Tina Fey once remarked that when she witnessed her daughter devolving into madness after the TV was turned off she realized it couldn't be good for the kid and avoided it whenever possible. Tina Fey also built enough professional success for herself to reward her kids with a sweet nanny situation.

Initially, I tried hard to restrict TV for both my kids. Even with a surprising push-back from some relatives who didn't think it was a big deal. Whenever some jump in development happens I eagerly attribute it to something Mr. Rogers said to the kid from beyond the grave. But, I know I'm just trying to assuage my own guilt. I know it can't be good for her developing brain and someday I will probably heartily regret all the times I chose not to pretend to be a giant sloth playing tag with the kid in favor of popping on a WildKratts episode about sloths and doing the dishes. Still, as all parents with the ability to download PBS Kids shows to a device know, the ability to return a phone call uninterrupted is an irresistible lure. Someday my kid will be worrying about installing a Netflix implant for her offspring and I will likely wave off her concerns with a self-defensive assurance that she turned out fine.