2.4yr will not stay away from TV screen and has just scratched it to high heaven. How do I stop this?

[Paddlechick666]

DD is 2.4yrs old. She is obsessed with standing right in front of the TV. Touches it, bashes it, puts anything she can against it.

I have repeatedly told her to keep away from it. She even tells me she isn't allowed to touch it.

She used to be allowed to turn it on and off but I have stopped asking her to do so as it gives mixed message on touching the TV.

I have talked to her calmly about it, I have got cross with her about it, I have removed her from it and switched it off.

She understands this.

So, I'm in the kitchen cooking and I haven't realised she's taken an apple corer off the side.

5 mins later I find her banging and scraping it against the TV. The screen is covered in scratches.

I am furious, she is in her room yelling whilst I try to calm down.

I am a single parent, we just moved house and the TV cost a fortune. I could cry my eyes out. Yes I have insurance but there's a big excess on it.

How on earth do I get it into her that she mustn't touch the TV?

Oh and prior to this we've had a lovely day of playing, going to the park etc etc. I don't think was attention seeking and even if it was, I have to be able to get on with jobs occasionally.

I am as angry with myself for not realising she'd got the corer, all the things she's used before have been fairly harmless.

The best thing in the world for this phase is crayola washable pens and a packet of wet wipes

Put TV out of her reach.

Was TV on when she scratched it? If so, it could be that she was trying to touch the cartoons or whatever was playing at the time.

thanks emma but I'd rather she learned what's acceptable behaviour and not that she can do as she pleases and it's all okay because it can be wiped off.

yes TV is in her reach, and yes that's probably a valid point about wanting to touch the screen.

thing is tho, she was watching Bambi on DVD (her fave) so why attack the bloody screen with an apple corer?

anyway, she understands boundaries on other things. she is normally a really biddable child, so why oh why can she not stay away from the TV?

It's obviously a strong fascination with the screen isn't it....

I think you've probably already done alot of good today by your response, you have re-inforced that it's wrong and she knows you mean it. She stopped watching it as a consequence of what she did so that's a good message too.

I don't think there's a magic answer that will stop it immediately, and I think you can't do more than you are doing - other than re-double the amount of toddler proofing you are doing, it's a drag but it does save some angst if they just can't get to apple corers or anything at all sharp!

Thanks Honoria, yes I should have spotted the apple corer in reach.

We live and learn eh.

I have calmed down a bit now. She's tidied her room and has said sorry and we've hugged and kissed.

She's now on her pretend phone telling Grandma "Mummy's cross, I scratched the TV"

At least that has made me smile.

I took her back into the lounge and showed her what she's done and told her she cannot watch TV again now. She is normally allowed a little bit after her tea/bath with her milk.

I know she's never seen me so cross before and she tidied her toys up quick smart!

well you can't spot everything all the time Paddle

I think you might find today has had an effect long term; I find kids really do know when something has REALLY made you cross and you REALLY mean it

Paddlechick I think my response would have been to have immediately turned it off and told her she couldn't watch it for the next 24 hours. And that if she did anything like that again it would go off for even longer. They seem to understand forfeits from a surprisingly early age once they realise you're serious! Shame about your tv. Maybe try an auction room for replacement?