Stopping screen time for a toddler after a stressful few months

[ThatLoudCat]

We've had a busy and stressful couple of months (new baby and an international move) and we started to let our almost two year old watch some TV.

We're now getting settled again and I really want to stop. I think it is affecting her behaviour and I hate that she begs for TV constantly. She also gets upset when it's time for the TV to go off.

So, if you stopped screen time, how did it go and did you notice an improvement in behaviour?

What is she watching? How
long for? You can, of course, stop her watching it if you believe it’s having a negative effect. You just have to be prepared to ignore the tantrums for a while. Short periods of decent tv - we only ever watched the best things on CBeebies until they were about 5 - shouldn’t be that big a deal. But if you want to limit it then you have to set your limits and enforce them consistently. For the most part toddlers beg for stuff because they’ve learned that if they keep it up someone will, sometimes, give in.
Like with all things with small children you have to push through the tantrums if you believe it is in their best interests.

I had this after a new baby, instead of just saying no tv. I’d get her involved in an activity then turn the tv off or put radio on instead and just say oh we don’t need that on when we’re playing.
Having said that a little bit of tv doesn’t do any harm.

I think a trap most of us are prone ti falling into is making tv a reward. Just have it as a part of a day where you do lots of other stuff, it should never be the ‘best’ thing or the ‘treat’. I think a bit of tv has its place (mainly so I can sit in peace for half an hour or do something I need to do) and it doesn’t have to be bad at all, some kids shows are great, but I keep it casual and try to never say ‘if you play nicely for a bit you can have tv’ or, if you help mummy in the shops you can have some tv when we get home’. I might just pop it on at a time of my choosing without making a big deal about it, but I point blank ignore a tantrum when I decide to turn it off (I always give a warning or wait until the end of an episode though, I’m not a monster)

Definite improvement. We found films were fine but episodes, omg, just awful.

I mentally prepared like a school schedule of activities, like reading, art, PE (Park!), baking, playtime, chore, plus a day trip (shop, library etc).

DD is now older and only watched TV twice over summer, not because I object to it per se, but she was doing exactly what you describe: "and then canni watch TV?" 🙄 I got so fed up of it and tbh it only took a clear rule about no TV to stop that.

But yeah, plan a schedule and make a blanket rule would be my advice. And films are better than episodes by a mile. Studio Ghibli films were lovely.

My older one also loves reading and audio books with some crafting at the table so that might be good when DC is older too.

I really wouldn't mind a bit of TV, if I could turn it off without her throwing herself to the ground and screaming. Plus the constant begging and then even more screaming when she doesn't get more TV.

I never give into the begging but she still does it all day. It's seeming like more trouble than it's worth for a 20 minute break.

She watches Kipper the dog, little bear, Peppa and Bluey.

I am honestly struggling though. The baby won't be put down for a nap so he's grumpy and overtired because I can't just sit and hold him all day. The toddler gets upset because I can't play properly because I'm trying to get the baby to sleep or at least be content so I can give toddler my full attention. I just can't get a routine to stick and I don't get a minute all day without one of them crying. I'm so stressed with it all and I don't know how other mums do it.

Finally got baby to sleep again, waited until he was in a deep sleep and attempted to put him down. Immediate screaming. Toddler crying too. I haven't eaten breakfast yet. I don't know what to do.