically, if 451 00:26:04,520 --> 00:26:06,960 Speaker 1: there are allotted one hour, that doesn't mean an hour 452 00:26:07,119 --> 00:26:12,560 Speaker 1: of each Oh it doesn't. So the obvious advantage of 453 00:26:12,560 --> 00:26:14,960 Speaker 1: the TV is that you can't bring it everywhere you go, 454 00:26:15,720 --> 00:26:18,760 Speaker 1: like you can't bring it into the bathtub with you, 455 00:26:18,920 --> 00:26:21,640 Speaker 1: or the market or the restaurant whatever, or to bed 456 00:26:21,800 --> 00:26:24,080 Speaker 1: unless there's a TV in the kid's room, and I 457 00:26:24,119 --> 00:26:27,600 Speaker 1: hope there isn't. So it's it is easier to limit 458 00:26:27,760 --> 00:26:30,560 Speaker 1: a TV compared to the phone that's always within your 459 00:26:30,560 --> 00:26:34,600 Speaker 1: reach or your pocket, your hand. That said, it's really 460 00:26:34,680 --> 00:26:38,200 Speaker 1: more about the content than the device. So for little ones, 461 00:26:38,760 --> 00:26:42,320 Speaker 1: the more interactive the programming the better. So it should 462 00:26:42,320 --> 00:26:50,280 Speaker 1: invite participation and not just random swiping, open ended play, exploration, creativity, 463 00:26:50,640 --> 00:26:54,440 Speaker 1: learning about shapes and concepts and words and then using 464 00:26:54,480 --> 00:26:57,320 Speaker 1: words and later on spelling words. And of course no 465 00:26:57,440 --> 00:27:00,600 Speaker 1: commercials as a plus, because Lennox always asked for everything 466 00:27:00,640 --> 00:27:03,639 Speaker 1: he sees in a commercial. So if you watch age 467 00:27:03,640 --> 00:27:07,120 Speaker 1: appropriate movies or shows that have positive messaging and modeling 468 00:27:07,440 --> 00:27:10,280 Speaker 1: that aren't scary or violent, that's fine too, especially when 469 00:27:10,280 --> 00:27:13,040 Speaker 1: you do it together. And Emma, it's easier for you 470 00:27:13,080 --> 00:27:16,199 Speaker 1: because you like cartoons and Simon likes cartoons. But it 471 00:27:16,240 --> 00:27:18,960 Speaker 1: was always hard for me because I never like cartoons, 472 00:27:18,960 --> 00:27:21,199 Speaker 1: so that was dad territory. You know, we all have 473 00:27:21,240 --> 00:27:23,760 Speaker 1: our limits, right, I like Papa Pig. I can't. I'm 474 00:27:23,800 --> 00:27:28,640 Speaker 1: not gonna lie. I like okay. So can TV ever 475 00:27:28,760 --> 00:27:31,119 Speaker 1: be a good thing for kids? Can they ever learn something? 476 00:27:31,160 --> 00:27:34,680 Speaker 1: I feel like some things are pretty educational more they're 477 00:27:34,840 --> 00:27:38,760 Speaker 1: they're more educational than me. So no, no, that's not 478 00:27:38,800 --> 00:27:41,119 Speaker 1: true at all. That's not true at all. Of course 479 00:27:41,119 --> 00:27:43,280 Speaker 1: they are. They're gonna learn things because they're a little 480 00:27:43,320 --> 00:27:45,800 Speaker 1: sponges and they can soak up pretty much anything they're 481 00:27:45,800 --> 00:27:48,399 Speaker 1: exposed to, and that goes for the good and the bad, 482 00:27:48,840 --> 00:27:51,440 Speaker 1: depending on what they're watching and how often they're watching. 483 00:27:51,840 --> 00:27:54,200 Speaker 1: But I'd compare to fruit snacks, right, if you think 484 00:27:54,200 --> 00:27:56,960 Speaker 1: about it, Even if fruit snacks have vitam and see added, 485 00:27:57,000 --> 00:27:59,879 Speaker 1: they're not supposed to stand in for meal because I treat, 486 00:28:00,240 --> 00:28:02,880 Speaker 1: And the same thing for screen time. So a toddler 487 00:28:03,240 --> 00:28:06,840 Speaker 1: can learn lots from a TV program or from a video. 