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Toddler addicted to TV

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PitterPatter11
Baby Boy is Here!

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Momma <3

Toddler addicted to TV

I rarely let my DS watch TV. I try to save it for when we take long car trips or when I really need to get stuff done. DH let's him watch it more frequently when I am out.

When we do let him watch TV, he becomes obsessed with it. He sits on the couch quietly and is totally engrossed in the show. For example, DH picked DS up from daycare today and let him watch TV. I get home and make dinner. We start telling him a few minutes before that we are going to turn off the TV and eat. So, we turn off TV and all hell breaks lose. DS is hysterical crying that he wants his show back on. Tears, kicking, etc. full on 2 year old tantrum. But it doesn't end!! He keeps going the entire time we eat dinner and then some and he doesn't eat anything.

I obviously know one way to avoid this is to cut out all TV, but does anyone have any other suggestions?

Other than this TV issue, he rarely had tantrums.

Posted 12/2/16 8:39 PM
 
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PregowithTwins
My boys turned 8

Member since 5/11

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Toddler addicted to TV

I would totally limit him to 1 hr day or whatever your limit is.
I also NEVER turn off during a show & would suggest give a warning 10 min more, 5 min more...etc Maybe even set a timer so when beep goes, time is up. We use our microwave for bedtime timer. I have 5yr old twins

Posted 12/2/16 9:04 PM
 

gina409
TWINS!

Member since 12/09

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g

Re: Toddler addicted to TV

I think it's just a toddler reaction to something he really wants and he can't have no more

Posted 12/2/16 9:06 PM
 

PitterPatter11
Baby Boy is Here!

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Momma <3

Re: Toddler addicted to TV

Posted by PregowithTwins

I would totally limit him to 1 hr day or whatever your limit is.
I also NEVER turn off during a show & would suggest give a warning 10 min more, 5 min more...etc Maybe even set a timer so when beep goes, time is up. We use our microwave for bedtime timer. I have 5yr old twins



He normally watches 0 minutes of TV during the week. Maybe one weeknight, we let him watch 30-60 minutes.

His reaction is the same if it's the end of the show or in the middle.

We tell him he has 5 minutes, 1 minute, etc left but he's 2 so has no concept of time.

We set a timer using Alexa, but he doesn't care and still has a tantrum.

Posted 12/2/16 9:15 PM
 

mnmsoinlove
Mommy to 2 sweet girls!

Member since 3/09

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Melissa

Re: Toddler addicted to TV

Posted by gina409

I think it's just a toddler reaction to something he really wants and he can't have no more



Yep that's how my girls reacted when they were toddlers to everything that didn't go their way. To really avoid the tantrum just don't turn on the TV. Other than setting a timer not sure what else you can do. My guess is whether he watched 5 mins or 5 hours he will always want more.

Posted 12/2/16 9:44 PM
 

Summergrl14
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Member since 4/16

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Toddler addicted to TV

We started to count to 10 before turning it off. I will say I'm going to count to 10 and then it gets turned off. I will also say that we are only watching one episode and then turning it off. It doesn't always work, but it's helped. Unfortunately my DD is also addicted to the television.

Posted 12/3/16 5:34 PM
 

drpepper318
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Member since 6/07

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me

Re: Toddler addicted to TV

My kids are like that. I'm very firm, I tell them nope too bad tv is going off now. Once he figures out his tantrum isn't changing the result, he'll get more used to it. I think it's important that kids deal with disappointment and not getting their way all the time. Just stick with it. My one year old will actually hand me the remote or go over and turn on the tv himself... then I just turn it off again and remove him. It's frustrating to me because my mom who watches him while we work just leaves the tv on all day long and DH gets home first and puts shows on for them non stop... so they are spoiled by it. I hate it.

Posted 12/3/16 6:05 PM
 

WonderLady
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Toddler addicted to TV

Maybe you should let him watch more tv. Zero tv all week is pretty strict. My kids watch plenty of tv. Not sure what people are so afraid of. They also draw, build, play outside, etc. Maybe he wants it so bad since it's so restricted.

Posted 12/3/16 6:39 PM
 

M514
Hi

Member since 8/10

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Re: Toddler addicted to TV

Posted by WonderLady

Maybe you should let him watch more tv. Zero tv all week is pretty strict. My kids watch plenty of tv. Not sure what people are so afraid of. They also draw, build, play outside, etc. Maybe he wants it so bad since it's so restricted.



