2 and a half year old tv addict

[Jojokaty]

Anyone else got a tv addict? My lo is terrible. Constantly asks for tv or the iPad and is quite naughty if she doesn't have it. I try to do lots of activities with her but she often doesn't have the attention span to complete them and would rather watch mister tumble. It's so hard as I have a baby aswell so do sometimes need the tv for down time but for some reason she can't have a little bit she just wants more and more and more .... Please don't tell me I have an addictive personality on our hands? Better keep her away for drugs and alcohol or we'll be in trouble. Can't wait for spring to get out in fresh air more! :)

Don't feel guilty about it. Just do what you can, be the mum you are and get out of the house at least once a day. Library is good, playgroups, soft-play places, even just local shops but involving lo with the process. If tv is required when you are home put it on while you need it. I find "nice" DVDs are better and they have a definite end to them which can mean switching off easier.

Does she just watch children's programmes or does she watch anything, including the Open University. If the former, it's OK; if the latter, she could be a telly adict.

Sorry if this is teaching you to suck eggs, but what about youtube?

My 2 year old has little interest in TV (not for want of trying!) but really enjoys watching videos on youtube. Channels like KIDSTV123 have some really entertaining yet educational videos about letters, numbers, colours, shapes etc.

DD loves them. Might make you feel a little less guity if you know she's learning in the process

Yes my little one is the same as she thinks all tvs should have cbeebies and if not all hell breaks loose she likes it on in the background and if your in her way when watching she will tell you to move! cheeky monkey! have tried turning off put she puts it back on so now have to unplug the thing lol not funny really she's only 2.2 but we are trying to limit the time although she watches toy story now again again and again she knows it word for word and does the actions! Roll on summer save on the electric bill hehe x

She loves anything electronic ... Not into open university so maybe we are ok on the addiction level! Its her behaviour that seems to get worse when she has anything tv related. It's a fine line that we tread between keeping her happy and 'oh god, she's now a rude little brat'. We have an iPad and she loves that as there are games and things on it - sort of educational too. Getting the right movies is right actually - gruffalo is perfect as its so calm and only 30 mins ... Some Pixar films are not right for a two yr old at all. Just had visions of having kids that wanted to climb trees and do lots of colouring in! Maybe that will come in time.... She just does my head in at the moment. Yes to getting out the house every day. Had an idea that I also might hide some of her toys and bring them out again in a weeks time as then she might gain interest again ....

Thanks for understanding .... Give me a newborn baby any time as a two year old is soooooo much harder

I'm in the same position but think ds1 is coming out the other side. I have a 4 month dd and tv has been a godsend in most respects (sits happily while I have shower/change/feed dd, but I was getting concerned as he started to not want to leave the house (on the days when I managed to get my shit together!) because he wanted to carry on watching peppa or cbeebies etc. However, just these last two weeks, he has happily not been as bothered about it because I think his speech and understanding has dramatically improved. His play has really come on and although he does still love his tv, it's not so important in his life now. I make a little 'timetable' for his afternoons now which he helps choose too - eg. play trains, read two books, car puzzle then half an hour of something tv/DVD related - which he really responds to. I'll often make sure the tv is off when he comes down from his nap and he generally doesn't ask for it to be on. If he does, I dont make a big deal out of it and usually will switch it onto radio mode while we play.

What's even better is when he does watch, I'll ask him to give me a sort of running commentary on what's happening. We often have little conversations about a character or why something is happening.

Of course there are the other times where I'll just stick on anything so I can make dinner/feed dd/go on mumsnet...!

CECILYP...... my DS1 DID actually watch the open university/Documentaries as a preschooler, it was the only peace and quiet we got!!!

Wha'ts wrong with them watching a bit of whatever TV they enjoy? It doesn't have to be kids TV, a lot of which is a bit Meh IMO :)

I've noticed this creeping up on us too. I think I have started to rely too much on youtube for keeping ds quiet while I was in the shower or doing last minute cooking.

I should take my own advice really, but I think the most effective way to limit screen time would be to be REALLY consistent. The timetable idea further upthread is great. I.e. the child should know that every day after his lunch he can watch 15mins of something, adn then it comes off. Or whenever mummy is in the shower he can watch his dvd.

I've had to change my habits to avoid him pestering me too much. I used to have the computer on most of the day, but now I switch it on a couple of times a day, once while he's napping.

So I must follow my own advice really. You're not alone :-)