I'd Really Appreciate Your Input

I use to put my son in his bouncy chair/excersauser or bumbo seat in kitchen near me so i could talk to him and watch him while i cooked. Or put him him in other room on floor/or pack and play with toys so he can learn to self entertain while you cook and you can keep eye on him.

At that age my kid was usually entertained to watch me cook dinner or wash dishes...
It is a great age to use something like an exer-saucer (could probably get one second hand), and put him in there while you do chores. The advantage to this over TV is that he can watch you, and you are more like to converse with him. Just give him a running commentary about what you are doing.
You can also give him small manipulation toys to play with while he is in there.
We also had some luck with a doorway - jumper thing - good for gross muscle skills and to keep him safe while you have free hands.

It is not good for you to always stimulate him. He needs to learn to stimulate himself. Put things like mobiles in front of him and let him explore them by himself.

Get one of those bouncey things and let him bounce to his hearts content. Put good music on to stimulate his rhythm and mind.

Go outside and let him learn about winter.

Good for you for trying to eliminate tv from your baby's life. It's definitely the right thing to do for her brain development (tv watching actually changes brain development so that the brain becomes more passive)

Also, if you don't create the tv watching habit, you will be so happy about it when he's older- speaking from experience, my teenage stepdaughter was raised as a tv watcher, and all through her childhood tv was her preferred activity- it was a battle to get the tv turned off, it was always what she would choose over other activities. With our younger two girls, my husband and I have chosen to raise them without tv. We put our tv in the basement, and as a consequence, we rarely watch it. Out of sight really seems to mean out of mind. Our 4 year-old NEVER requests to watch tv. In fact, when she;s sick, I practically have to force her to lay on the couch and watch a DVD. Once we got out of the tv habit, it was easy- now I can't imagine having tv in our lives, we are so busy playing, baking, drawing, reading, etc. that we wouldn't even have time for tv!

That said, I can totally relate to what you're going through right now. I was home alone with my first daughter too, and your son is right at the age when the days seem SOOOOOO long. Between 6 mos and 12 mos things seem to pick up a little as they start being able to do more things. But at 5 mos, they are still aren't doing a whole lot, you can't even really fill your time with eating yet! But remember, things will change quickly!

But in the meantime, I found it helpful to think of my day in terms of blocks of time and sort of "organize" it that way, (for my own sanity). So for example, between breakfast and the morning nap would be play on the rug time- playing with toys, reading books, tummy time, listening and dancing to music, singing songs, exploring the house (feeling different textures, pointing to things and naming them, "flying" through the house, etc.) Then between morning nap and afternoon nap we would usually get out of the house- go on errands, go to a coffee shop that had toys, grocery shop, library, go to a baby play park, etc. Between afternoon nap and dinner might be outside time- go for a walk or to the park or hang out in the yard.

Have you found activities around your neighborhood yet? Baby story time at the library, play parks at the community centers, etc? (not sure where you live) Do you know any other mom friends that you could get together with? That was a lifesaver for me- just having one or two moms over, spread a blanket on the floor with a bunch of toys, and having some adult conversation was awesome. There's also some great books out there with ideas for baby games, songs, fingerplays, etc.

To get my chores and meals done, I would usually put mine in the bouncy seat so she could watch me. I would talk to her and sing to her while I got dinner ready. Lots of times she was too fussy though, and then I would put her in the Moby wrap or the Ergo and "wear" her while I made dinner (being careful of the stove of course) and there were lots of times when both daughters were too fussy even for that, so I would pull something out of the freezer and microwave it! At every hard stage I just always try to remember that it won't last forever and that I can only do the best I can and no more. But I am constantly happy that we eliminated tv from our lives. Even in the most difficult moments, I am still thankful because now, at 4, my older daughter can create her own imaginary games to entertain herself while I make dinner. She also entertains my 18 mo old too! And when the little one is a bit older, I will have them help me make dinner.

Sorry this is so long!! It sounds like you are doing a fantastic job with your little guy. It can be SO hard, but remember you're not alone. And time passes quickly- he'll be running around before you know it and you won't be able to believe you once wondered how to fill up the day!

