Expecting too much of 3.6 yr old??

[RillaBlythe]

I just made a bargain with dd1 that she could watch 3 tv programmes today. She's watched them all already which means there will be tantrums in the evening when she wants to watch another. I'm not expecting too much to hold her to the bargain, am I? just preempting my self doubt when she's screaming on the floor!

you made a bargain - so stick with it and she will learn how it works.

I find TV goes hand in hand with tantrums (esp Dora for some reason, strange as Dora is such a good girl), so DD watches a lot less of it these days (she's just 4).

Thanks. I hate the tv, it's such a double edged sword!

have something else ready for her to do instead - colouring, beading etc. Good old diversion works for us most of the time

It might help her to understand the bargain more if you make it visual... so make a list of her favourite programmes (cut out pics if necessary) and let her put a star next to the three that she wants to watch. She can then move the star if she wants, but can't add another star to the chart.

My sister did something similar with her DS1 and it worked really well.

If you've said 3, then stick to your guns.

My DD1 is 3.5 and would definitely remember that I gave in and would use it over and over!
Agree that a visual aid could help, plus the distraction is a good idea.

I'd have reminded her after the second one "you've got one programme left today, would you like to watch it now or save it for later on?", it's reminding her that it's her choice to make.

I go with the distraction idea too. Have something run to do like cutting, glittering and gluing and then there'll be no time for tv.

Agree visual thing is good.
Maybe give her 3 tokens a day or have 3 pictures on a chart. When she watches a program you take a token or a sticker so she can see clearly what she still has left to use...

My ds would have difficulty remembering from morning to evening and that they were the same day. Not that that's a reason not to do it - we do similar with 'treat' food, so get him asking for another jaffa cake and I explain he's had two treats already and that's enough (cue argument that one jaffa cake and one flapjack cake is ONE treat so two jaffa cakes is two treats... but no tantrum any more!)

With TV in the evenings we do two more... one more and then the telly goes to bed but you can play for a bit, and he takes that pretty well. I think he's realised that programmes vary hugely in length as he's started asking for the 1.2 hour long episode of Mickey Mouse last thing at night! Which he doesn't get. But if he's cooperative in the evening we offer an episode of Alphablocks as a treat - they last under a minute. :)

There's a limited number of things I can be strict about at one time - currently they are eating during the day, coming home from nursery nicely, wearing clothes, table manners. TV isn't one of them at the moment!

I did make it clear this morning when she chose to watch her third Rara the noisy lion (she hasn't twigged it's only 10 mins long & shed be better off with Mr Maker!). She asked again after nursery but had been absolutely fine in accepting my no... I am surprised!

I get same thing, although DD is only just 3. I've realised it's a bit unfair asking her if she wants T.V. now or later- silly question, NOW!!!! NOW! is all that exists for her.........