To expect my 4 year old to sit quietly for an hour

[Soph88]

All I wanted was to watch the big questions. It's a debate show so need to be able to hear it. She was colouring for a bit (perfect), then started harassing the cat, then the singing started! I tried asking nicely and bribery. I then threatened sending her to her room. I reckon added up she managed 20 mins of being quiet in total.
She just couldn't manage to sit quietly for me and I feel a bit like I was expecting too much from her.
Would you expect a 4 yo to sit for a hour quietly (with toys, colouring etc)?

Blimey OP can't you record it/ watch on catch up once she's in bed?
That would normally be the only way to watch adult TV when you have little ones to entertain IMO.

She told me I didn't have any best friends! That was mean!

How can four year-old be mean to an adult?

Assuming you are an adult.

I also think that making a fuss in the middle of her programme is a complete waste of time in teaching her not to interrupt yours. Four year old brains don't easily understand that other people have different priorities and interests to them, so all they'll take from that is that it's ok to interrupt people because adults do that too, and that adults are unpredictable and can't be relied on to be consistent, which will give you many more problems later on.

At 4 20 mins was very good !
Why couldnt you sit and “colour” with her whilst watching over her shoulder the show ? An odd “lovely”, “well done” “ hmm hmmm “ and few nods and smiles She would of been happy .
Subtitles ? Record the show ?
Your very mean IMHO ! Why threaten to be sending her to her room for what ?singing ? and you are expecting way to much ! Be nicer to her !

I remember when I used to desperately try to watch little snippets of the tennis when Wimbledon was on. It used to be 15 minutes in total, then one of the DDs would ask to watch CBeebies or an argument would break out between them.

I could only really watch it when my DH was back from work, or the highlights programme!

Yeah. Record it and watch it in your own time. She's only 4.

I have three children ages 2, 3.5 and 5.5 and the only way I get to watch things is when they're asleep haha.

Or subtitles

That's what the pause button is for

It can take us a couple of hours to watch a 45 min programme if our boys are around - and they are 16 & 18

They always have some Very Important Information to impart to us around 9/10pm - it's so important it can't possibly wait despite them having been home since 3pm

YABU

Give her an iPad with earphones? Or you could watch it on the iPad with earphones?

I'm lucky if I can get my 4 year old to stop talking for a minute never mind an hour!

He. Never. Bloody.Stops.

He even talks to himself as he's going to sleep!

Dd1 would have managed it easily. Dd2 would manage it with bribery, D's would struggle to do that now aged 10yo.

Yeh right, I think the average teenager would have a problem sitting still for that time.

We still have the subtitles on and our eldest is four. I'm not sure I'll ever take them off now, I'm used to them.

Not a solid hour not at four (unless she's snuggled on the sofa with Haribo and Frozen) I'd always expect some interuptions etc.

I struggle to sit quietly for an hour and I'm 43

She's normally very good at sitting and colouring with minimal noise and I'm sure she has done it for at least 40 mins before. She will do it while I'm cooking dinner etc. It seemed that cause I asked her to sit quietly that caused the issue. I think the poster who said I set the tv up against her for my attention was right. I will avoid that in future.

I did help her with her colouring and did respond to her questions. I never told her to shut up! I would never speak to her like that. I asked her nicely to be quiet but I think had I not said anything she might have been quieter for longer. She is very happily making all the noise she want now.

As I said I didn't record it cause my mum and I like to discuss it at Sunday dinner.

"I feel a bit like I was expecting too much from her. "

Yes you were.

So now what?

I hope you remember all this when your future DD's teacher says she can't be quiet for an hour.

I second the poster who says it sounds like hoot round your house! . God help you if you had three, noisy boys: I would luxuriate in 20 quiet minutes! That's why I'm off to meet my girlfriends for afternoon tea- although if we could all.just lie on a bed instead i think we would.
When you have kids you change routines(like watching Sunday morning shows!). Like a PP said, multitask- i keep an eye on something ( Location Location Location this morning) whilst i ' hmmm' Great colour selection ' ' find the corner piece' etc with DS3 with sad.

*asd not sad

At 4 she's still developing her vocabulary OP. Encouraging her to chat and playing with her is really important. Watch your TV at night and make the huge sacrifice (!) of not being able to discuss it with your mum.

Blimey I wouldn't even bother attempting to try to watch a programme with teenagers in the house let alone a young child.Record it to watch in peace later.

My 8yo DSD can't play by herself for longer than 10 minutes. Some kids like being entertained, as annoying as it can be.

During the course of an hour my 10 year old would normally disrupt me at least 4 times. At 4 years ld you are being completely unrealistic.