3yo obsessed with TV

[HotSteppa]

Just that really. We tend to have the TV on in our room for an hour or so in the morning just so my husband and I can pretend to be asleep for a bit longer (kids usually up at 6) but once we are downstairs it usually stays off until the afternoon when everyone is tired and ready for some down time. It just bothers me the effect it has on her, she's totally zombified by it, if we are having a lazy day she would happily watch it morning till night with barely a word. Then there's the dramas around turning it off. My husband has started letting her use the tablet too and cbeebies app on his phone so would say it's not unusual for her to have around 4hrs screen time a day. To much or an I being precious?

[Schmoochypoos]

I think 4hours is a lot to be honest, I have DS3.5 and DS1.5 and the tv is on in the morning, so from about 530/630 until 630/7 when we have breakfast. Then it's switched off and they are generally happy to potter about with toys until we go to nursery/playgroup etc.

It's then occasionally switched on again after lunch when DS1 comes home from nursery and he needs some quiet time and DS2 is napping. Then I try not to have it back on again as like you say it's an argument to get it switched off! They would rather play with me but I don't always have time with housework etc so that's what I try and save it for. We went through a phase of using the iPad but have again decided it does more harm than good in the long run.

Surely she'd rather play a game, go for a walk, colouring than watching the tv all the time? I'd guess it's just habit she's asking for it because it's easy?

[SavoyCabbage]

I remember feeling my dd was addicted to tv. Dora the explorer. So we only started letting her watch tv before bed when she was in her pyjamas. Then when she asked during the day I could say 'yes you can watch Dora before bed in your jamas'. She would know she was getting some tv later which did eventually make her stop asking for it all the live long day.

I think she would have got up at the crack of dawn if she thought she could have tv. She got up ridiculously early on her birthday this year and so on Christmas Eve we had to say to her 'when you wake up, just turn over and go back to sleep'.

Maybe your morning routine needs do be more boring!

[chloechloe]

4 hours is a lot in my view! 6am is not so early for littles ones to be up. Would it not be better that you and DH take it in turns to get up and go downstairs without any TV on. You will sleep better then than with the TV on and kids in the room.

I hide the remote so the TV can't be switched on - easier than avoiding the drama when it gets switched off.

[ElleDubloo]

4 hours is a lot for a 3 year old (or anyone). My 2.5 year old DD is obsessed with cartoons too. She wakes up from sleep and one of the first things she asks for is Iggle Piggle or Peter Rabbit or one of the Youtube nursery rhyme videos. I spend quite a lot of time throughout the day warding off requests for screen time. In the end, we've arrived at a deal where she gets to watch 30 minutes a day while I'm cooking dinner. Like SavoyCabbage says, this seems to placate her in the mornings as she knows she'll get some TV later in the day.

TV first thing in the morning... I'm not sure that's a good incentive for them to stay asleep

[HotSteppa]

Yep OK, I hear what your saying. To be honest I reckon 4hrs is a high estimate. But still I guess if I have to ask it's probably a bit much I think it's become more of an issue recently as it's felt like 40 days and 40 nights of constant rain and even all geared up its a bit miserable outside much of the time so I have been turning the TV on in the afternoon for a bit of peace and quite (I'm at home 4 days, nursery for 3) as someone said earlier surely she would rather play a game? Often no!! I will be suggesting duplo , dolls, drawing and she will whine for TV. Also whilst it's on its effect are so noticeable. She is hypnotised. Her little brother 2yo doesn't give 2 hoots, it holds his attention for 10mins and he's off. But I will be trying to cut it down at both ends of the day. Today we have had an hour in the morning and about 45mins while I was sorting tea .

[chloechloe]

It's a lot harder in winter isn't it when the days are so short and the weather is horrible!?