Constantly asking to watch tv

I've found having it a bit routiney helps (slightly) prevent constant asking. So during the hols they know the TV goes off after breakfast and then it goes back on again at the end of the day when the toys have been tidied up so I can cook tea in peace.

You could always just say no it really doesn't take long for them to start using their imagination and play or do art. Im a cm when older children start they are board for a bit then suddenly start playing screens are just easy go too things

I don’t think the quick fire things are good at all - they fuck with concentration and are designed to be addictive.

So just ban anything you don’t want her seeing.

Just have a clear rule about when and what she can watch, and ignore it any requests outside that.

I think it's best to just have a clear policy and repeat, repeat, repeat. They will eventually get it.

Maybe an hour after lunch? Or just after dinner? On only on the weekend?

Just explain to her that there is a new policy and then stick to it. She will get the message.

In all honesty, I would consider taking YouTube off or seriously restricting what can be seen on it. That kind of watching is particularly addictive and damaging to attention spans. It's often associated with behaviour difficulties, anecdotally.

There's loads of research that shows TV isn't educational. It's passive and children don't engage in it in the same way they learn from experiences or other people. If it were educational, teaching would be a whole lot easier and cheaper. If you need it for your own sanity then fine, or because you want your child to do something they enjoy, but don't kid yourself it's good for them.

Unpopular opinion here but I don't see the problem with it. Especially when the weather is so rubbish. When mine were small they would watch tv in the morning for an hour or so and then after lunch for a bit. When it was nice out the patio doors would be open and they were in and out so definitely easier. It's hard to entertain them all day and some programs are quite educational. I worked from home some days and I hate to say it but it was the only way I could keep them quiet and not arguing if I was on a call. I'm afraid it only gets worse when they are older!

How about some audio books? You can access the Libby app (or similar) with your public library ID. Great for listening skills and vocabulary; needs a bit more mental effort than television.

If otherwise she’s out and about I see no issue with some tv

But if your out a lot why not give her some freedom as to how she relaxes? As others have said when it’s not too restricted she will most likely wander off to do something else after a while anyway.

you risk turning it into a battle ground when all you both want to do is be able to relax a bit

now she’d sit and watch for ages if allowed

Genuine question: do you think that's because she's hooked on staring at the screen, or do you think that's just because now that she's a little older, she's got enough concentration span to stick with watching something for longer, rather than getting bored before the story's unfolded? I obviously don't know the answer, but I've just suddenly wondered whether we sometimes mistake one for the other? I don't know.

I think it really depends on what she watches. I doubt I'd want a five-year-old to sit there all day watching terrible American guff full of adverts on Nickelodeon. But sitting quietly and concentrating on a well-made film, following the story and really engaging with it, is a different matter. I actually have very happy memories of watching films on TV on wet afternoons at home during the school holidays. I probably saw a lot of classic children's/family films that way and I did grow up with a love of cinema.

jannier · Today 16:08
Often they play better with less choice too much and it's overwhelming

I think this is true.. Kids could become used to being constantly stimulated.

This could be why kids in the past used their imaginations. We weren't exposed to the range on offer to kids today designed to fill their time.

One is a toddler and so not really a playmate. It worked for my older child for a long time before the sibling was born/when they were a baby.

If we were home, I didn’t restrict TV. They would often play with toys at the same time or if they sat and watched properly, they’d go off and do something else after a couple of hours. As long as they’re doing a variety of stuff over the week, and getting outside, I didn’t worry about it.

Mine are teenagers now and like screen time but do lots of sport, see friends, etc. Screens are not the enemy.

Time of day limits worked well for us for years. We did no TV before lunch, ever, and tried to go out somewhere most afternoons to go either day a bit of structure, which limited the amount of hours available. Let the rules do the work - the only thing is then you have to stick to them too.

I remember as a kid learning how to occupy myself and using my imagination

Yes me too but we only had 3 tv channels and the children's tv slot was short, maybe 2 hours every evening before the 6pm news came on. Saturdays were best after being dragged round the market in town because supermarkets shut at 5.30pm and both my parents worked full time.

Mine had tv slots when they were younger so they could watch tv at certain points in the day but tv is entertaining, there are lots of great tv programs on there. We are watching Bluey even though my youngest child is 17. If your child is an only child then it is hard for them to play by themselves all the time and find things to do. Bluey shows children how to play using their imagination, it could give her lots of ideas.

Is she an only child?

It sounds like she has a range of things already to keep her stimulated. TV should be the last resort.

Continue to meet up with other parents or have one of her friends round or a cousin and vice versa?

Have you tried the library and seen what books might interest her? My local library had a toy library.

Also, some libraries have activities for kids during school holidays.

Or how about taking her to the park when the weather is good (if there's one near you) You could meet up with another parent at the park.

Or once a week maybe she could go swimming if there's a pool with kids pool near you.

Is there anything she is interested in that she could do as a hobby?

DS likes it when I get something specific out, so he's having breakfast and I've got the train set out and started building it in the living room, or I've got the big box of Duplo, Lego and magformers out, bonus points if it's something he hasn't played with for a while. I play with him but then if I have other things to do he gets on with it

Do you have more than one child? Because I imagine that helps immensely