Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Parenting

For free parenting resources please check out the Early Years Alliance's Family Corner.

4yr old incapable of concentrating whilst tv is on

12 replies

prettywhiteguitar · 10/02/2012 08:03

just that really, I find it really irritating ! Mainly the reasons being that he will fall over walking away from the tv for waching it and bump into something. He will spill drinks for watching it and not looking at his cup.

We obviously had it on at mealtimes so now I have cleared the room where we were eating so we can sit at the table but it still doesnt get away from the fact he can't drag his eyes away from it at other times.

We usually have it on in the morning and at 5pm for an hour so its not like its never on, it seems to be his concentration.

Obvious conclusion is not to have it on at all, which he is currently having for spilling yet another drink. He has a total tv ban now for two days. But what do I do after that ????

It really is driving me nuts any advice ?

He is good at concentration on other things playing and reading and his behaviour is good in other ways but this is causing arguements because he will be playing with the baby whilst staring at the tv, or simply cannot look me in eye casue the bloody tv is on arrrrgggh !

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
fanjoforthemammaries7850 · 10/02/2012 08:08

my DH is honestly like that Grin

But, I feel your pain, maybe you could allow watching TV at certain times when he is just sitting on sofa and not doing anything else, and you just leave him to it and don't talk to him?

ohbugrit · 10/02/2012 08:12

Mine is EXACTLY the same.

I allow TV while I put his sister down for a nap or while I'm doing something else, but not otherwise. If it's on, he has to sit and watch it. If he starts doing other things it gets switched off for both our sakes.

GrimmaTheNome · 10/02/2012 08:12

Sounds like he needs to be allowed to watch specific programs he enjoys, during which time he isn't given drinks or roam around.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Iggly · 10/02/2012 08:15

Maybe his concentration is too good - he focuses on one thing only at a time?

Get him to stay on the sofa and have a cup with a straw if spilling drinks is your only gripe.

Tmesis · 10/02/2012 08:20

No multitasking -- he doesn't watch TV while playing, or while reading, or while having a drink. TV goes on for one specified programme, he sits and watches that programme (not doing anything else at the same time), TV goes off.

shelscrape · 10/02/2012 08:28

Oh it's completely normal. DH - aged 41 - can't hold a cogent conversation while the TV is on. DS - aged 7 now - cannot be communicated with while the blasted TV is on. don't worry is just a man thing. DS has to have drinks and snacks in the kitchen. TV is on for limited periods or specific programmes only.

prettywhiteguitar · 10/02/2012 09:40

Thank you for the replies, I am going to have to be stricter with it I see

I just find it so annoying !! Glad some of you all have the same problem and actually I do have to tell dp off about it as well, as he just stares gormlessly off at adverts whilst I am telling him crucial details about emmerdale important life events

OP posts:
Octaviapink · 12/02/2012 18:42

Turn it off. Forever. Children don't need television. (Nor do adults.)

fanjoforthemammaries7850 · 12/02/2012 18:44

No but its enjoyable

minceorotherwise · 12/02/2012 18:51

God Octavia, steady on..I would have to talk to DH. We don't want to stir up all kinds of problems by communicating. Besides, are you not aware that Miranda is on tonight? Shhheeeesh

voddiekeepsmesane · 12/02/2012 19:45

OK turn it off when needed eg mealtimes etc and allow it in a limited fashion. I just don't get the whole watching tv while eating as a family sorry. Once a week on a friday ds is allowed to sit in front of telly to eat the rest of the time its everything turned off and we actually TALK as a family. Wow a revelation huh Hmm

voddiekeepsmesane · 12/02/2012 19:51

Drinks only to be consumed in kitchen is another thing we had for a while until ds could deal with more than two things at once :)

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread