TV before bed?

[Minki]

Worried that my 4 and 6 year old are watching too much. The TV tends to go on at 6.30 after dinner/bath etc and stays on until 7.30/7.45 or even 8. Problem is that I get home from work at 7pm and want to spend "quality time" with them and they are glued to the TV. I also really struggle to get them to switch it off which means that bedtime gets later and later. I am considering banning TV in the week but think I will face a massive backlash plus I tend to us it as a reward for treats or withdraw it as a punishment for bad behaviour. Interested to know how much TV other kids of the same age watch in the week and whether this is before bed and, if so, how you fit in reading/play/quality time with them etc.

[NoraRobertsismyguiltypleasure]

Why don't you say they can watch until you get home and then it goes off? If it is something they particularly want to watch, can you record it?
Let them watch a bigger chunk of tv at weekends.
You, of course, will have a backlash at changing what they're used to, but they will get over it.

[TryingNotToLaugh]

At that time of night quality time can be having a snuggle on the couch and enjoying a bit of tv together. Try this:

Sit down on couch with them, at the beginning of the last programme tell them clearly that the telly's going off at the end.

Enjoy the programme with them

When it finishes just turn the tv off with no preamble or discussion

Ignore any complaints, tantrums etc

Take them upstairs using conversation from the programme to keep you moving: "wasn't that funny when...., I'm looking forward to seeing x tomorrow night" etc.

Teeth, stories etc.

I used to get them up the stairs with the "last one up the stairs is a..." trick, or double piggyback (one on the front, one on the back) etc. failing that, they lost their stories if they played up.

Mine probably watched 2 hours of tv a day at that age. Interestingly, it's probably less now at ages 11 and 9.

[Doublethecuddles]

My DC are 7 and it varies how much TV they watch, but on average on hour per day, but somedays none. We normally watch TV in the morning as Deadly 60 is on. I do t mind this as it saves all the toys coming out before school!
We only watch CBBC which finishes at 7pm. After this we may play a game, or read a story. Bedtime is 8.00pm.

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

Trying's post is good and what I would do.

[Purpleflamingos]

My method is similar to trying.

Tv goes off at 7pm if its on (it usually is, we eat around 6pm and I wash up afterwards, clear away, wipe the table down and reset it for breakfast) so they get to watch the last of cbeebies.

Tv off. Normally chased upstairs with teasing threats of 'I'm going to tickle the last one up the stairs'.

Then they choose stories whilst I assemble toothbrushes and pyjamas in one room. I help them get ready for bed, we have stories and snuggles, then it's sleeptime.

Sleep time is when we start with 'I need a drink', 'I'm hungry', 'I need you mummy'......