all Ds wants to do is watch tv - it is driving me nuts

[NuggetsForTeaAgain]

I want him to remember his childhood as days when we did activities together etc. like I did iwth dd. Granted he has chicken pox at the moment so it's not helping but I feel so frustrated and bored. I got out the wooden train track the other day and he did do that with me and then asked if he could watch tv again. He is very clever and thrives at school but just doesn;t want do do anyhting at home. We go to museums when poss, trips to library, out and about stuff, trip to seaside (we live near the sea) but he would really prefer to sit by himself in the lounge watching bloody tv. We got hte painting by no's set out the other day and he enjoyed that but he'd still rather be watching telly!!! AAAAAGGGHHHH

then tell him that tv time is over and switch it off.

we usually have it on in the background - like now no-one is watching it , but i hate the tv being off its like the house is empty... but in the summertime, its never on.

you dont say how old he is, but have a try of turning it off, maybe put the radio on if you cant bear the quiet

sorry, he is 5

actually we are upstairs in his room building a farm at the moment and he is really enjoying it! WAs a struggle to get him away from tv though

Just set a limit and stick to it. I've cut back during the week so they only get 15-30mins generally after school, on occasion 45 mins, then at the weekend normally it's a bit more but still less than we used to have. It's kind of addictive- so might be hard to start with but if you stick to your guns I reckon he'd adjust pretty quick. Good luck!

went cold turkey on TV with DD, for same reasons, it was like she had forgotten how to play and kept saying she was 'bored' (she was 3 at the time!!). 3 weeks later I had a delightful, imaginative and interactive child. Somehow or other the TV crept in again.... and now I'm having the same struggles again..... Feel like flinging the blimmin thing out of the window (TV not child.... well... mostly....)

Think of a limit (an hour or whatever) and make him choose programs that roughly fit your time limit, rather than mindless, endless telly.

yeah you are all right. I have tried to engage hi in stuff but in the end I just think sod it, I'll clean out my cutlery drawer, or whatever while he;s quiet. It really niggles me though so I will have to have a plan in mind for the comibg week. Hardder now as he is off with the pox but will get the arts and crafts kits out and persevere!

I envy you all (a bit!!) my kids will not watch TV we have had it on once since the xmas holidays. I try everything to get them to sit and watch it cbeebies or a DVD but no they are not interested. Very occasionally they will watch come outside but very rarely. Sometimes I just want them to sit for 10 mins so I can get something done but they are just not interested. We have my DD's friend here at the mo and she got fed up playing and asked if she could watch cbeebies and she is sat happily watching whilst my 2 play babies!!!!

Last weekend I tried leaving it for 2 hrs when we were home in the afternoon in case anything took their fancy and my ds did sit and watch something special for all of 5 mins!!!

How good are you matey!!! My goodness you are a good mom, wanting to play games with them or take them on activities!

I can see your point but I think sometimes TV doesn't get the credit for what it does do. Programmes like 'deadly 60' are great and lots of other stuff is done so well too. I wouldn't worry that DS always wants to get back to the TV. It's kind of understandable. Look how much pleasure and information we adults get out of the TV.

You are doing a great job by the sound of it to me!! Says the mom who is embarrasingly pleased when they are lost in some tv prog.

I have a similar issue with my son. He would sit and watch tv all day if I let him. I find that saint you can watch this and then we're switching it off and doing something else, usually going out. If we stay in the house, then he usually just wants the telly.on!