Comments on: How To Get by Without the Electronic Babysitting Box http://unplugyourkids.com/2007/09/29/how-to-get-by-without-the-electronic-babysitting-box/ Living a TV-free life ... with a few crafts and books thrown in! Wed, 01 Sep 2010 05:13:53 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Mom Unplugged http://unplugyourkids.com/2007/09/29/how-to-get-by-without-the-electronic-babysitting-box/comment-page-1/#comment-6368 Mom Unplugged Fri, 02 Oct 2009 18:06:51 +0000 http://74.52.60.18/~marybun/blog/?p=292#comment-6368 Hi Camille, It is really great to hear from an unplugged kid! I am glad you like the site. It sounds like you would make a great baby sitter. Keep up the good work and thanks so much for your comment! Hi Camille,
It is really great to hear from an unplugged kid! I am glad you like the site. It sounds like you would make a great baby sitter. Keep up the good work and thanks so much for your comment!

]]> By: Camille http://unplugyourkids.com/2007/09/29/how-to-get-by-without-the-electronic-babysitting-box/comment-page-1/#comment-6360 Camille Fri, 02 Oct 2009 08:39:26 +0000 http://74.52.60.18/~marybun/blog/?p=292#comment-6360 Hey! Love this site, even though I am still a kid myself (and unplugged at that! No TV or anything, just a tape player and a computer :) ) it makes me eager to grow up and have a kid of my own so I can use these great ideas. :) Because I am not a mother, I do not have loads of experience with babies, but many of my friends have 6 month-to-4 year old siblings. I have found that my Jacob's Ladder and some Lincoln Logs, as well as a giant stuffed tiger, keep the babies busy enough so my friend and I can hang out and play Scrabble or something. (You would not believe how much they love that tiger!! In fact, I gave it to my friend to keep so her siblings can play with it. And the Jacob's Ladder sure does keep them stumped, plus it is too big to swallow. I am not sure about Lincoln Logs, though they are just the best toy hands-down in my book.) Cheers! Camille Lorraine Hey! Love this site, even though I am still a kid myself (and unplugged at that! No TV or anything, just a tape player and a computer :) ) it makes me eager to grow up and have a kid of my own so I can use these great ideas. :)
Because I am not a mother, I do not have loads of experience with babies, but many of my friends have 6 month-to-4 year old siblings. I have found that my Jacob’s Ladder and some Lincoln Logs, as well as a giant stuffed tiger, keep the babies busy enough so my friend and I can hang out and play Scrabble or something. (You would not believe how much they love that tiger!! In fact, I gave it to my friend to keep so her siblings can play with it. And the Jacob’s Ladder sure does keep them stumped, plus it is too big to swallow. I am not sure about Lincoln Logs, though they are just the best toy hands-down in my book.)

Cheers!
Camille Lorraine

]]> By: Toddler Trick (so I can make dinner) – Find the Frog! | Unplug Your Kids http://unplugyourkids.com/2007/09/29/how-to-get-by-without-the-electronic-babysitting-box/comment-page-1/#comment-5744 Toddler Trick (so I can make dinner) – Find the Frog! | Unplug Your Kids Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:49:43 +0000 http://74.52.60.18/~marybun/blog/?p=292#comment-5744 [...] How to get by Without the Electronic Babysitting Box [...] [...] How to get by Without the Electronic Babysitting Box [...]

]]> By: Unplug Your Kids » Great Resource for Keeping Young Toddlers Busy! http://unplugyourkids.com/2007/09/29/how-to-get-by-without-the-electronic-babysitting-box/comment-page-1/#comment-1653 Unplug Your Kids » Great Resource for Keeping Young Toddlers Busy! Sun, 27 Jan 2008 19:38:58 +0000 http://74.52.60.18/~marybun/blog/?p=292#comment-1653 [...] the end of September I wrote a post entitled How to Get By Without the Electronic Babysitting Box, inspired by the frequent questions I get along the lines of “how do you make supper without [...] [...] the end of September I wrote a post entitled How to Get By Without the Electronic Babysitting Box, inspired by the frequent questions I get along the lines of “how do you make supper without [...]