488 00:28:07,200 --> 00:28:10,360 Speaker 1: You know, animals will never see in their lifetime, probably 489 00:28:10,400 --> 00:28:12,520 Speaker 1: in person. They're not going to see it in their backyards. 490 00:28:12,920 --> 00:28:14,720 Speaker 1: They can go to space, you know, and see the 491 00:28:14,760 --> 00:28:17,320 Speaker 1: stars and the planets. But they can also learn those 492 00:28:17,359 --> 00:28:22,080 Speaker 1: things through books, and books are better brain boosters because 493 00:28:22,119 --> 00:28:25,679 Speaker 1: they require more focus and a kid as to use 494 00:28:25,760 --> 00:28:29,679 Speaker 1: more of his imagination to visualize things, especially if there 495 00:28:29,680 --> 00:28:33,040 Speaker 1: aren't as many pictures. And they're especially educational if they're 496 00:28:33,040 --> 00:28:35,760 Speaker 1: read in the mother tongue by their mother or by 497 00:28:35,800 --> 00:28:38,920 Speaker 1: their fathers. So try to think of screen time, you know, 498 00:28:38,960 --> 00:28:43,400 Speaker 1: as a fun educational supplement, not as a mainstay of 499 00:28:43,600 --> 00:28:46,800 Speaker 1: your little ones learning life. So it's like a treat 500 00:28:46,880 --> 00:28:50,280 Speaker 1: with a little value added, like a fruit snack that 501 00:28:50,920 --> 00:28:54,360 Speaker 1: gives your kid vitamin C, but it's just something that's 502 00:28:54,360 --> 00:28:57,440 Speaker 1: super yummy, and you choose the best that you can. 503 00:28:57,560 --> 00:28:59,479 Speaker 1: So with a fruit snack, you'd go for one that 504 00:28:59,520 --> 00:29:03,360 Speaker 1: has lower sugar and no artificial colors or flavors. And 505 00:29:03,400 --> 00:29:07,560 Speaker 1: when it comes to programming, you choose something educational and interactive. 506 00:29:08,320 --> 00:29:11,080 Speaker 1: You can also boost learning by like what Lennox does, 507 00:29:11,200 --> 00:29:15,920 Speaker 1: by taking something from the episode that they've been watching 508 00:29:16,120 --> 00:29:19,400 Speaker 1: and then applying it to play. So you can encourage 509 00:29:20,280 --> 00:29:23,200 Speaker 1: a toddler to, you know, to be a monkey just 510 00:29:23,240 --> 00:29:25,440 Speaker 1: like the one she saw on TV, or or go 511 00:29:25,520 --> 00:29:28,080 Speaker 1: to the doctor like the Big Red Dog did. Or 512 00:29:28,160 --> 00:29:30,760 Speaker 1: you can make cookies together like the Pig family did. 513 00:29:31,320 --> 00:29:35,080 Speaker 1: I'm not stereotyping because their pigs. I was gonna say, yeah, 514 00:29:35,120 --> 00:29:37,880 Speaker 1: you know, or break out the real crowns after she's 515 00:29:37,880 --> 00:29:40,320 Speaker 1: all done with the virtual crans. But Emma, this is 516 00:29:40,360 --> 00:29:42,600 Speaker 1: what you have to remember. And all the moms and 517 00:29:42,680 --> 00:29:45,680 Speaker 1: dads out there, you are your little one's first and 518 00:29:45,880 --> 00:29:50,560 Speaker 1: most important and best teacher. So if you're looking to 519 00:29:50,720 --> 00:29:53,200 Speaker 1: help your little one learn, you don't have to look 520 00:29:53,240 --> 00:29:56,760 Speaker 1: to educational programs or flash cards or apps. You just 521 00:29:56,880 --> 00:29:59,000 Speaker 1: have to look to yourself. So you're not giving yourself 522 00:29:59,120 --> 00:30:02,920 Speaker 1: enough credit. And that partment okay, and up next, it's 523 00:30:02,960 --> 00:30:21,560 Speaker 1: helped me, Heidi, And now it's time for help me, Heidi. 