I have a baby the same age as yours so I know how tough it can be to entertain them at this age. My son is a big fan of physical play so I try to do lots of exercising with him. We both get a good work out and have lots of fun doing it. Feel free to invent your own moves, but here are a few of our favorites:
Hold your baby while you do squats and lunges and say "WHEE!"
Lift or throw him gently in the air for a great shoulder workout and lots of giggling.
Lie on your back and press him up in the air to work your chest muscles and give him an airplane ride. Watch out for drool!
Then there's the classic "peekaboo" situp, where you lie on the floor and hold him up in a standing position between your knees while you do situps and say something silly everytime you bring your face to his.
Keep your heartrate up with lots of dancing between exercies and you'll lose that baby weight in no time, all while stimulating and playing with your sweet little guy.

Here is a sure fire winner....block off a section of your kitchen, strip kid down to the diaper, give kid a big container of warm water and some misc. measuring cups and untensils! Works like a charm and is very stimulating...just think cool things that stack and pour:)

When its over mop up! Easy!

My advice? Remember 2 things...
1... he's 5 months old. His attention span is all of about 2 seconds. You could repeat the same 3 things over and over again and he would never get bored with it. You might... but he won't! He doesn't require much entertainment at this point. Constantly being in front of him to play with him, etc. will only teach him not to find ways to entertain himself. Baby's are amazing... they are in aw over their own feet and hands! Enjoy this stage and let him explore on his own from time to time.
2... stimulation doesn't equal major activity. Simply laying him on the floor and playing music will stimulate his brain. Put him in a bouncer on the counter while you fix dinner and make a face at him when you walk by. I used to face my son towards a brightly patterned blanket hung on the wall... and sing a line from a song or a nursery rhyme to him every few minutes... he was happy. He sit and "talk" to the blanket forever and I loved seeing his reaction when he heard me... he would stop what he was doing and listen and then start kicking his feet in excitement... he knew mom's voice! This is all brain stimulation.
He's not going to graduate highschool at 5 years old... and he's not going to flunk highschool because he didn't know how to interact at 6 months!!!

I absolutely promise that you have not reduced your babies intelligence one bit. It is true that tv is not so hot for little ones -- but a tiny amount ----as you describe-- will NEVER hurt him. So here are some suggestions. The biggest thing is -- build a ''schedule'' into your day that gives him lots of different expereiences -- and gives you some breaks -- you have to have them.
Here's a rough idea of a schedule I might make --change it to work with your likes and dislikes.

When he wakes - feed, bathe- dress him and put him either in a bouncy chair or a circular standing toy ( you know? -- back 40 years ago we used walkers - but now we know that's not so great - so there are circular ''chairs'' that baby sit/stands in and turns himself around to see the different toys that are part of it. You can pull this stander/toy around to the different areas you want to be --- Maybe put him on a towell for some tummy time with you lying in front of him - to talk to him ---So now it's one or two hours after he woke up---you need a break --- so if he naps in the morning-- - there you go --

By 10 in the morning - you could either take him for a walk outside ( even when it's rainy - babies like new things to see) or put on some music that you like and ''dance '' around with him--he won't care if you are a fabulous dancer or have two left feet -- you can do mini exersizes with him in your arms and he will L. the motion.

11am ? -- put him back in the stander/toy and put IT in front of a mirror -- babies L. to see themselves - and you can use this time for a tiny break-- and then fix lunch for yourself -- feed him-- put him down for a nap-

2pm -- he's up--- put on a tape or the radio and let him listen to music or conversation - while you start any dinner prep.

3 - another outside break -- when my grandson ( now 10) was a baby we lived in an apt that had a tiny ''patio'' --about 4 feet by 12 feet -- I called it '''Brians' back yard''' - and he loved to be carried out there to look outside and have things pointed out to him.
4 -- aft. nap -- finish dinner prep
5 - more tummy time
6 - dinner - with him in his stander/toy or in a few weeks he may sit at the table in a high chair -- with some cheerios to bat at -
7 - bath and bed for baby -
Basically- he wants to be with you- he wants you to talk with him and handle him- he won't care if you read him the stock exchange- he will L. that you are reading to HIM=-

Blessings - honey- it's a tough job- and a wonderful one-
Grandma J.- ( retired special ed teacher - mother of 3 - grandmother of 3 and counting)

if you can get out during the day - you should! He will learn a lot from going to the grocery store and running errands, especially if you talk to him while you are out doing things that you have to do! you can also make simple toys with things that you have at home - he can learn to put things (i.e. clothes pins) into a container...not exciting to you, but stimulating to him...also, just let him sit on the floor while you are cooking - he can play with some tupperware and wooden spoons - crawl around and explore...

