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Behaviour/development

Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

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Original poster

How much Cbeebies is too much?

11 replies

mrsrvc · 13/12/2011 09:26

I have been sort of relaxed about TV with my now 19 month old son. He usually watches about 15 mins in bed with us in the morning, i occasionally pop him in front of something during the day for me to be able to achieve things, then 45 mins before bed. However I am now 7.5 months pregnant, and he watching more and more and started to ask for it all the time. We do lots of activities, and he also loves books and playing, but I'm worried that it's only going to get worse. I'm half tempted to do a total ban to break the habit, but I'm so tired that I need the break too. Any advice greatly appreciated.

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fluffytowels · 13/12/2011 09:29

I was a bit smug about this the first time round. DS1 is the round bottomed kind and was never interested for very long at a time. Always got up to do something else.

DS2 is 2.5 and would sit for hours if you let him. Gets very cross if you turn it off.

If I were you, I would go with what you think and build it into a routine. Avoid the negotiation about when it goes on and off.

But when you have a new baby, there is no such thing as too much cbeebies

SpottyTeacakes · 13/12/2011 09:33

Dd is 18 months and has about 15 of Milkshake in the morning whilst I'm getting ready.

That said she loves Scrubs and all the other crap I watch in the day

I wouldn't worry, especially as you do other activities in the day, I know some people who have it on all day I personally can't think of anything worse

Iggly · 13/12/2011 09:34

I had heard that under 2s shouldnt really watch any tv at all ideally. With DS we had no tv until he was nearly 2 and now he watches about half an hour in short bursts.

I've just had DD so understand being tired, pregnant and having a toddler! At that age they're hard to entertain. We got out a lot, went to the park loads and I tried to involve DS in what I was doing. I also tried not to do too much and napped when DS did.

How are your iron levels? I found that mine dropped quite low in the last trimester (they were 10.4 at 28 weeks, fell to 9.4 at 36 weeks) so started taking supplements and after a week or so felt much much better and had more energy.

Chundle · 13/12/2011 11:37

Dd1 hardly ever watched tv she couldn't sit still long enough! Dd2 loves her DVDs the same ones repeatedly! However tv always off at mealtimes and it goes off for structured activities and when we are reading, puzzles etc. I just go with the flow. It is hard when ur pregnant

CamperFan · 13/12/2011 14:02

I think if you do lots of other things, then it doesn't really matter. DS1 was a real cBeebies addict around the age of 2, and he asked for it constantly! But at just turned 5 he can take it or leave it and loves real detailed building games, board games, reading etc, so certainly hasn't suffered! I think as long as you are relaxed in your approach and recognise when a "phase" is going on too long, it's fine. Holidays and visits from grandparents, etc are great to break cycles in obsessive behaviour/habits too, which is useful to know.

I would never have a TV in a child's bedroom though. In fact we don't even have toys in there - its books only all the way.

Original poster

mrsrvc · 13/12/2011 14:15

Thanks. I largely feel better for your words! He is definitely going through an obsessive phase about a few things, mr bloom being one of them, but also the candle money box from the children's society (he screams for MONEY!!!) and also for his toy cat. So hopefully it's just a phase, and I will try not to pander to the constant demands for "bloom" and "telly", and give in only at specific times.
I guess as long as he has well rounded other activities it's ok. We go swimming, to the park, sing and sign, movement/ music classes, and often to museums galleries etc, so it's not like it's the only thing he does!
I also don't have the tv on at all during the day if it's not specifically for him, and do turn it off for mealtimes and structured activities.
It's just hard not to worry when after a nap he wakes up asking for mumma? Dadda? Bloom?

OP posts:

lljkk · 13/12/2011 14:39

I think it helps if you have consistent rules about when they can watch, they come to accept the No times with less fuss if they are predictable.

fragglerocker · 13/12/2011 15:12

My ds is another cbeebies addict. when he is with me we only really have it on if there is a programme he likes, there's probably about 3 or 4 programmes that he really loves, so i only let him watch these. On the other hand if he is having a daddy day, it is on constantly, well until I come home and turn it off! when we are playing though, the tv is off. And lately he is more interested in dvds, we have seen polar express about 64 thousand times in the last week. I agree it is so easy just to bang the telly on whilst you get on with whatever you need to but I do try and limit how much he watches.

MoonFaceMamaaaaargh · 14/12/2011 12:44

op i was in a similar position a few months back. I now have a 9wk old dd and a 22m ds. I'm afraid the telly watching has gone up since dd arrived, so i would say prepare yourself as you may have it on more in future!

Here ds can turn the tv on and i allow him to do so. Sometimes he turns it on as soon as he walks in. Other times not for a couple of hours. I turn it off if he hasn't looked at it for a while. He doesn't sit and watch it often, but rather wonders away to play, returning when something catches is eye. He normally stands or even dances while watching. I'd be more concerned if he sat glued to it while it's on. He also willingly, and spontaniously switches it of when we get ready to go out.

It doesn't quite feel like an issue yet, rather a phase. One that's compounded by the new baby, windy weather (which both dc's hate) dark evenings etc.
I make sure we get out lots, socialise and do lots of active imaginative play at home (build dens, dance around, extra baths as play time etc)

I'm hoping it will all balance out and don't want to put restrictions on it yet as i don't want it to become covetable. We took a similar tack with biscuits and cake (the first foods he could ask for by name ) and he can now take or leave them...which is a pain when i'm looking for an incentive to get him to keep still in a cafe etc. He ate a lot of biscuits in a short time then went off them. I'm hoping the same will work with tv. If it doesn't i'll cross that bridge then.

Try to remember that being pg and adjusting to life with a new baby are challenging times. Be kind to yourself and know it won't last forever.

Original poster

mrsrvc · 14/12/2011 15:41

Thanks ladies. Maybe I am making it too covetable. I am with you on the cake and biscuit thing! My DS second word was cakie..( after daddy) and now he can take or leave it more or less.
Thinking about it more, it definitely not just Cbeebies in general, its Mr Bloom and Mr Tumble specifically, which I guess is also a wierd attachment thing to the characters.
My DH let him watch justins house the other day, where both justin and Mr BLoom appeared in the same place and apparently my ds was beside himself!

OP posts:

peppajay · 15/12/2011 17:18

I envy you my two aged 5 and 3 will not watch anything. I have tried everything but nothing holds their attention. I have tried cbeebies, citv, milkshake, DVDs but nothing. We own about 4 kids DVDs but they are never watched!!! I would love just to be able to use it when I cook tea or in the mornings. I have just started leaving it on all the time to see if anything catches their attention but so far nothing!!!!

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