How much TV?

My older ds is 3 1/2 and younger ds is 21 months. My older ds almost never watched TV and I am only now allowing educational DVD's maybe 1-2 times a week when it is too cold to go out. I just feel sooo guilty when I let them watch. Not so much my older ds but bc my younger ds is under 2. It's never longer than 30 minutes and I sit with them and interact but I have such guilt. Plz tell me I'm nuts, everyone else does... but since both boys have some sensory/motor issues I feel there is always something "better" they could be doing. (i.e. fun fine and gross motor activities, crafts, pretend play, exercises, etc.) dh and i bust our azz 24/7 doing things with them and a short break for them and us would make life so much easier but i have this guilt!
what do you guys do? how do i get past this and learn to relax?

Re: How much TV?

my DSs language really took off with babybumblebee DVDs. we always have the TV on in the background, regardless of what we are doing.

both my kids really don't just sit and watch it, i guess because they are so used to it, it's not something "new"

so in a nut shell, the TV is on from 7am (if they are up that early) until they fall asleep.

DS is at school from 8:30-3:30 but DD & I are in and out all day. even when we do playdoh and paint the TV is always on.

don't feel guilty...

BTW DS is 3y 5m & DD is 18m

Re: How much TV?

I think the amount your DCs are watching is fine and you shouldn't feel guilty at all about it.

I noticed over the holidays we became way too dependent on the TV to entertain my DS and we are now cutting back again, but he will sit and watch it all day if I let him.

One of the things I was told, which I thought was a good piece of advice is that they need some down time too. My DS is in a full day school program and gets therapy there and once a week at home. He needs to be able to come home and just relax sometimes too. I think as long as they aren't watching TV excessively, it's fine.

Re: How much TV?

I think TV can be a great learning tool so don't feel guilty. DS used to love TV and would sit and pay attention, now not so much. I miss it!