video help: When it’s my husband’s turn to watch the kids, he turns on cartoons while he plays video games in another room. - Help.com

No you aren’t. I think it is a worldwide phenomena. I have feel your pain. When I complained, my mother gave me some advice. She told me that I should make them leave the house. One night a week, my dh has to take my daughter out to dinner. And they get quality time. Now that he’s gotten used to that, they do a lot more together. I think before he was kind of at a loss as to what to do, but getting to go to places and do activities gave him a better direction. He’s still not perfect in house, but that’s why I exist. I am the one who is protective, and he is the one who lets her learn from her own mistakes. Good balance, maybe?

There’s no reason at all to have to watch tv and play video games especially with kids that young. I’m not sure how you can communicate that but for any human being it’s just as interesting to play with little kids as to do something totally random like engage with media entertainment. Maybe that just needs to be pointed out somehow.

Unless it’s always “naptime”, that’s the chance to sneak off and play a videogame.

I don’t think you are overreacting. He should play with them or read to them. TV is no good.

Of course, he should ACTIVELY care for them, no question!
Playing with them, tell them tales, drawing and painting …

Have a serious talk with him and show him this: “How to Babysit a Toddler”: http://www.wikihow.com/Babysit-a-Toddler

well, he’s showing you what he is made of, nothing. You married him. He’s yours and guess what? videoheads never grow up, no consideration for others - at all. You make easy living for him, and he gave you kids to raise. Case closed.

I find it very, very, very difficult to relate to very young children. It’s difficult to engage kids with a very short attention span. But I DID read the Ring Trilogy and the Chronicles of Narnia to my son for bedtime stories when he was four!

No! Coming from a mother of 4!

I would put them in the room he is in and put the gate on that door so they can’t come out……..he sounds like a typical guy…!

There are EXCEPTIONS to that last comment…there are many guys who make great dad’s and would feel the same way you do…but in your case the two of you need to have a sit down and discuss this and come to a solution.

And even this may do nothing!

You could hide the game box-pull the cable cord when it is his turn to watch them.

I went through the same thing raising my 4 kids. I even had to play Santa Clause when all the kids went to sleep Christmas Eve….lol Serious.

Choosing a relationship getting married does not tell us what kind of a parent either person will be until we have kids and are faced with the responsibilty…you are seeing another side of your mate and this is how he is.

I remeber going to the grocery store I was gone 1/2 hour. We had a 1 and 2 year old at the time. I get home dad is laying in front of the tv the kids are in the kithcen with every pot and pan they could reach and all the food spices etc they could get ahold of…I walk in and they were so happy to give me a pizza pie “they called it”. Oh my gosh I was so upset…..

Just one of many stories….I never had the luxury of him really watching the kids. His idea of changing diapers was to take them outside and hose them down…..

We are not married anymore….he is a Grandfather and still the same way. Just a little smarter like our Grandson always wanted to watch cartoons when he goes to Grandpa’s. But Grandpa wants to watch Football…so Grandpa teachers his 4 year old Grandson how to bet and win money on Football. Now my 4 year old Grandson loves football, knows how to gamble. And now stresses out because when he loses he doesn’t have a credit card to pay his debt…

Good Luck! Sorry but I haven’t a clue on how to help you here just stories to share and let you know you are not alone on this one!