]]> By: Mom Unplugged http://unplugyourkids.com/2007/09/29/how-to-get-by-without-the-electronic-babysitting-box/comment-page-1/#comment-998 Mom Unplugged Wed, 03 Oct 2007 05:35:00 +0000 http://74.52.60.18/~marybun/blog/?p=292#comment-998 Thanks for all the comments! <br/><br/>Tamara-I don't know how to get in touch with you personally (Blogger does not reveal emails, a definite minus), but your comment made my evening! I am so glad that one of my ideas worked for your kids and that you came back to tell me about it. That makes me feel like I am not completely wasting my time with this blog! Thanks for stopping by! Thanks for all the comments!

Tamara-I don’t know how to get in touch with you personally (Blogger does not reveal emails, a definite minus), but your comment made my evening! I am so glad that one of my ideas worked for your kids and that you came back to tell me about it. That makes me feel like I am not completely wasting my time with this blog! Thanks for stopping by!

]]> By: Tamara http://unplugyourkids.com/2007/09/29/how-to-get-by-without-the-electronic-babysitting-box/comment-page-1/#comment-996 Tamara Wed, 03 Oct 2007 01:17:00 +0000 http://74.52.60.18/~marybun/blog/?p=292#comment-996 Thanks for the tip. I am short on creativity. I pulled out the tray, beans and cups and bowls and my kids had a ball. They are 2 and 4 and still enjoyed it for 45 minutes this morning and 30 minutes this afternoon. Thanks for the tip. I am short on creativity. I pulled out the tray, beans and cups and bowls and my kids had a ball. They are 2 and 4 and still enjoyed it for 45 minutes this morning and 30 minutes this afternoon.

]]> By: The Not Quite Crunchy Parent http://unplugyourkids.com/2007/09/29/how-to-get-by-without-the-electronic-babysitting-box/comment-page-1/#comment-993 The Not Quite Crunchy Parent Tue, 02 Oct 2007 13:12:00 +0000 http://74.52.60.18/~marybun/blog/?p=292#comment-993 Great post!<br/><br/>I actually think 3-1/2 or so is the hardest age for getting something done...no more naps! <br/><br/>However, in the early years...before 4 or 5 I do think a parent needs to teach a child to entertain him/herself.<br/><br/>I've found that those hours and hours I spent setting up "stories" with wooden and plastic figures, silks and blocks for my 1,2,3,4 year old have paid off. My now 5-year-old (only) can spend hours ( OK – maybe 30-45 minutes) playing by himself setting up elaborate stories with his play figures.<br/><br/>When he was younger I had a basket or cabinet in each room for him...when I was in that room, he could open it up...most of the toys stayed the same but I would add or subtract things to keep him busy.<br/><br/>In reality though, a commitment to no TV means a commitment to getting only the things that really need to be done completed, having little time to yourself and spending LOTS of time playing with your child. Great post!

I actually think 3-1/2 or so is the hardest age for getting something done…no more naps!

However, in the early years…before 4 or 5 I do think a parent needs to teach a child to entertain him/herself.

I’ve found that those hours and hours I spent setting up “stories” with wooden and plastic figures, silks and blocks for my 1,2,3,4 year old have paid off. My now 5-year-old (only) can spend hours ( OK – maybe 30-45 minutes) playing by himself setting up elaborate stories with his play figures.

When he was younger I had a basket or cabinet in each room for him…when I was in that room, he could open it up…most of the toys stayed the same but I would add or subtract things to keep him busy.

In reality though, a commitment to no TV means a commitment to getting only the things that really need to be done completed, having little time to yourself and spending LOTS of time playing with your child.

