To be jealous of this ?

[twirlywoo12]

Every time I see a mum of a toddler say on social media " film day" " chilling film day" with their toddler ( pic of toddler sat there chilling enjoying the movie ) I just think what am I doing wrong ?

My toddler never sits still . He will be 2 in a few months and doesn't stop moving from the moment he wakes until bed . He will just about sit still for a meal that's it .

Social media is often full of exaggeration and even lies op. Yes there may be the odd couple of toddlers who do sit and watch a film but the person who has wrote on social media isn’t saying that the child watched the whole film are they?

Some people document every part of their lives just because. Others do it for attention and validation.

Don’t be jealous of this. There will come w point when your child enjoys doing this too but take what you read on social media with a pinch of salt.

They've taken a photo or two of their toddler sitting still in front of a film.

Do they give any indication of what's happening during the other 98% of the time the film is running?

Don't be jealous. You could put your toddler on a chair with a book and caption it 'chilling with Tolstoy' wouldn't mean your child is reading 'War and Peace' though, would it?

Don't believe everything you read/see online.

my 11 year old will rarely sit through something with me.... they probably caught them for the nanosecond they were still!

I wouldn't worry about it

@twirlywoo12 you are not alone. I genuinely thought it was something I was doing wrong as my DS won't sit still either. I did discover recently that the Snail & the Whale captures his attention for a short time buts that's it x

I know what you mean but I don’t see it as a great thing for a 2 year old to be able to sit still for that long. Even at 3 my DD can’t manage a whole film as she wants to be up and playing and im glad she’s like that. I’m not so sure that those posts are genuine.

Mine won't either. He'll be two at the end of December.

It is a snapshot for social media purposes of the 1 minute they sat still! No toddler of mine ever had the concentration for a film! DD was about 6 before she could genuinely enjoy a film, DS is 5 and a half and still can't watch anything long.

Do you actually think you’re doing something wrong?

Surely what you mean is that your toddler doesn’t sit still much, and you’re a bit jealous that it would be convenient if you had the type that did.

If you actually think you’re doing something wrong, you need to stop being so influenced by social media!

It's social media aka bullshit

I used to have film days with my dc when they were toddlers. I watched the film and they whined, moaned and trashed the house. It was great.

There's nothing wrong with a bit of cbeebies for a toddler but 2 year olds aren't designed to be passive. They should be busy exploring their world. I wouldn't be impressed by a 2 year old who can sit still and watch a whole film.

You're not doing anything wrong.

Some small children will sit through a film or unlimited episodes of Thomas, Peppa or whatever their current obsession is...

But the VAST majority will not. Bribe them with a snack, take a photo, brag on social media - then watch them race around for rest of the time!

It's a snapshot - that's ALL

In a few years you'll be posting to ask why all these kids are into sport & yours just want to
play whatever the future equivalent is of computer games! ''Twas ever thus!

Don't just your life by their SM posts!!

Haha, when my DD was that age she wouldn’t sit still for more than 60 seconds. Surely it can’t be good for young children to sit still for so long anyway? I wouldn’t worry!

I find it weird and a bit sad when kids have been taught to sit and watch films before the age of 3. I say taught because it’s not normal for a small child to sit for so long at a time when they’re that young, so only very repeated exposure would do it.

I know how you feel OP. My DS was and still is like that. Never watch a film at home together, never had a sofa day, he's never ill. Feel like I've missed out, lol. (I mean that I can't get him to stay in one place and snuggle up all day).

My boy is 15 months, and he’s never watched any tv for more than about 15 minutes. I’m not jealous, I have an active happy boy who prefers to interact and play than watch tv.

Put a photo up of your toddler watching the Blair Witch Project and entitle it "Enjoying a Chilling Film Day".

Ha! When mine were toddlers putting a film on involved them trashing the front room because they needed to play with their toys/act out their favourite bits while they watched. They might have sat still long enough for a quick picture if I was so inclined but they wouldn’t stay that way for longer than the opening credits.

I wouldn't be jealous. If you find a film that holds your toddlers attention for any length of time the likelihood is you'll be made to watch it over. And over. And over again.

I'm looking at you, Moana.

Kids are so different. We have 6 between us and of them 1 would have sat for a film as a toddler. Whereas another doesn't have the attention span for films at 18!

It's just a snapshot as well.

I promise you my toddler, who's 3. Has never ever sat through a full episode of paw patrol let alone a film! I was thinking this exact same thing, even at nursery the mums are like oh my little one loves sitting and watching this and that. Your not alone! My mum texts me and tells me to stick a film on and get snuggled up, I dont even attempt it anymore.

@sapnupuas

I wouldn't be jealous. If you find a film that holds your toddlers attention for any length of time the likelihood is you'll be made to watch it over. And over. And over again.

I'm looking at you, Moana.

What can she say expect your welcome? 🤣

Hang in there. Mine was like this, then aged 3 he suddenly decided he liked screens, paw patrol, Thomas and Fireman Sam films were a god send. It's not great for under 2s to watch screens anyway, enjoy playing cars or blocks or trains or whatever he's into while you can.

Mine wouldn't have done that at 2, 3 maybe. It's not good for them if they don't understand what's going on really.

DS - 2 1/2 will also not sit for more than 10 minutes without getting bored. Even if he does watch something for more than 10 minutes he will get up and start walking around whilst watching TV. I also feel the same a lot of the time, but if i actually see them there kids are nothing like what they describe on the internet.
What is interesting that I took him to our local Luxe Cinema before Covid and he actually sat through the whole movie without a peep! Got him a little snack box with chocolate, popcorn and a fruitshoot and it was like sitting with a 5 year old! maybe it was because it was so dark.