I was thinking along those lines too. Since it's so forbidden, he just "needs" to have it when you do let him. To him, it's a big deal.

Posted 12/3/16 9:16 PM
 

StaceyWill
It's a girl!!!

Member since 6/10

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Stacey

Re: Toddler addicted to TV

Posted by M514

Posted by WonderLady

Maybe you should let him watch more tv. Zero tv all week is pretty strict. My kids watch plenty of tv. Not sure what people are so afraid of. They also draw, build, play outside, etc. Maybe he wants it so bad since it's so restricted.



I was thinking along those lines too. Since it's so forbidden, he just "needs" to have it when you do let him. To him, it's a big deal.



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Posted 12/3/16 9:30 PM
 

PitterPatter11
Baby Boy is Here!

Member since 5/11

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Momma <3

Re: Toddler addicted to TV

Posted by StaceyWill

Posted by M514

Posted by WonderLady

Maybe you should let him watch more tv. Zero tv all week is pretty strict. My kids watch plenty of tv. Not sure what people are so afraid of. They also draw, build, play outside, etc. Maybe he wants it so bad since it's so restricted.



I was thinking along those lines too. Since it's so forbidden, he just "needs" to have it when you do let him. To him, it's a big deal.



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There's really no time during the week to let him watch it. We get home, make dinner, eat, take a bath, and then he goes to bed.

And we've let him watch more and he still acts the same way. I try to avoid turning on the TV since it leads to a tantrum EVERY. SINGLE. TIME.

My main issue with TV is he gets so engrossed and doesn't play when it's on and will only somewhat interact with us. I only get to see him for a few hours a day and would prefer him not to be a TV zombie during that time.

Posted 12/4/16 6:44 AM
 

Leb
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Member since 12/09

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Re: Toddler addicted to TV

Posted by StaceyWill

Posted by M514

Posted by WonderLady

Maybe you should let him watch more tv. Zero tv all week is pretty strict. My kids watch plenty of tv. Not sure what people are so afraid of. They also draw, build, play outside, etc. Maybe he wants it so bad since it's so restricted.



I was thinking along those lines too. Since it's so forbidden, he just "needs" to have it when you do let him. To him, it's a big deal.



Chat Icon



I thought this too. Can you let him watch a show that you've recorded on the dvr? When that show ends the tv kind of stops and that's when you can say okay tv is over, you don't even have to actually turn the tv off.

Posted 12/4/16 10:45 PM
 

Mrs213
????????

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Re: Toddler addicted to TV

Posted by M514

Posted by WonderLady

Maybe you should let him watch more tv. Zero tv all week is pretty strict. My kids watch plenty of tv. Not sure what people are so afraid of. They also draw, build, play outside, etc. Maybe he wants it so bad since it's so restricted.



I was thinking along those lines too. Since it's so forbidden, he just "needs" to have it when you do let him. To him, it's a big deal.




Totally agree.

Posted 12/5/16 1:32 PM
 

PitterPatter11
Baby Boy is Here!

Member since 5/11

7632 total posts

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Momma <3

Toddler addicted to TV

When do people find time to let their kids watch TV during the week? The only time he might have is when I'm making dinner and usually he helps me.

How much TV does your 2.5 year old watch on a weeknight (if you work)?

During the weekend, he watches probably 30-90 minutes.

Posted 12/5/16 1:41 PM
 

NYCGirl80
I love my kiddies!

Member since 5/11

10413 total posts

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Re: Toddler addicted to TV

It doesn't sound like he's addicted to TV - I agree with the others that he's probably too restricted.

DS gets to watch an hour of tv during the week before bed. It started when I needed time to feed my baby and put her to bed, and has continued now that she's older. So he gets to watch 2 shows. Then we read 2-3 books and he goes to sleep. DH and I both work and this is our schedule.

Posted 12/5/16 1:47 PM
 

MrsT809
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Re: Toddler addicted to TV

Posted by Leb

Posted by StaceyWill

Posted by M514

Posted by WonderLady

Maybe you should let him watch more tv. Zero tv all week is pretty strict. My kids watch plenty of tv. Not sure what people are so afraid of. They also draw, build, play outside, etc. Maybe he wants it so bad since it's so restricted.



I was thinking along those lines too. Since it's so forbidden, he just "needs" to have it when you do let him. To him, it's a big deal.