Thank you for being forward thinking. I am a teacher, and I can tell you I see the difference with kids who grow up with a TV on all the time vs. kids that have no TVs in their houses. The kids who watch TV 24/365 don't really know how to come up with their own stories, or art. They have been fed so much entertainment that they have a difficult time with being creative. If you go to www.k12.wa.us there is a report that ties health risks to grades, and one of the health risks includes watching TV more than 3 hours per week. Granted, this is for older kids, but I think it relates. Also, I have read a report that I can send to you in which France has banned children younger than 2 to watch TV. It has to do with their brain development, and how the pixels/lights effect the synapses in the brain. I have a copy of this report that I send to people, which was from Mothering magazine. Anyhow, I would say, please please please READ READ READ to your child. Make reading fun by using puppets and stuffed animals or dressing up like characters. At age 5 1/2 months, he shouldn't have to be "entertained" that much, so I would just say that daydreaming is alright too...get a bird feeder and watch the birds, and learn how to identify them. Also, go on nature walks, collecting everything. He isn't old enough to walk yet I imagine, but this will be a great thing to do when he begins walking. I would say you shouldn't worry about him being "bored"...the world is a whole new place, and even him watching you cook is a new experience. Enjoy!

Hi Alice,

I remember being in your shoes...Being alone with a little one that age can be tough. Know that you grow bored with your repertoire of Mommy-Baby activities faster than he does. And remember...You need time every to do something independently, even if it's just cooking dinner or even if it's just for a few minutes. And he needs time to learn to play on him own. You don't HAVE to interact with him every minutes of every day. And any playing is helping his brain to develop.

To let him play on his own:

Put his bouncy chair in front of a mirror. Seeing his own reflection will be a great source of entertainment to him at that age.

If he's happy to sit/roll on the floor, give him different objects to explore and taste, such as wooden spoons, spatulas, whisks, Tupperware, etc. in the kitchen.

If you like hearing adult voices during the day and want to avoid TV, use music as a soundtrack to your activities. He'll L. songs with kids' voices, but listen to whatever you L.. He'll like it, too, especially if you sing along and dance around where he can hear/see you.

Open and Closed/Out and In. We did this a lot at about 9-10 months, once my daughter had started pulling up on things. Make one drawer in the kitchen or bathroom cabinet HIS drawer. (Put locks on the others!) Fill the drawer with safe things that will interest him, but not toys he usually plays with. Let him open and close the drawer. Let him take things out and inspect them. Teach him to put them back in. We did this in the bathroom while I dried my hair, brushed teeth, etc. Just be careful of pinched fingers.

When you're interacting with him:

Read. Read. Read. Read. Library cards are free. The libraries usually have selections of board books that are pretty indestructible, have bright pictures and short text. Check some out, especially ones with pictures of babies and animals. Read the words or just talk to him about the pictures. Let him handle the books and turn the pages. His language skills are developing even before he speaks.

Sing with him. At this age, I sat my daughter on my lap facing me and sang all kinds of children's songs. I held her hands and did the motions for songs that had them ("Itsy-Bitsy Spider" "I'm a Little Teapot" "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes" "If You're Happy and You Know It" "The Hokey Pokey"). Or try ones with silly sounds ("Old MacDonald"), counting ("This Old Man" "The Ants Go Marching One By One"), etc.

Go to story time. Our library system has a program just for babies. Again, free. The librarian reads a few short books, teaches a LOT of nursery rhymes and uses some songs to engage the kids. It also gives you a chance to meet other mommies.

Start teaching body parts. Count toes. Tickle knees, chin, tummy, etc.

Peek-a-Boo. With you. With toys. With a mirror.

Have fun with your little man!

Well I can tell you I did the same thing and both my kids are at the top of their class. Their brains have developed just fine. I think the key though is limiting his TV time - say no more than 30 mins?

Do you have an exersaucer? Another thing I would do is put my kids in one of those. They were upright so they were happy. I would place it at the edge of the kitchen so they could still see me, but I didn't have to physically entertain them myself. It worked great.

Here is a link to one. You can get them on sale sometimes at Target.

http://www.babyage.com/products/6161919_evenflo_evenflo_e...