524 00:30:21,640 --> 00:30:25,440 Speaker 1: We're all answer you're pressing pregnancy and parenting questions, no 525 00:30:25,640 --> 00:30:29,720 Speaker 1: holds barred, no filter allowed, t m I, no such thing. 526 00:30:30,080 --> 00:30:33,800 Speaker 1: We're all moms here or dad's. Chances are if you 527 00:30:33,920 --> 00:30:36,880 Speaker 1: have this question, other parents have it too. You are 528 00:30:37,040 --> 00:30:41,400 Speaker 1: not alone. Motherhood is the ultimate sisterhood, and we're here 529 00:30:41,480 --> 00:30:46,400 Speaker 1: to help the sister out. So, Emma, who needs help today? 530 00:30:46,440 --> 00:30:49,240 Speaker 1: This one hits a little close to home for me. 531 00:30:49,680 --> 00:30:53,680 Speaker 1: I feel this listener. I'm intrigued. This comes from a listener. 532 00:30:53,680 --> 00:30:57,160 Speaker 1: Who says I often feel guilty because I'm always on 533 00:30:57,240 --> 00:31:00,120 Speaker 1: my phone or iPad. Well, I try to limit how 534 00:31:00,200 --> 00:31:02,480 Speaker 1: much I am working well home with my son. I'm 535 00:31:02,480 --> 00:31:07,959 Speaker 1: stressed that I'm teaching him my bad habits. Help. So 536 00:31:08,120 --> 00:31:11,080 Speaker 1: remember what I always say about you're not alone. You 537 00:31:11,280 --> 00:31:15,720 Speaker 1: really really aren't alone. Most moms use their smartphones more 538 00:31:15,760 --> 00:31:18,200 Speaker 1: than they feel that they should, and actually, at what 539 00:31:18,280 --> 00:31:20,760 Speaker 1: to Expect dot Com, we did a survey last year 540 00:31:20,840 --> 00:31:23,600 Speaker 1: of moms with kids under the age of five and 541 00:31:23,680 --> 00:31:27,800 Speaker 1: found that two thirds used a smartphone for two or 542 00:31:27,880 --> 00:31:31,600 Speaker 1: more hours a day, and over a third use it 543 00:31:31,960 --> 00:31:35,080 Speaker 1: three or more hours a day. And that's self reporting, 544 00:31:35,160 --> 00:31:37,479 Speaker 1: so the numbers are probably a lot higher than that. 545 00:31:38,400 --> 00:31:41,560 Speaker 1: And you're also not alone with the guilt. A full 546 00:31:41,760 --> 00:31:44,400 Speaker 1: sixty eight percent of moms felt guilty about their use 547 00:31:44,440 --> 00:31:49,320 Speaker 1: of a smartphone and six wish that they used it less. 548 00:31:49,520 --> 00:31:53,680 Speaker 1: And the top reasons given for guilt no surprise, feeling 549 00:31:53,680 --> 00:31:58,120 Speaker 1: that they were neglecting their little ones or weren't fully 550 00:31:58,160 --> 00:32:00,760 Speaker 1: present for them when they were using the phone or 551 00:32:01,000 --> 00:32:05,120 Speaker 1: teaching bad habits. And it sounds like this mom, You're 552 00:32:05,200 --> 00:32:09,480 Speaker 1: solidly in that mom majority. But instead of loading up 553 00:32:09,640 --> 00:32:13,200 Speaker 1: on remorse and regret every time you pick up your phone, 554 00:32:13,320 --> 00:32:16,719 Speaker 1: or your tablet or your laptop. After all, we're in 555 00:32:16,760 --> 00:32:20,040 Speaker 1: a no guilt zone here. Let's figure out a way 556 00:32:20,080 --> 00:32:23,800 Speaker 1: to find balance between your electronic life and your real 557 00:32:23,840 --> 00:32:26,240 Speaker 1: life at home with your little one, and it can 558 