electronic babysitter

I am guilty as charged.

I never thought I would be the type of parent who relies on an electronic babysitter. Although we do not have a television set in our household, we do have a collection of children's programming on dvd. It is the only way I can get Jacob to sit still long enough to wind down and eat his dinner. I lock him in his highchair with a tray full of nutritious food and on goes Bob the Builder or Wonderpets via the laptop on the kitchen counter. I personally like Old School Sesame Street. It is still as good as it was when I was a kid. Remember Wanda the Witch and Ladybug Picnic? And we also have the Mr. Dressup collection. Anyway, I digress.

I use the electronic babysitter as an aid. It is a lazy aid I know but this is where we're at. With my husband working late into the night, and me alone with both children it is easier and safer knowing that Jacob can't budge from his perch while I am changing Maiya's diaper or putting her to bed. Sometimes when my husband is home we still use it so we can enjoy a few minutes of dinner together in peace. Not ideal but either that or he'll be racing around and jumping all over the place. I know all the experts out there say tv is bad for children but we watched way more television when we were kids. And if you know my son, apart from sleeping, watching programs is the only time he sits still. He runs like the wind, happy and active, exploring, and always inquisitive like an almost 3 year old boy is supposed to be. Watching Backyardigans slows him down.

He was in that highchair for hours tonight... to the point he was asking to get out to go to bed. Works for me.