I'm so glad to hear a mom say this. There are way too many little ones watching TV as a babysitter. My little guy gets bored alot too being TV free. So we joined the "Swap Shop" in SE. Portland. It's amazing, even for infants. He'll be crawling soon & able to enjoy it more. It's 4 rooms of toys & games, paint, clothing exchange & couches for us tired moms to sit down & even nurse. You bring in a toy & take one from the shop home with you. The monthly fee is a bit high, but we save that much in clothing & toys each month. They also work with those who can't afford it & do trade as well. It's a great community resource, go by & try it out for a day free. http://www.sunnysideswapshop.org/

Some ideas:
-Read books (they will listen to the same ones repetatively, but we go to the library so that M. doesn't get bored. At this age, ryhming books are best)
-floor play - talk to them about what they are holding, what color it is, ect
-play with M.'s "toys" like wooden spoons, spatulas, and plastic bowls on the floor while you are in the kitchen
-go on walks
-fold laundry next to/over top of them - they L. watching all the colors and movement of the fabric

Hope that is helpful!

Ok, so I just read your other responces, and I need to add that pediatricians say the children under the age of 2 should not be exposed to TV AT ALL!!! It changes the way synapes form between the neurons in the brain. I am not telling you this to scare you, but to tell you that the TV in moderation is ok argument only flies for kids over the age of 2 years. To those moms who said these experts don't have child-rearing experience, I will also tell you that I have no nanny to help, my family is on the other side of the country, my husband has been deployed 90% of my daughters life and we don't have a TV. Guess what? I get chores done by INVOLVING my daughter in them at a developmentally appropriate level. You don't need to plug your child in to the TV to get chores done. That is just plain silly. Get creative!! Your children will benefit more from helping you with the laundry than from watching baby einstein!!

Good luck and kudos to you for wanting better for your child!!

Go for walks it helps develop their vision and its good for you as well.

I think it is great that you would like to try something new for your little guy. He is totally not watching the tv and this just creates some bad habits for the future. Taking him with you into the kitchen is great, put him in a bouncy seat, exesaucer, or simply on the floor playing by himself(this is an essential skill for kids to learn). Take to him, sing to him, tell him what you are doing or about doing the same work when you were a child. If you are not sure what what to do with him through out the day consider bundling him up for a walk or heading out to the library for some of the reading/activity classes they have for free. Also the library is a great resource for ideas. Check out some videos or books for some ideas of what to do to stimulate your son. You will both benefit from your interactions together.

Really, at five months he doesn't need any entertainment, you probably do, since you are at home all day, but he doesn't.
The best way to stimulate him is to interact with him as much as you can. Wear him in a sling or carrier as you do chores around the house - tell him (or talk to yourself) what you are doing, while you are doing it.
The is nothing against having the radio or music running, dance with him when a song comes on that you like.

At this age he is probably pretty interested in his baby gym and some first toys (rattles and such). It is ok to give him some tummy or floor time under the gym and let him occupy himself for a while. Floor-time is also better than a seat or swing, because he can move better and practice turning over.

I would strongly suggest finding a mom's group such as PEPS or Listening Mothers to join. Also consider in enrolling in other activities like music classes, postpartum yoga, swimming lessons or just incluse a walk in the park in your routine - again, while this is nice for him, it really is more important for your mental health to get out of the house and connect with other moms (have an adult conversation every now and then!).

if you have a swing or something he could sit it to watch you cook or clean that would be entertaining to him. At 5 1/2 months they don't need much to be entertained. I wouldn't stress too much about the TV, but I wouldn't put him in front of it for entertainment. Just let him roll around on the floor with some toys. As he gets older it's important that he is able to entertain himself so start now.

When my boys where little they just wanted to be able to see me, I did not have to directly entertain them. When I was cleaning I would put them in the exersaucer to they could be up off the floor and see what i was doing, and when I was cooking dinner and the like I would put them in the high chair with some toys or a bitter biscuit.

At this age, kids don't need much. They just need to see you busy folding clothes, doing stuff. They learn by watching what we do.

I remember feeling like I had no idea how to entertain the little one. During the summer, it is easy - take 'em to the park, play with other little ones, etc.

One thing that really stimulates babies is to be around people, so I've found that taking baby to the mall for a walk once or twice a week really works wonders. Especially when she's sick and can't be around other kids. I would not let them watch TV, tho. AT ALL. Not only for the obvious reasons (brain rot, blah blah) but because you are conditioning them to WANT television. Then when it comes time to not let them watch it, they'll wanna watch it instead of play. Just food for thought.

Hope that helps.

