2 1/2 yr old foster boy always wants to watch Dora the Explorer, Go Diego Go, Blues Clues etc the whole time we are home. He will play during this also but when I tell him it is our turn to watch a show the adults would like to see, he pitches a fit and says " I dont want to watch that", "It's my turn" etc even though he has been allowed to watch his show for an hour or two. I suggest playing a game, toys, read a book etc, but he just cries and even with time out will then continue to complain/ cry during our turn at TV. Or even when I jsut want him to redirect to another activity. What can anyone suggest to help resolve this problem? All serious thoughts appreciated!
2006-07-23 11:55:43 · 23 answers · asked by Dale & Rhonda C 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
Kelley 1976 provided the best answer to my question. Thank you!
My husband and I are very much in control in our house and our foster son is allowed to watch roughly one to two hours of TV per day. My initial question was seeking help in getting him to understand this 1-2 hr period was it for the day without having a melt down each time. Some of you provided great ideas. Others responded as though I park him in front of the TV all day so I can play around. I am an RN and know how to raise a child as I have done 3 of our own ages 23-21-15. I am new to toddlerville again and just want to do whats right for Andrew. All kids (and adults) have their favorite shows they like to see and while we as a family keep quite busy, in the evening Andrew likes to watch a show as MOST little children like to do and I am not going to deny him 2 little shows. He is not stuck on a bottle, pacifier, diapers etc like many kids his age are, he just likes to see a show. Thx 4 the GOOD reasonable responses.
2006-07-23 14:35:47 · update #1
At 2 he shouldn't be watching more than an hour of TV anyway. Get him on a schedule of planned activities (playtime, naps, TV) so that he won't be expecting to watch TV all the time. If you turn the TV off and forgo your TV time at the moment and engage him in playing some other game he may respond, if he does not don't give in! Tell him no and be firm! You could just TiVo (if you have it) your programs and watch them during his naps. After you do this for awhile you can try having him share again. If he refuses, time out or some other loss of privileges. Most importantly he needs to know who the boss is. He has probably been in foster care before and that type of activity must have been tolerated by previous parents. Hope this works!!
2006-07-23 12:06:43 · answer #1 · answered by almostmom 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I wonder here who is the parent and who is the child? Since when does a two and a half year old dictates to you when you are allowed to watch your own programs. This sounds as if it's setting a bad precedent that will only get worse as he gets older. Inform him that he is allowed to watch only a certain amount of television per day, which should be limited anyway, TV is not a babysitter. Try to find a program that is suitable for everyone to watch and actively participate with him in the viewing. Granted it may not be "Blues Clues", or "Dora" or whatever, but there are some fine nature programs that may not be excessively violent to watch, or how about just turning the T.V. off entirely and spending some one on one time reading Blues Clues or Dora books or doing creative projects together he saw on these programs.
2006-07-23 12:10:01 · answer #2 · answered by Sumanitu Taka 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are the parents and he is the child. It's obvious that he has fallen into a bad routine of watching too much tv and getting his way. You need to lay down a schedule for him so that he knows when it's his turn to watch tv. Perhaps allow him to watch tv for 2-3 hours a day only. He is a toddler and shouldn't be watching exorbitant amounts of tv anyway.
Get him on a set schedule as soon as you can. Be aware that he may cry, kick, and scream, but he will eventually stop when he realizes that he isn't going to get his way. You need to let him know that he isn't the boss and if he acts out there is nothing wrong with giving him a time out.
2006-07-23 12:01:16 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Now is the time to take control! Advise your child in a firm but loving way that he's going to have to learn to share. (Is he an only child?) Either way, YOU need to let him know who calls the shots around the house, or you're in for a lifetime of tantrums and whining. Next time he wants to throw a tantrum, give him a little quiet time, ALONE, in his room. Maybe 10 minutes. Let him scream his head off. Don't go into his room until he cools down. He'll soon learn that emotional outbursts don't always get him rewards. At that point, give him a choice; If you want to come out of your room and play, that's fine. We'll be watching something on television that you may or may not like. If it's something you don't like and you throw a tantrum, I'll bring you back to your room until you settle down, or our show is over. Don't argue, don't negotiate, don't apologize. If he starts any of that, start leading him back towards his room. He'll figure out which direction he's going, and stop the bad behavior.
2006-07-23 12:09:55 · answer #4 · answered by RepoMan18 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Here's a better question: Why aren't you raising the child yourself rather than having the television do it for you? This is an impressionable age, take him to the park or a playground. Take him to the zoo, kids love animals. If you have a yard take him outside and make up some games! One reason for the obesity epidemic in this country is because of television. If it's rainy READ HIM A BOOK!
2006-07-23 12:04:32 · answer #5 · answered by tropicalturbodave 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't cave. If the tantrums keep working, he'll keep doing them.
At a quiet time, talk to him and explain that he gets to watch N amount of TV he wants, then the grown-ups get their turn. And that's how it's going to be from now on. Maybe you two can also talk about other things he can do besides TV.
Then, explain, just before his last show that this is his last show, to remind him.
Then keep giving him time-outs, and wait out the tantrums until he realizes they don't work any more. Try to distract him.
Maybe start playing with him after his quota of shows, to get him distracted, before you start watching his shows.
Possibly throw a tantrum, imitating him during his shows, and pointing out that he doesn't like it.
2006-07-23 12:05:43 · answer #6 · answered by tehabwa 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
For one you are the boss and kids are going to not like what you have to say but they get over it. If you don't take charge now over cartoons it will be 10 times worse down the road. He /she is prob just going through the terrible twos. if they fuss send them to there room with no toys or a time out chair for a few min. don't pay attenction to them when they throw a fit that is what they want. soon when he/she figures out that throwing a temper tantrum will not get them what they want.
2006-07-23 13:28:16 · answer #7 · answered by Autumn 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with babalooey. Which of you is the parent. Put the darn thing on for a limited amount of time and get him something requiring some imagination - legos, magnetic toys, K-nex, -- and -- sit down with him to show him how its done. If you love this kid you will gently discipline him. He can't throw a hissy fit in the real world and get away with it.
2006-07-23 13:08:17 · answer #8 · answered by TheHumbleOne 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He is a two year old, and if he doesn't get what he wants unfortunately he's going to throw a tantrum. Turn off the TV and get him interested in something else.
2006-07-26 18:24:44 · answer #9 · answered by blue eyes 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Unplug the TV and then put childproof covers on the outlets. Only allow him one hour in the morning and one hour in the evening. You might remove the batteries (put them in a safe place) from the remote so he can't turn it on by himself.
2006-07-23 12:22:17 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