00:32:26,360 --> 00:32:30,000 Speaker 1: be done clearly. Electronic Life is here to say none 559 00:32:30,040 --> 00:32:32,480 Speaker 1: of us are going to move off the grid anytime soon. 560 00:32:32,560 --> 00:32:34,920 Speaker 1: In last week, it casts on a reality show on 561 00:32:35,000 --> 00:32:38,360 Speaker 1: a desert island, and for most of us, virtual life 562 00:32:38,400 --> 00:32:41,000 Speaker 1: will continue to be a reality when it comes to 563 00:32:41,080 --> 00:32:44,040 Speaker 1: work and workouts in school, all on top of an 564 00:32:44,080 --> 00:32:51,520 Speaker 1: already demanding social media life. Emma will tackle working at 565 00:32:51,560 --> 00:32:54,000 Speaker 1: home in another episode of What to Expect. I promise, 566 00:32:54,160 --> 00:32:56,120 Speaker 1: let's just say I've been working at home since the 567 00:32:56,200 --> 00:32:59,520 Speaker 1: day I started writing What to Expect When You're Expecting 568 00:33:00,280 --> 00:33:03,680 Speaker 1: With Emma, you at my breast, literally at my breast, 569 00:33:03,680 --> 00:33:06,160 Speaker 1: because that was the only way to keep you quiet 570 00:33:06,160 --> 00:33:09,680 Speaker 1: while I worked. I discovered then, as many parents are 571 00:33:09,720 --> 00:33:13,000 Speaker 1: discovering now, that working at home isn't exactly the dream 572 00:33:13,120 --> 00:33:15,640 Speaker 1: job that you might have envisioned, except, of course, you 573 00:33:15,640 --> 00:33:17,520 Speaker 1: don't have to commute or change out of this what's 574 00:33:17,560 --> 00:33:19,920 Speaker 1: that you wore last night, or even wash your hair 575 00:33:20,000 --> 00:33:23,000 Speaker 1: unless you have a zoom meeting, So that's a plus. 576 00:33:23,400 --> 00:33:26,800 Speaker 1: When my kids were little, avoiding a smartphone or a 577 00:33:26,800 --> 00:33:30,080 Speaker 1: tablet was really easy because there weren't any There wasn't 578 00:33:30,080 --> 00:33:33,120 Speaker 1: even much of an Internet back then, and socializing was 579 00:33:33,160 --> 00:33:35,920 Speaker 1: still something that you did in person. So for me, 580 00:33:36,160 --> 00:33:39,160 Speaker 1: staying away from the phone and off social media while 581 00:33:39,200 --> 00:33:43,320 Speaker 1: I play with Lennox and Sebastian it's no big deal. Now. 582 00:33:43,360 --> 00:33:45,880 Speaker 1: For Emma and and you and pretty much every other 583 00:33:45,960 --> 00:33:48,520 Speaker 1: mom out there in the parenting trenches right now, it 584 00:33:48,760 --> 00:33:53,959 Speaker 1: is a lot more challenging. Checking notifications and feeds, likes, 585 00:33:54,000 --> 00:33:58,160 Speaker 1: posting stories and photos. It's it's as reflective as breathing, 586 00:33:58,200 --> 00:34:00,880 Speaker 1: and it's nearly as hard to go without. So I 587 00:34:01,000 --> 00:34:04,800 Speaker 1: get it. Your phone is addicting, it's rewarding. It gives 588 00:34:04,840 --> 00:34:08,040 Speaker 1: you a sense of community and connection with other moms 589 00:34:08,480 --> 00:34:10,880 Speaker 1: you know, helps keep you saying, and of course it 590 00:34:10,920 --> 00:34:13,719 Speaker 1: gives you advice when you need it the most. It 591 00:34:13,840 --> 00:34:17,000 Speaker 1: keeps you in the loop, in the know in the moment, 592 00:34:17,480 --> 00:34:19,759 Speaker 1: and when you power off your phone you worry that 593 00:34:19,800 --> 00:34:22,759 Speaker 1: you might be missing something, or think about it this way, 594 00:34:22,800 --> 00:34:25,800 Speaker 1: you might actually notice something that you would have missed 595 00:34:25,880 --> 00:34:28,120 Speaker 1: if you'd been on the phone. And that's kind of 596 00:34:28,160 --> 00:34:31,840 Speaker 1: my point here. Children can't be paused. They can't be paused, 597 00:34:31,880 --> 00:34:34,560 Speaker 1: and childhood can't be paused. And believe me, I've been 598 00:34:34,560 --> 00:34:37,560 Speaker 1: looking for that pause button for a long time, though 599 00:34:37,600 --> 00:34:39,840 Speaker 1: I think I was looking for the fast forward button 600 00:34:39,920 --> 00:34:43,880 Speaker 1: when Emma was a teenager. Fair enough, But you know 601 00:34:43,920 --> 00:34:46,600 Speaker 1: how I always say stop and smell the babies. That's 602 00:34:46,640 --> 00:34:48,839 Speaker 1: for a reason. The fact is that children grow up 603 00:34:48,920 --> 00:34:51,440 Speaker 1: in a blink of an eye, and that's a compelling 604 00:34:51,480 --> 00:34:54,080 Speaker 1: case for keeping your eyes on your kids for as 605 00:34:54,160 --> 00:34:57,480 Speaker 1: many moments of the day as you possibly can. And 606 00:34:57,520 --> 00:35:00,000 Speaker 1: you can't always, of course you can't, and you shouldn't 607 00:35:00,040 --> 00:35:02,839 Speaker 1: have to, and nobody's expecting you to. But just as 608 00:35:02,880 --> 00:35:05,120 Speaker 1: you think about screen time for your little one as 609 00:35:05,200 --> 00:35:08,560 Speaker 1: something you should limit, you can start trying to think 610 00:35:08,680 --> 00:35:12,480 Speaker 1: the same way about your screen time for your sake 611 00:35:12,920 --> 00:35:15,319 Speaker 1: and for his sake, because, after all, little monkeys tend 612 00:35:15,360 --> 00:35:17,560 Speaker 1: to do what they see, and yours is going to 613 00:35:17,680 --> 00:35:22,040 Speaker 1: model his habits after yours as he grows, including that 614 00:35:22,120 --> 00:35:27,280 Speaker 1: screen habit. For me, compartmentalizing real life and electronic life 615 00:35:27,920 --> 00:35:30,560 Speaker 1: just works better than trying to mix them together. And 616 00:35:30,600 --> 00:35:33,600 Speaker 1: of course that's easy for me to say because I'm 617 00:35:33,640 --> 00:35:36,680 Speaker 1: not with kids seven anymore. I just see them on 618 00:35:36,760 --> 00:35:40,400 Speaker 1: weekends unfortunately. And for you, it might be easier to 619 00:35:40,400 --> 00:35:42,640 Speaker 1: put limits on your screen time. And maybe you'll choose 620 00:35:42,640 --> 00:35:44,759 Speaker 1: to do your screen time while your little one is 621 00:35:44,800 --> 00:35:47,080 Speaker 1: doing his screen time, so you can do it side 622 00:35:47,080 --> 00:35:50,640 Speaker 1: by side with lots of opportunities to cuddle and to interact. 623 00:35:51,160 --> 00:35:54,959 Speaker 1: Or maybe you'll wait until he's napping or in bed 624 00:35:55,080 --> 00:35:57,840 Speaker 1: to dig into social or even to catch up on 625 00:35:57,960 --> 00:36:01,480 Speaker 1: messages that you've been ignoring all day. Of course, you're 626 00:36:01,520 --> 00:36:05,480 Speaker 1: going to do some of your parenting while distracted by 627 00:36:05,520 --> 00:36:08,560 Speaker 1: your phone, and maybe you'll continue to do more than 628 00:36:08,600 --> 00:36:11,359 Speaker 1: you'd like. Like you know what I say, Just keep trying, 629 00:36:11,560 --> 00:36:14,600 Speaker 1: keep trying, one day at a time. Challenge yourself to 630 00:36:14,640 --> 00:36:16,560 Speaker 1: put the phone down in a place that you can't 631 00:36:16,600 --> 00:36:19,719 Speaker 1: reach it as many times during the day as you can, 632 00:36:20,239 --> 00:36:23,000 Speaker 1: and go gradually if that's easier than going cold turkey, 633 00:36:23,080 --> 00:36:25,680 Speaker 1: or go cold turkey if that's easier than going gradually. 