I never used to let my son watch more than 1/2 an hour TV a day but I had another baby 3 months ago and I started letting him watch while I nursed her.
He's now totally addicted. If I turn it off he has tantrums that sometimes last literally for hours. He won't play with any of his toys. If it's nice outside we go to the park as much as possible because he will still do that. But the weather isn't always so great now it's fall so we're stuck inside more.
This morning he said he wanted to watch TV "all day" so, thinking I would try a bit of reverse psychology, I said "Okay, we'll throw away all your toys you can watch TV all day strapped into your high chair."
He said "Okay mum, I'll help." We packed all his toys into garbage bags and he sat in front of the TV from 8:45 this morning until he fell asleep around 3:30! I made him move once when I noticed that there was pee dripping onto the floor under the chair because he didn't even want to move to change!
Help!
2007-10-17 09:21:11 · 15 answers · asked by -S.C.R.- 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
My daughter is the same way. And I know how you feel, it seems so much easier to let him watch tv while you tend to your other child. My daughter wakes up and the first thing she says is she wants to watch tv. It's a hard habit to break! After her morning cartoons, I turn the tv off when she's not looking and tell her it must have "broke" and that daddy'll fix it when he gets home. She's fine with that, and understands. By the time daddy does get home, she's so excited to see him she doesn't even care about the tv anymore. I turn the tv off at 10 every morning, we do crafts and clean together. Maybe you could get your son to help while you're nursing the baby. Have him get you a burp cloth or something you know you'll need when you're done! It's a phase that he's going thru that you'll just have to help break! It takes time, but can be done!
2007-10-17 12:36:20 · answer #1 · answered by laura_paura 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This happened when my oldest was about his age, and my youngest was about a year old.
We unplugged the tv.
Because of the way it was in the entertainment center, they thought the tv was broken, and yeah, the first day or two SUCKED, but making them quit tv cold turkey worked -- even after we slowly reintroduced tv and movies, they don't get it in their heads that it's available to watch all day.
If it were me, once the reverse psychology didn't work the way you intended, I would have levelled with him, saying "Okay, you know what, no, we're not going to watch tv all day" and explained why. I would definately NOT have let him sit there all day without getting up to use the potty or be changed. At some point, long before he spent almost seven hours sitting in front of the tv, the parent card should have been played. To show him that he shouldn't watch tv, you let him sit there for longer than is legal for a company to make an adult sit without a break, and it's unlikely he'll wake up and figure "Okay, that was fun, but I need to stop watching tv now."
2007-10-17 09:41:37 · answer #2 · answered by CrazyChick 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Your son is 3. Kids are going to watch tv, and if you have not yet acknowledged this as an "addiction" than I wouldn't be too worried. Honestly, 2-3 hrs. is not a lot of time for a child. All you need to do is make sure he takes breaks and gets outside a lot. Animal Planet is already an educational channel, although i'm sure he only likes to see the animals, and cartoons are completely normal. I'm actually suprised that he doesn't watch more than half an hour per day.
2016-05-23 04:49:53 · answer #3 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
hmmm who's in control here.? You need to find alternatives to tv. If he screams, let him scream. Don't give in. It will stop eventually. If he screams for an hour and you give in, he'll know that you will eventually. Be firm. When he stops crying perhaps read a book to him and create some bonding time between the both of you. Eventually he will look forward to doing some other things besides tv. Keep in mind he may have favorite shows and don't take them all away. Allow him to watch those shows then tv off after. It will take awhile but if you are consistent it will work.
2007-10-17 09:27:01 · answer #4 · answered by queenmaeve172000 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
In order to break this habit you can't even let him watch one show. You need to unplug the TV and turn it around! Don't give in no matter how much he cries. I understand how nice a TV is for just those occasions, and found myself guilty of leaving it on for longer than my daughter's 3 PBS shows, but when you realize it's a problem you need to stop it before it gets too far (as it has in your case since you are asking for help). TO break my daughter's addiction, I just left the TV off for a couple weeks until she stopped asking for it. Then I only let her watch Sesame Street, then turned it right off again! Your son will be bored in the beginning, but this is because he has forgotten how to amuse himself! Help him out by coloring with him, or reading stories with voices (you can also add to these stories by asking questions, or making him guess what comes next). Have him help you cook something, or help you clean. HIs addiction will break as long as you are consistent (and this means you can't watch anything for at least while he's awake).
2007-10-17 10:08:58 · answer #5 · answered by Sunshine Swirl 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Please forgive me if I sound judgemental but it sounds to me like you're not in control, he is. Letting him watch TV can be an assett if you purchase some educational videos or interactive games that teach while viewing. Just place a time limit on it. You are in control, not the child. You've introduced him to tv, now control the time and what is done durring that time.
If you do not take control now, you will truly regret it later in the child's life. Children will push the parents to see just how much they can get away with. Use stern love and channel the childs energy. It is time for you to introduce your son to a new word...NO!.. Say it, mean it, and do not give in. If the child cries, let him and talk to him about right and wrong. You are tha parent. Parent.
2007-10-17 09:41:08 · answer #6 · answered by latietee 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
This is not a problem with the child, but rather with an error in your decision making. Rather than allowing him to watch TV while you nursed, you should have had him "read" you a story during, or play with toys or a puzzle in front of you. Seeing as how you can't change that now, you can not give into the demands of a 3 year old. You are in fact the parent, so what you decide and say does go. Inform him that there is no more TV until he can understand that there is an okay time to watch and not others. If he screams, let him scream. If he won't stop, you put him in timeout or in his room. Give him a choice, book or toy; if he picks neither than he can sit quietly in the middle of the room til one sounds enticing. The fact that you allowed him to sit at the TV that long today is a very bad sign that he has the power. Take it back.
2007-10-17 09:26:48 · answer #7 · answered by A P 3 · 3⤊ 4⤋
Wow, youre son is really addicted. I met somebody and their mom turned off the volume and just let the words at the bottom just show and pretend that you lost the remote. If not well then just set the tv how he can only watch like the news and no any of his regular shows. Also get some of his friends and bring like a cool toy that he likes and he won't watch tv. Or let him watch tv but only educational stuff like math and stuff Good Luck!
2007-10-17 10:03:06 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
OK, I hate to sound harsh, but the child is 3 y/o, you're the parent, be a parent... pull the plug on the TV, you wouldnt stand for a tantrum in a supermarket or a restaurant. plan some other activites or play outside.. he'll forget the tv is there after awhile
2007-10-17 09:33:52 · answer #9 · answered by northshore_angel_fan 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
unplug the tv and let him earn his tv time. in 15 min intevals. ok you went potty, you get 15 min. then go through the tv guied togeather and decide what shows he will watched with his earned time. ( ok youve earned 1/2 hour, we can watch curious george or wonder pets) make sure he knows that after his show is over, the tv will get unplugged again. You may need to get outlet covers to put there, they can be pretty smart at that age and figure out how to plug it back in. Make sure hes getting his play time. sit down with him and build a leggo castel. even if he doesnt want to, If he sees you having so much fun playing with his toys, hell want to join in too.
good luck.
2007-10-17 09:38:23 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