A few weeks ago, local parents were invited to join the OnMilwaukee.com Parent Posse. As members, they receive a question via e-mail every month and their responses are posted in an article like this one.

For the first Parent Posse symposium, OnMilwaukee.com asked the group what their thoughts are on children watching television, and here's what they said.

Let's face it, after the kids are in bed and I want to put my feet up, what do I do? I turn on the TV. As long as my children have a good balance of playtime, learning time and TV / down time, I'm OK with it in our house.
Kory Beavers
South Side

I am not against TV. Actually, I believe it can be educational, but kids must have their limits. TV can expose children to a world they may not necessarily be exposed to like people of different races, disabilities, abilities, etc. Remember that "Facts of Life" show? That was the first time I remember seeing someone with a disability. Blair's cousin had CP (I believe) and I was so intrigued. My daughter is almost 3 and is just now enjoying a few shows. Yes, I monitor what she watches and will continue to do so.
Carrie Passante
Wauwatosa

We have three televisions in our house. Realistically, TV is often helpful in giving the parents a break from the "I'm bored / mommy mommy / how can I torture my younger sibling today" scenarios that are a constant struggle. TV does bring the family together at times, but it can be harmful. Some of the stuff on cable is pretty sleazy, and words that used to be beeped out just a couple of years ago, are not now.
Rick Stieghorst
Brookfield

I truly believe that young children should not watch television at all. They are still figuring out their world and how they fit into it. When they watch TV it becomes their primary world experience.
Kay Ehlers
Whitefish Bay

My daughter is only 3 months old and the TV at this point is just the source of lights and noises, but it really does draw her attention. Her vision is still very limited so she probably doesn't see anything but a blur, but I already feel guilty.
Kate Borders
East Side

We own a TV and each member of the family has their own blocked time for viewing. Our daughter, Abigail's special show is "Caillou" and she's allowed to watch it with a treat every night before she goes to bed. The show is recorded everyday. Our 5-month-old, Sullivan, was recently introduced to a Baby Einstein video, but he still prefers staring at my face. I think TV exposure is fine as long as the length of time viewing is monitored. The TV makes for an excellent babysitter when you're trying to get the dinner on the table, or finish that phone call and I can't imagine a parent who does not do this.
Stephanie Bennett
South Side

With a 23-month-old, there's no need to limit TV at this stage in the game. We control when she watches and how long.
Mary Jo Preston
Menomonee Falls

I do believe that TV is bad for children and should be avoided as much as possible. Unfortunately, my husband and I are truly addicted to it and find it so difficult to keep it off. One thing I try to do is to play as many music shows on TV. I hope that, at least if the TV is going to be on, that my daughter will gain an appreciation of music.
Robin Mindt
West Allis

We let the kids watch a 30-minute show probably two or three times per week. I don't look to TV for educating kids, I look at it as primarily entertainment. And yes, my wife and I feel guilty when the kids watch TV, even in the limited quantities that they are allowed.
Steve Scheuing
Milwaukee

I don't plunk my kids in front of the TV unless it's an occasional video that I know is suitable for their viewing. I don't feel bad about their watching TV, because it's a family experience when we watch in our house and kids learn from TV if it's carefully chosen shows.
Carol Voss
Bay View

Yes, I let my girls watch TV. I try to limit, but have on occasion (shamefully) used the TV so I can get some things done around the house, like dinner, or cleaning. However, it has been a long, long winter and I am running out of non-TV ideas. I'm hoping this changes when the weather warms and we can do more things outside. I don't believe I can handle any more "SpongeBob"...
Angela Stahl
Greenfield

For better or worse, we are a TV family. There is always a television on. I'm not so concerned now, to have it on in the background, but as she gets older and becomes better able to focus on and understand what she sees, there will be less ambient television in the house. I'm still too new to the parenting game to have a favorite show, but I'm hoping she'll fall in love with the Food Network as much as her mom has.
Elizabeth Moen
Bay View

Because I work in the advertising and media world, TV is a big part of my life. Being too strict on TV watching would be a little hypocritical. We do try to limit our sons TV watching, but truthfully don't have a specific allotment of time. The one line that I do not want to cross anytime soon is letting him have a TV in his room. I have come across other parents who do not have a TV in the household. I actually think that they are doing a disservice to their children down the road. Kids want to fit in and pop culture and TV show characters are things that they can talk about with other kids. Having a child so isolated from that world could hamper their social skills down the road. Just my opinion!
Lisa Huebner
Pewaukee

The only reasons I would feel guilty for allowing my child to watch television is if it were a nice day out and I wasn't taking advantage of allowing my child to be outside, Or, if I allowed my child to watch something that I disagreed with because I was working from home or otherwise engaged in something else.
Gigi Gamboa
Jackson Park

There are wonderful, funny, musical, even educational things awaiting a child on television. BUT, it is the job of the parent to choose the appropriate programming and how much time will be spent on the diversion.
Maire Greenya
Downtown /East Side

We have a television in our living room and one in our bedroom. I try not to let my son watch too much TV. Every weekend morning he is allowed to watch cartoons. During the week, I will have the TV when we get home from home/daycare because I like to have background noise but for the most part he doesn't really get involved with it, especially if he is entertained in other ways.
Rachel Cruz
East Side