Alice, please don't buy into the hype promoted by the media and written by a bunch of people who either don't have children or have never had to struggle with doing household chores while taking care of infants and toddlers (they must have a team of nannies). I agree with not letting any child of any age watch TV in excess, but I know hundreds of children who have been brought up watching TV that are intelligent, articulate, don't suffer ADHD (well, some do but the most common link for that is heredity) and so on. Mentally tell those so called "experts" to "shove it" and follow your gut. If you find your baby is disturbed by the TV then don't let him watch it. If it makes him happy and you happy as well, then go with it. I hope this helps!
L. J., single mom of a wonderful 18 month old boy.

Don't worry! It is hard to constantly entertain! Don't feel you have to though. Your little boy is so new to the world that he is stimulated by just about everything within sight including you:) Don't feel bad if sometimes you just let him be entertained by himself with a few toys or discovering how his body moves, while you do some errands around the house. I am a big believer in down time. I have been a nanny for infants for 10 years and I have a son, really they are in better moods with lots of quiet time!!!!! It makes sense if you think about yourself, don't you get stressed when to much is going on, babies do to. A happy baby is happier to learn all the great things you are teaching. Also I found that my son was very happy and definitely stimulated when I did things with him in a baby sling. I did chores that way when he needed attention but I had to get things done. It was also nice when he got bigger because you can use it as support when you carry him on your hip.
So no worries! Little stimulating moments count more in the long run, really :) Be well!!!

It's not necessary to provide entertainment for your infant. He would L. to be around you and watch you. It is better for him to find his entertainment in what is around him at that age. That's very educational for him. It will simulate his brain too. You can talk and sing to him while you are doing a job or set up a safe area for him to explore an area.

The problem with the TV at that age is that the images there are too fast for theirs brains and this is the thing that is believed can harm development. A little TV won't harm him, just be careful what shows you are putting on. Believe it or not, the news are a better choice than cartoons. There is also a PBS program made for babies with slow images. At that age babies like faces. Show him your families albums or books (biography, presidents, art) with faces. Give him lots of things (concider safety) he can touch and feel, just check around the house and give him whatever as long as it is save. Good luck!

I totally believe that TV in moderation is completely fine and seriously, you do need that outlet for yourself or else you may never get anything done. While under a year is kind of young for them to seriously get into TV, you might try and find alternate ways to entertain your child.
I doubt that at 5 1/2 months, he is really watching it and since little ones this age are very easily entertained, I might suggest other options such as a playmat with toys that dangle from above, or a jumperoo or exersaucer type thing or a bouncey chair. Even a big blanket with lots of toys on it. It will probably be more amusing to him and keep him busy while you do dinner or wash dishes or pick up.
I really think that as long as you choose good programming and limit the amount of time, TV is a very wonderful educational outlet. My daughter has learned so much from the shows she likes to watch.
I really think that people that tell you that TV isn't good either have no kids or they are really talking to those people who let their kids sit in front of it all day long. Doesn't sound like you are doing that, so don't worry too much.

TV in short doses is not going to harm your baby. An easy way that babies can be stimulated is by having toys or a mirror in their crib. At about 6mos they are ready to start entertaining themselves for short times. We had a "busy box" that fastened on the inside of the crib and when my daughter woke up in the morning she would "find" it and play with it so I could sleep in a few more minutes or grab a shower.

The best thing for him is interaction with you and other people. You can do the same songs and games with him multiple times each day. Go for a walk together. Take him grocery shopping and talk about what you're buying and ask his input. He won't give it probably, but it'll help him learn language. Go to library story times. That'll help you learn songs and fingerplays that you can do later and he'll probably enjoy it while there. Join a local mom's group on meetup.com, yahoo.com, bigtent.com. He's just getting to the age where an organized class might be fun for both of you too. They can be expensive, but here's a couple ideas: swim classes, music together, gymboree, kindermusik, my gym, the little gym, msuic and movement, classes through your local community center.

And as for doctors learning to do surgery by playing video games, THAT is bull. Today's doctor's didn't have video games like now. They were either on a keyboard or with a control stick. Even the ones just graduating now would have barely had the first generation of handheld controllers as teenagers.

Alice,

This is just my own opinion so take it how you like. TV for young kids, ***in moderation***, I don't see a huge problem with; as long as it's age appropriate. My son at that age loved the colors and critters and all that in the Baby Einstein DVD's. He'll get plenty of education in school. I wasn't, and am still not, a big stickler for stuffing educational everything into my kids' heads just as soon as I can. They're little for such a short time. **Let** them be little.

