Telly addict toddler

[puredeedbrilliant]

So my toddler nearly 3 is a total telly addict!!! He always asks for a "wee programme" which I try and restrict.

Trouble is its the one thing that calms him down and gives me a bit of respite. but I always feel guilty and apparently it should only be 30 ins to an hour a day.

How much telly do you allow your little ones to watch? Thank you in advance!!!

When GD was little, if her mum turned off the television in living room, she'd walk through to the dining room and turn on the television there. Bit of a huff from GD as mum turned off that one too. :D

It's Sunday, it's cold and wet, nothing going on anywhere and a toddler climbing the walls without a bit of cbeebies.. a couple of hours already today is not the end of the world in this house. There'll probably be waybuloo later too so he can throw some shapes.

My daughter is 3, and since the winter started, its the only thing that I can do to keep her entertained during the day. She does other things too like painting and baking cakes and drawing. Some days I get worried as she will ask for movies like snow white or cinderella - watch half the film and then move back to the TV. I dont really worry about it alot though.
She goes to nursery for a full day on Mondays and then half days wednesday and Friday - she has a good social life and is a happy talkative little girl, and I dont really mind her watching telly during the day.

Once the spring starts we will be going out more, so right now I'm not worried about the TV. As long as it keeps her entertained and gives me 5 mins to myself! She's watching Little Bear on Tiny Pop right now - lol!

I dont think 30mins a day will hurt your son - as long as you think he is developing fine and is not totally addicted to it :)

I agree with the others...winter is long and as soon as the weather perks up we'll all be in the parks and playgrounds again.
We too do baking/playing etc but with an 8 month old (DD is nearly 3) we have relied on the tv a bit.

I wouldn't be too worried about how much TV your son watches, as long as you are aware of what he does watch.
I was told a while ago that the 'limits' you see on how much tv a child should have are aimed at those who would just use the TV as a sort of 'babysitter' and not think about what their child is watching. My son (2.5) does watch more tv than the official recommendations, however we are careful about what he watches, we make sure it's fun and educational stuff and that we interact with him and talk about what is on the screen. I'm convinced it's helping his speech development and understanding of objects etc

Thanks guys for your comments. Really helps to put it into perspective!! I too have a 7 month old so I think I might be being too hard on myself.

Thanks again and bring on the summer!!!!

I also have a telly addict child but now she is nearly 5 and much more dextorous with her hands she asks for it less and less. As long as she is getting a balance then don't worry too much. She also learnt loads from tv and would act out the story when watching a Disney film she it often isn't completely passive.

Roll on the spring!

Can you help your toddler with giving him more toys (or teach him how to use toys) which can be enjoyed without you necessarily being directly involved all the time? We have a 15mo toddler who can spend entire afternoons trying to fit duplo blocks together, fiddling with jigsaws and reading her cardboard books.

TV isn't the only indoor activity a child can enjoy on their own, you do have other options.