all he wants to watch is educational but its still alot of tv
2007-10-30 02:13:24 · 28 answers · asked by sheclaws2005 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Parenting
It may tear you to pieces when he chucks a fit, but you must be strong. Just make sure he is safe and then walk out of the room. Try and distract him, if the weather is good go out side or take him to the park. Yes this means you don't get you time, but hey it is getting him out and exercising. Do you have someone you can phone for moral support? Talking to friends can help. Try not turning the TV on in the morning and doing something different with him like drawing or painting, play doe anything to distract him. Be strong you can do it!
2007-10-30 02:20:48 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had this very same problem just a few months ago! with a 3 year old. Let him know that in advance that the tv is going off. Say after this show tv off...or 2 mins then tv is off. Make him turn the tv off himself. and when he does praise him. If he wants to have a fit let him. just ignore it. He'll soon learn that it doesn't get him anywhere. When ever possible let him watch the entire show. Children's programmes dont usually run for too long. And teach him to turn off the tv when the credits come up.
It took me 4 months stop this behaviour. But now he turns off the tv by himself without the fits
2007-10-30 03:25:44 · answer #2 · answered by Mareezi 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think you have some good suggestions here! I would combine them - we've been foster parents for awhile now and we've had many kids that were used to sitting in front of the television constantly.
We let them know how much television they can watch "You can watch one cartoon and then it's bath time" and then about halfway through I start giving verbal cues that the time is almost up, that way it's not a surprise.
When the television goes off, provide an alternate activity, preferabley with you! Play a game or play cars. Or if you have to get work done, let your son help. The kids we've had have loved to help do housework or yardword if it meant doing it with us. They think it's very grown up! If you don't provide an activity and just leave them to amuse themselves they'll feel like they are being punished.
If you provide and activity and he still throws a fit then just walk away (as long as he's not hurting himself). The most I would say about it is "I'll talk to you about this when you're done with your tantrum". And then just ignore it. Sometimes a tantrum might take 30 minutes (or more) to play out but just let it happen. He will get bored b/c he won't have your attention.
He might fuss for awhile but he'll get past it and learn to amuse himself in other ways.
Good luck. Update your question when you've tried and let us know how it goes!
2007-10-30 02:45:40 · answer #3 · answered by Shelly J 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Its important to remember that no one ever died of throwing a fit. So you turn off the TV and he throws a fit.. eventually he has to stop. Do you give verbal cues before turning off the TV? "Ok, 5 minutes left.." "Ok 2 minutes.." He's 4, he definitely shouldn't be watching a ton of TV. Does he look to color? Maybe you could roll some of his favorite TV shows into activities you could do together. Print out some coloring pages of his favorite characters, make a book, ask him to tell you about a story.. Set a routine and a set time for TV time, that way he knows when its expected that he can watch TV.
2007-10-30 02:24:41 · answer #4 · answered by Denise S 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Unplug the TV. Let him throw a fit. You are the parent. He is the child. Take him to the park, show him how to do a new craft, have him help you with chores, and just keep him busy. Explain that if he's well behaved during the day he gets a half-hour of TV before he goes to bed. It's really that simple.
2007-10-30 02:18:20 · answer #5 · answered by .vato. 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The biggest mistake you can make is to give in to him. You are teaching him that he can get his way if he throws a fit. As soon as he starts to misbehave put him in a room with no toys, tv or anything to amuse him. Keep him there for at least 15 mins. Repeat as necessary. He will learn that bad behavior does not get him what he wants.
You have to be tough or he will run your household. Imagine what will happen when he's a teen if you don't act like a parent now.
2007-10-30 02:51:55 · answer #6 · answered by notyou311 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No means no. No matter how much of a fit he throws. Trust me, if you give in he is learning a lesson that will haunt you for years.
Explain to him that If he can't handle watching a limited amount of TV, he can't watch any. period. Stick to what you say and don't budge.
Give him other distractions. Read to him, take him outside or to a park. give him crayons and paper.. Don't make him sit there doing nothing.
Be consistent. You are the boss.
Good luck!
2007-10-30 03:24:59 · answer #7 · answered by Lucky 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am a stepparent (part-time). I would say that since you are the parent, you decide when enough is enough.
Let him throw a fit. Put him in time out. Take away favorite toys for time. Or do something else with him.
No more tv now but let's do this... Maybe he needs help with finding other things to do.
2007-10-30 02:22:07 · answer #8 · answered by Unsub29 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Continue to limit his television, and when he throws a tantrum, walk away. At this age, he's going to test you in this manner and not reacting will take the "steam" out of his tantrum. If you have to, unplug the television/disable it. Once he's through with the tantrum, find him something to do. If found that "helping mommy" worked well. You have to stand firm as this is a key point where you will set the pace for other "negotiations" if you're not careful.
2007-10-30 02:18:41 · answer #9 · answered by dark_storm73 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Throw the TV out of the house and he won't watch TV anymore. Send him to his room to play.
2007-10-30 05:20:21 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