Hope this helps,
Melissa

Another thought: Enroll him in Water Tots at your local YMCA. Registration is open now and the class won't start till the week of Jan 4th. It's a 30 minute class, and your little one gets to splash around with kiddo's his own age. Having taught the class for nearly a year it's very much about bonding time with you baby. If you're a facility member (member of the Y) the class is $44 for 8 weeks. If you're not a facility member it's $77 for 8 weeks. There are scholarships available if you're low income; up to 70%.

I have a 5 month old and he is 4. He has watched exactly no TV and I am never worried about things to do with him, he is just part of my day. I wear him most of the day so he is a part of all of my household duties, schooling his siblings ( they have at home instruction) and my work day ( I take him to work with me) I think wearing a child and talking with them through the day is plenty of stimulation. I also make sure he gets some "tummy time" everyday so that he will be a crawler. I play games with him while I change his diaper and when I am putting him in his car seat for when we go on a ride in the car.

He has a few simple things I let him play with, spoons, a mega blocks ( just to hold onto) a simple raddle, baby keys, and so on. He also really enjoys feeling different textures, so I will let him touch different fabrics and pet our pets which makes him very very happy.

I use Pandora.com to play music for us while we are at home and at the office and have created a classical chanel for him since he likes it and that is supposed to be good for brain development.

Besides that I don't get worried, I just don't have time to worry about it. I do not however ever leave him just sitting alone ever, he is always always sitting on some ones lap, in a sling or in someone's arms, the only 2 exceptions are when I am showering and dressing ( and then he is right with in arms reach and I am talking to him) and when we are driving and no one is in the back seat with him.

Hope this gives you some ideas.....I think most importantly involve him with what you are doing, explain what you are doing and talk to him. When I have him with me while I prep dinner I tell him " ok, M. is making________, I am cutting up___________ and then we are going to _________ and it will be__________" you get the idea. I do the same with the work I am doing @ work, I talk to him about it.....

I think that TV being bad is BULL.... it depends what they watch. I found absolutely wonderful videos for babies; made just for infants. Go to:
http://www.brainybaby.com/

They have videos that have been proven to stimulate the babies brain. Example: you know how they say that classical music makes them smarter... well their videos are made to stimulate the baby with classical music. Just take a look and see what you think. I found them to be really helpful and my baby loved watching them. Now they are not your typical video that you will find anywhere else.

You know how they say that you shouldn't let your kids play too much of the playstation or nintendo or xbox.... well, in the hospitals now they have surgeries that they call robotic. What that is, the doctor punches holes thru your sking to stick these little rods in you in which they are standing controling the rods that act as little hands. I heard so many dr's say that if they didn't play these games when they were little and didn't get all this coordination experience from these games that they could not do this type of surgeries. Almost all of them will admit to playing these games when they were young and in college and one dr I talked to said that he is addicted to it now and plays it constantly with his kids at home.
So there you go. If their mothers had listened to; "letting your kids play too much video games are not good for them".... then you would still be cut from one end to the other and wouldn't even have this up to date technology because no one will know how to do the robotics as well as they do.
Don't listen to the public or to the news. Follow your instincts.
I know you will L. brainy babies...... We do.

How about music? My daughter always loved music being on - her kiddy songs and mine. You can also get stories from the library and then play them while you need some down time. I carried her around everywhere is in sling - even when washing dishes, vacuuming, shopping, going for a walk - she just kind of hung there and was fascinated by stuff. I agree with those that say TV isn’t so bad - it’s something kids will need to learn to moderate themselves - because it is such a part of our culture - what we need to do is show them (role model) that there is more than just watching TV in life - and that we can moderate and chose all our entertainment methods without them being a big deal.

A little TV isn't going to stunt the growth of your child or hinder his mental growing process. *hug* He'll be just fine if you were to let him watch a little. Just make sure to continue limiting how much he views and what he views. I'm a single mother of two kids, if I spent all my time avoiding the TV when it came to my kids...I'd go bonkers!

The good thing about him being so young - he probably won't notice the TV - what I did was have a rocking chair - kind of bouncy seat in the kitchen then I would narrate what I was doing while making dinner - it was just like watching TV.

Also entertaining was putting a quilt on the floor and setting up blocks toys, stuffed animals giving an incentive to roll to them or what ever. Add that to a few dozen books read it's a pretty entertaining day.