My 3 yr old watches too much TV?

Question

Yes, I made the mistake in the beginning of letting him have the TV on all day. Most days it's just background noise. If me or my husband even comes near the remote, he screams and cries b/c he doesn't want us to turn his shows off. I've recently decided enough is enough and I want to limit how much he watches. I've tried turning the TV off altogether during the day to make more time for play and such, but I still get fits. Is this something that will pass in time, or did I lay the ground rules too late?

Answer 1

It's never too late to lay down rules.... just, the longer you wait to get control over something the more difficult it will be. Just because it might take some time or effort isn't a reason not to do it though....
Be clear about when he is allowed to watch. Say, 1/2 hour show in the morning while you're getting ready/in the shower. Then 1 hour mid-day as his quiet time (if he doesn't take naps anymore.) That's plenty for a 3 year old. Just stick to the routine and ride out the tantrums. He will get the idea if you don't back down---but it's going to take some time. Make sure he receives consequences (like a time-out in his room) for his tantrums. To head off the tantrums, make sure that when you do turn it off, you have an activity ready to suggest (even better if you can do it with him for a little bit) to engage him. If he's not used to entertaining himself without the tv he is probably going to be at a loss for ideas. If you can get that tv off after his time is up and get him right into something else (and fun) he's less likely to throw a fit. Keep at it---you're doing the right thing. It's soooo easy to keep that tv on, but as a parent it's your responsibility to limit it (even when it makes things inconvenient for you) and your child will be better off because of it in the long run.

Answer 2

No, three years is not too late. It'll just be a tougher haul for you two that's all.

I went through it too.

Start with it off. Get him involved in something.

Make it clear when you turn it back on that it is only for a short time (egg timer 30 min) and when the timer goes off the TV goes off. If this rule is not followed the TV will not go on again for the rest of the day.

You will have fits and screams, and tears, and kicks. But don't even respond. Just pick him up and take him to his room. Close the door.

Each time.

When he's calm (he will calm down if ignored - I promise).

Then you can explain why you are doing what you are doing. For example, you don't think its a very good thing for a little boy to be watching that much televsion, and mommy is very concerned. That if you can't get it under control, he won't be able to watch ANY TV.

But tantrums, and screaming and bad behaviour won't get the TV turned back on.

Once you and he figure out what being good means, well then you have a winner... kids can (and will for TV) help fold laundry, put dishes away, sweep the floor, tidy thier toys, help make snacks and meals, play quietly by them selves for set times (we loving refer to it as "mommy's quiet time" at our house.)

Make sure you do some really fun stuff with him particulary the first couple days when the TV is off. He does need to re-learn play time. (hide and seek, tag, memory games, long walks, word games, colouring time, sing a longs) its exhausting but break it up for both of your sakes. ;)

Within a week, you'll have TV at the bottom of the list playing low priority in your house again (where it should be).

My kids though (6 & 5) both know they can watch more tv with Daddy than they can with me. And they take FULL advantage of it! Whatever.

Answer 3

I definitely think that you need to lay down the law and he'll come around eventually. Yeah, it may take time. Better late than never!After you get things under control such as he doesn't even ask for tv anymore then you might consider a half hour to an hour in the evening before bed or something. Leave the day for running around and playing.

Answer 4

then TURN OFF THE TV.
Play with your child, read to your child, take your child outside. You are the parent!!!
Yes, the shock of no TV will pass.
You could always unplug the TV and tell him it's broken.
A 3yr old should only watch 30 minutes a day (if that) You can set a timer by the TV and tell him when times up it's time to turn it off. Then just pay attention to your kid.
If you want back ground noise turn on music.
When kids watch to much TV they lack creativity and imagination and their social skills can suffer.
The sooner you get your kid away from the TV the smarter he will be.

Answer 5

My 3 yr old watches tv, but not all day. I used to feel a little guilty, but now days there are so many educational preschool shows on. Maybe try leaving the tv off from the beginning of the day. Let him throw the fits, eventually he'll get tired of it. Just don't give in! Good luck!

Answer 6

My oldest son did that for a while. It hadn't occurred to me that the tv was even on all day (like you said, background noise).

It got to the point that we unplugged it from the back. We had a tv in our room, so when we wanted to watch tv, it came on, and he was allowed occasional use of the living room tv.

We were his worst enemies for about two weeks.

However, in that time, we had to think of ways to fill his time. Playing outside, taking walks, going to parks, and mothers-day-outs took over. On rainy days, not having the tv on forced me to do things like color with him, use finger paints, and read stories. Basically, I had to start thinking creatively.

I repeat, my son hated me for about two weeks. However, once he was no longer addicted, he was a happier kid and I was a better mother.

After he got past his little addiction, we started adding short periods of supervised movie/tv times, but we don't just leave the tv on all day (except for the two weekends recently when my husband and I were sick as dogs, and the boys felt great, naturally). They do enjoy waking up at 5:00 AM, so we leave the channel set to the Disney Channel and they watch cartoons and eat their breakfasts then. The TV is plugged in now, and they understand the basic rules, though.

Don't worry, it's not to late to fix it, but it may be too late to make the change easy. That's okay, though. Just stick to it, and things will work out okay. :-)

Oh yeah, Kimberly up there has a good point. My kids know the same thing (they can get Daddy to let them watch more tv). Actually, my husband and the boys like to bond over pizza and Batman. *shrug* Whatever. They enjoy it, it's not killing them, and I get to have some time alone.

Answer 7

Seeing as how he's only 3, it's not really too late. 16 would be worse, though not impossible.

My step-sister was still insisting on going to bed with at least one parent when she was 4 1/2 and not letting them leave while she was still awake; and the main reason they broke her of that when they did was because her mother was pg again. They turned her off cold turkey with a teddy bear, and that was comically brutal the first night (she thew such a fit we couldn't help but laugh). But you know what, she got used to it, and now everything is fine.

Answer 8

Take the remote away and turn the TV off and let him have a fit, he'll get over it and know that when you say something you mean it. He can still be taught. Just be patient and let him cry and scream or whatever but don't give in, that will just let him know that he can get his way with a little screaming.

Answer 9

You can never lay the ground rules too late. It's ok if he throws a tantrum as long as he is not endangering himself or anyone else. Ignore it. If you pay attention to the tantrums, he is going to keep the tantrums up. If he sees that the tantrums are not helping him any, he will eventually give them up. Let me recommend finding something else such as a game to take his mind away from the TV. Good luck!!

Answer 10

First off, you need to remember who the parent is and who the 3 yr. old is. Turn the tv off and take the remote away. Let him have his fit. Don't let him control you like he does the tv.