]]> By: Andrée http://unplugyourkids.com/2007/09/29/how-to-get-by-without-the-electronic-babysitting-box/comment-page-1/#comment-988 Andrée Sun, 30 Sep 2007 21:09:00 +0000 http://74.52.60.18/~marybun/blog/?p=292#comment-988 What an excellent post. There was an NPR spot about the Baby Einstein videos: they are worthless and actually delay language development. "So what do we do so that we can make supper?" the parents cried. "I don't know," the scientist said (I'm encouraged that a researcher didn't stick his/her nose into parenting where they are not qualified to speak). "What did your ancestors do 100 years ago? A thousand years ago? FIFTY YEARS AGO?"<br/><br/>I am done with the Wildlife Habitat post finally. I should have re-taken all the photos tho because we are near peak in color and last week the color was just beginning. But it's up. Thank you so much. What an excellent post. There was an NPR spot about the Baby Einstein videos: they are worthless and actually delay language development. “So what do we do so that we can make supper?” the parents cried. “I don’t know,” the scientist said (I’m encouraged that a researcher didn’t stick his/her nose into parenting where they are not qualified to speak). “What did your ancestors do 100 years ago? A thousand years ago? FIFTY YEARS AGO?”

I am done with the Wildlife Habitat post finally. I should have re-taken all the photos tho because we are near peak in color and last week the color was just beginning. But it’s up. Thank you so much.

]]> By: Mom Unplugged http://unplugyourkids.com/2007/09/29/how-to-get-by-without-the-electronic-babysitting-box/comment-page-1/#comment-987 Mom Unplugged Sun, 30 Sep 2007 20:57:00 +0000 http://74.52.60.18/~marybun/blog/?p=292#comment-987 Gwyn- Yet another use for chocolate! Good idea!<br/><br/>Amanda- I know I am very fortunate to have two children around the same age. I think it must be more difficult with only one. However, I remember spending many hours running around by myself or playing imaginary games with my doll house as a child. (My only sister is 14 years older than me so I basically grew up like an only child). So, I guess that given the opportunity, children will do what they need to do to keep themselves entertained, with or without parental help. Gwyn- Yet another use for chocolate! Good idea!

Amanda- I know I am very fortunate to have two children around the same age. I think it must be more difficult with only one. However, I remember spending many hours running around by myself or playing imaginary games with my doll house as a child. (My only sister is 14 years older than me so I basically grew up like an only child). So, I guess that given the opportunity, children will do what they need to do to keep themselves entertained, with or without parental help.

]]> By: amanda http://unplugyourkids.com/2007/09/29/how-to-get-by-without-the-electronic-babysitting-box/comment-page-1/#comment-986 amanda Sun, 30 Sep 2007 15:55:00 +0000 http://74.52.60.18/~marybun/blog/?p=292#comment-986 My son used to love to play with canning rings. Actually he still does :)<br/><br/>I love your thoughts about not being your children's entertainment committee. With an only child it is a bit trickier, so I find myself playing with my son a lot more than my parents ever played with me. However sometimes I feel that is the expectation today--to be constatnly entertaining and directing play. Not necessarily a good thing in my opinion. It's a balance I suppose. Children are made for play, and to do it their own way is best for them. Letting kids push past their own "boredom" and invent their own fun is important! I am so glad my mom left my sister and me to our own devices for playtime. It was a true gift. My son used to love to play with canning rings. Actually he still does :)

I love your thoughts about not being your children’s entertainment committee. With an only child it is a bit trickier, so I find myself playing with my son a lot more than my parents ever played with me. However sometimes I feel that is the expectation today–to be constatnly entertaining and directing play. Not necessarily a good thing in my opinion. It’s a balance I suppose. Children are made for play, and to do it their own way is best for them. Letting kids push past their own “boredom” and invent their own fun is important! I am so glad my mom left my sister and me to our own devices for playtime. It was a true gift.

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