634 00:36:26,040 --> 00:36:29,200 Speaker 1: But when you're in with your child, try to go 635 00:36:29,280 --> 00:36:33,240 Speaker 1: all in so that means eyes, ears, and yes, even thumbs. 636 00:36:33,800 --> 00:36:38,160 Speaker 1: Your little guy will love that you are present pretty 637 00:36:38,239 --> 00:36:41,840 Speaker 1: much The best present for a little one is your attention, 638 00:36:42,440 --> 00:36:44,799 Speaker 1: but you'll also get something out of it. Kids who 639 00:36:44,840 --> 00:36:48,520 Speaker 1: aren't always having to compete with Facebook for some face 640 00:36:48,600 --> 00:36:52,400 Speaker 1: time with your parents might not feel as compelled to 641 00:36:52,520 --> 00:36:55,799 Speaker 1: scream for attention when they crave it. And who knows, 642 00:36:55,880 --> 00:36:58,200 Speaker 1: he might even become a better listener as he grows 643 00:36:58,320 --> 00:37:01,960 Speaker 1: because he'll be listened to more, and he'll also be 644 00:37:02,080 --> 00:37:05,920 Speaker 1: learning one of life's most important lessons about life in 645 00:37:06,000 --> 00:37:09,640 Speaker 1: the age of social media, face to face interface is 646 00:37:10,040 --> 00:37:14,320 Speaker 1: the best kind of all, hands down, and one more time, 647 00:37:14,440 --> 00:37:18,640 Speaker 1: just because I literally can't say it enough, you are 648 00:37:18,719 --> 00:37:21,799 Speaker 1: not alone, mom. We are all in this together, and 649 00:37:21,880 --> 00:37:31,479 Speaker 1: I really really hope that perspective helps who baby love, 650 00:37:32,160 --> 00:37:37,040 Speaker 1: my baby love. I need you, Oh hell, I need you. 651 00:37:38,719 --> 00:37:42,520 Speaker 1: Thanks for listening. Remember I'm always here for you. What 652 00:37:42,680 --> 00:37:45,560 Speaker 1: to Expect is always here for you. We're all in 653 00:37:45,600 --> 00:37:49,440 Speaker 1: this together. For more on what you heard on today's episode, 654 00:37:49,560 --> 00:37:52,960 Speaker 1: visit what to Expect dot com slash of podcast. You 655 00:37:53,000 --> 00:37:55,560 Speaker 1: can also check out what to Expect when You're Expecting, 656 00:37:55,880 --> 00:37:58,319 Speaker 1: What to Expect the First Year, and the what to 657 00:37:58,440 --> 00:38:02,760 Speaker 1: Expect app. And we want to hear from you. Connect 658 00:38:02,840 --> 00:38:05,719 Speaker 1: with us on our community message board or on our 659 00:38:05,760 --> 00:38:09,440 Speaker 1: social media. You can find me at Heidi Murkoff and 660 00:38:09,560 --> 00:38:13,480 Speaker 1: Emma at Emma Being w t E. And of course 661 00:38:13,880 --> 00:38:18,200 Speaker 1: at What to Expect. Baby Love is performed by Riley Beater. 662 00:38:19,080 --> 00:38:22,080 Speaker 1: What to Expect is a production of I Heart Radio. 663 00:38:22,480 --> 00:38:25,239 Speaker 1: From more shows from I Heart Radio check out the 664 00:38:25,280 --> 00:38:29,640 Speaker 1: I Heart Radio app, Apple podcast, or wherever you listen 665 00:38:29,719 --> 00:38:35,120 Speaker 1: to your favorite shows. In my Arms, what Don't You Stay? 666 00:38:35,520 --> 00:38:42,600 Speaker 1: Knija knieda Baby, Baby