Things to do when you're 2!

[melbob]

My DH (who is a SAHD) is having a bit of a tough time with DS (2 y 3 mth) who loves television. CBeebies and DVD of Thomas etc. DH takes him to park or into gardena nd he has toys and plays all of which he love but DS just loves tv he really ineracts singalong talks does boogey beebies etc. Neither of us mind him watching some tv but he would watch it for hours if we leyt him. Poor DH ends up having battles with him on a regular basis we have to leave the plug out although DS can now put it in. I think it might be because he enjoys the interaction does anyone ahve any ideas as to how to lure him awa?

[MamaGlamourPuss]

messy stuff! Painting, gluing, sticking, play doh, chalk pics, crayon pics (are you getting the idea?!!)

A stick to prod things in the garden.

A Train set where DH gets on the floor with him and actually plays (does he do this?)

How about playing in his bedroom - away from teh TV, won't remind him that he wants to watch it?

[hunkermunker]

Take him to other places.

Go to the supermarket. Go to the local pet shop. Go to an aquarium or garden centre. Go swimming.

Any music groups locally? Would he like gymboree? Or is this not possible near you?

I would say don't encourage him to be fiddling with plugs though - too scary for such a little child (I'm assuming you mean the wall socket to the mains?)

[melbob]

Thanks MGP very helpful

He loves soft stuff and I have suiggested paint DH relecuctant because of mess but chlak is a good idea.

Has trainset that he and DH do. Dh is very good and plays with him. But he needs to play on his own (DS not Dh although,.........)

His room not a goer yet cos of the lay out of our house

gluing and sticking would be good. I havce got a few days of soon so often helps if I get things started.

[hunkermunker]

DS1 loves playing with sand.

Let him "wash up" - put plastic containers in the sink and let him play with them.

[melbob]

Thanks Hunker

Re plugs have now bought one of those asafety things and he absoklutley knows he mustn't touch but he still tries

He does Jo Jingles on Mondays and Dh takes him out a lot but DH needs to do tihngs at home

[CarolinaMoon]

we get around this by going to toddler groups, music groups, crafty-type groups etc. But it's not so easy for a lot of SAHDs, they can feel a bit conspicous in a bunch of mums I think.

[CarolinaMoon]

x-posted melbob.

I'm a SAHM and I don't do that stuff at home. We just potter about in the house or garden when we're not out. Maybe some crayons, but I can't bear the thought of getting a load of painting stuff or whatever set up only for ds to get bored after 30 seconds .

[terramum]

We had a similar problem with DS (26 months) recently but with videos instead of the tv. Luckily (or not depending on your POV!) he managed to break the video player so he cant watch them any more. He kept asking for all his videos for a few weeks, but eventually got the message! We only have 3 dvds that he likes & he seems to have gone off them for a while & as we dont have satelite or cable tv, only the 5 channels, he is only really interested in the tv for a short period of time when CITV is on ITV & cebeebies is on BBC2, & so he is playing more with his toys again. It also helps that our TV is in a separate room from all his toys so can be shut away from him if he looks like he wants to sit glued to it for too long.

I find the best things to keep DS occupied are all the messy play like painting, play dough, water play etc and letting him "help" me with the chores etc - dusting, sweeping the floor, unloading the dishwasher, hoovering etc. Also most things that involve lots of attention towards him like doing jigsaws & puzzles with him at his little table, reading to him, drawing pictures for him and helping him build towers with his bricks or lego etc.

[ghosty]

My DD (2.7) loves the television too and we have battles. The only answer is to stay consistent, don't give in, don't worry about the tantrums and battles, go out more, do other stuff as others have suggested and eventually he will get the message.

Like the "He only eats junk" argument (well, if you give him junk he will eat it) ... if you put the tv on he will watch it!

[sugarfree]

Do you have a patio or wall in the garden?My littlest loves to go out with a paintbrush and a bucket of water and 'paint' them.
They can use chalks out there too because it just washes off.

[sandcastles]

sugarfree..I like that idea...always trying ti find new things for dd to do!

[sugarfree]

Sandcastles,it's great on a sunny day it dries before they finish so they start again.(hours of fun in a deckchair with a magazine for Mummy!)

[throckenholt]

music cds that he can interact with maybe ?

Things mine liked - tractors and trailors, ride on car (they spend hours whizzing round on that - still do at 3.5 and 5), jigsawa, playdough.

[sandcastles]

wow...as summer is starting here soon that's a fab idea....dd loves water and it won't matter if she gets soaked.....