Chat Icon



I thought this too. Can you let him watch a show that you've recorded on the dvr? When that show ends the tv kind of stops and that's when you can say okay tv is over, you don't even have to actually turn the tv off.



I like this idea. When we struggled with this I always made sure to turn it off before the next show started which is tricky with channels like Disney Jr.

I do agree that maybe watching more would help in the long run but I see your point since you have limited time with him. I would want to spend that time together in your shoes too. Maybe play music instead of putting on the tv before dinner.

Posted 12/5/16 2:38 PM
 

nycgirl
Angels!

Member since 3/09

7721 total posts

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Re: Toddler addicted to TV

I think the full on tantrum is totally normal. It's no addiction.
After 3 kids, my view of tv is more lax... but we certainly don't watch much (10 minutes in AM before bus), 1 show on occasion in PM. Usually nothing on weekends.

I agree cc DVR shows or on demand. You give one show. Even if I turned off the TV for my 40 yo hubby, he would tantrum!

Posted 12/5/16 2:48 PM
 

VickiC
Rocking the party

Member since 5/05

4937 total posts

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Vicki

Toddler addicted to TV

I don't know, my TV is on all the time, always has been. He plays all day when the TV is on. Lots of times I have Disney channel or Nick Jr. on, but I also put Music Choice on and listen to music on the TV. I basically use it as background noise. We often eat dinner with one of the music channels playing.

He's 6 now, and I guess bc the TV has always been on, he's never really thrown a tantrum when we turn it off. He does get huffy sometimes when we want to turn on "our" shows, but then we just explain that we all share the TV.

If you have no time during the week, just turn the TV on when you make dinner and put it to the music stations. That way he'll get used to it being on, but not necessarily to a show.

Posted 12/5/16 11:24 PM
 

Jenn627
Laaaaaaaambert!

Member since 5/08

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Jenn

Re: Toddler addicted to TV

We just went through it. Lasted maybe three days.

If you can muscle through, it's life changing ????????????????????

Posted 12/6/16 3:44 AM
 

ml110
LIF Adult

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Re: Toddler addicted to TV

Posted by PitterPatter11

When do people find time to let their kids watch TV during the week? The only time he might have is when I'm making dinner and usually he helps me.

How much TV does your 2.5 year old watch on a weeknight (if you work)?

During the weekend, he watches probably 30-90 minutes.



my son is 6... but he has 2-3 hours of screen time A DAY probably. I'm WAY too lax about it, but it is what it is :-/ he's an only child, no cousins either, no family anywhere close that comes over to entertain him or whatever, and its tough to get together with his little friends ( they have their own things going on).... we can't always sit and play with him,and I can't really blame him for not wanting to play by himself all.the.time.
he gets home from kindergarten at 3:30, and i'm home then. so he usually watches some Netflix on his iPad for an hour or so while he has his snack and winds down from the school day. then from 4:30-5 or so we do his homework. Then a lot of times he'll go back on his iPad while i'll get dinner going, or sometimes i'll put music on and he'll play with his toys by himself for a half hour or so. THEN after dinner, he and DH like to play MineCraft on their iPads for 20-30 minutes before its time for bath and books and bed.
plus, he usually watches stuff in the AM while he's eating his breakfast before school. SO, yeah, about 2-3 hours a day. BUT he's social, his K teacher is saying he's above where he should be on a lot of stuff, that he's like the class clown and keeps them laughing in school, the other kids like him and he plays well with them.... SOOOO i really can't ask for more than that.
so, basically, just pay close attention to what your DS is watching and how he's doing socially and don't stress TOO much about the amount of time...

Posted 12/6/16 8:13 AM
 

KGools
Happy

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9532 total posts

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Kim

Re: Toddler addicted to TV

Posted by PitterPatter11

When do people find time to let their kids watch TV during the week? The only time he might have is when I'm making dinner and usually he helps me.

How much TV does your 2.5 year old watch on a weeknight (if you work)?

During the weekend, he watches probably 30-90 minutes.



I have a 3yo and a 6yo. I will turn on the tv, give him the ipad and put out snacks and crayons and paper after school so I can help the 6yo with homework. After dinner, we will watch TV as a family (bedtime is 7:30-8:00).

I truly think its the age. Both of my kids at that age would get so engrossed in the TV or Ipad. My 3yo is still that way, but my 6yo has gotten away from it and is more interested in building with Legos or drawing that zoning out in front of the TV.

Posted 12/6/16 8:45 AM
 
 

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