AnKsMommy

I'm having some problems with my toddler (two and a half) and the tv. I figured I would use her nap time to ask around and see if anyone had suggestions that way when she wakes up I can try some ideas.

Since I got pregnant with my second child my husband and I allowed the toddler to watch more tv than usual. Just to give us a break. :'( Yes, I know it's horrible. I would take her outside but I would tire after an hour and bring her back in, play and then give her some cartoons if she asked. Now that I've had the baby (five weeks old) I'm able to interact more and she doesn't want to play! While I'm nursing or doing something with baby she'll come around and play with me and baby with her dollys. The play time I can get out of her is anywhere between a half hour to an hour then she begs for tv. I've tried getting her to do different projects with me (wrap presents, color, crafts) and her interest in them last only a little while, or not at all. I try not to give in, but her cries will get so bad it'll upset the baby and I end up giving in to comfort the littler one. After that I try again and the whole thing just repeats over.

I'm willing to try ANYTHING! I want to be able to correct the problem we started before it gets too bad.

musicmom

I allowed mine to watch Blue's Clues, Bob the builder, Sesame Street, Dora the Explorer or any learning shows. I don't see the problem with them watching those shows.
What about getting programs such as Reader Rabbit Toddler for her? It's very easy to use. They are busy bodies at that age. You can only do what you can. Hang in there. Those times pass fast.

FooserX

Stop Giving In To Your Toddler!!!

Kaytee

I agree with Fooser, she knows if she screams at you long enough she will get to do what she wants. I would set up a time when she can watch tv, before nap, after nap whatever, then the tv is off

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Trina

I wouldn't go cold turkey, but as mentioned, set limits and stick to them. Continue to distract her with other activities if/when you don't want her watching TV. Personally, I think educational/kid appropriate TV is fine in moderation.

My kids are 22 mos. apart, and I vividly remember how difficult it was to cook meals when they were little. My youngest was a very high maintenance and fussy baby. I would wear her in a BabyBjorn carrier while preparing meals, and DS watched PBS. I thanked God for "Dragon Tales" at the time! LOL! It came on at 5:00, and was just long enough to keep DS's interest and allow me to prepare dinner. I see absolutely nothing wrong in using kid appropriate TV to that advantage, but I don't think it's a good idea to let them drone out in front of the TV for hours. Good for you for trying to change things! It will be tough but worthwhile in the long run.

FooserX

Sometimes I'll get wore out playing with my son too, and I just rent him a cartoon or something.

I can tell when he starts getting addicted to it. Like your son, he starts asking for it. Not in a spoiled brat way, just in a way that shows his priority for fun has become TV. Once he asks for it, that is my sign to stop letting him watch it.

wildrose

My daughter (16 months) has started asking for the TV and gets very upset if I don't turn it on. But what I've found is that if I put on children's shows she will just sit on the floor and watch, watch, watch. If I put on an adult show or even one of those music only channels, she play. If I turn off the TV she'll want if back on. So maybe she'll be content if you change the channel.

My other suggestion is to set a timer. Tell her she can watch TV until the timer goes "DING" then it is time to play, or story time, house cleaning with mom time or whatever appeals to her.

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poppysmum

Instead of putting the tv on why don't you play children's music that he can dance to instead?
One of my favorite cds for kids is Animals by kidstunesonline. I spend all
day with children and we don't use T.V just music and instruments to stimulate their minds'
Good luck

yulia

if I were you, I would have gotten rid of cable TV COMPLETELY (we, for example don't cable TV, we just watch movies that we rent/buy and read news in the internet). You can get few really good old Disney movies (for example) and tell your daughter that IF she wants to watch TV at all, she will have to pick only one movie a day and can watch half of it in the morning and another half, let's say, in the evening.
Later you can do half one day and another half the next one.

I notticed that you are in Japan. You have a GREAT movie director Hayao Miyazaki. His "Totoro" and "Kiki's Delivery Servis" are absolutely AWESOME, no sarcasm at all and are incredible movies. You can watch them in English as well. My kids LOVE them!