No telly challenge

[Bumbolina]

I've been relying on the telly a bit much recently (I've an 8 week old and it's been very useful in entertaining my toddler).

I set myself a challenge today, - no telly between 9&5... I managed 9.30-4.15 .

That's a good time to aim for - might follow that .. That means tv can be used at the key parts of the day!

I need to do that too. I relied on tv to help get through the hours of breastfeeding without my toddler getting too rambunctious but now the baby is 4 months I feel guilty for all the pestering for tv when I give in. I have to think of more diversions during the day while keeping the two children physically separate. Any ideas, apart from books?

I've been doing this too! In my head I said 10 til 5 and it's been ok actually. I think we all rely on it too much!!

re alternatives to books - i don't have the link but google quiet time boxes - I saw them Mentioned on here - basically you get 5 boxes one for each day - put a few things in each that will occupy a toddler and use on appropriate day - stuff like puzzles , things to do - there were lots of good ideas ...and because they only get the stuff out once a week it stays interesting

Thanks waterrat. I'll try that.

Well this our second day of it, some of the stuff we've done is a messy play group, gingerbread house making (from a kit my mum got cheap), sticking any glueing, puzzles, building a den, finding the tickle monsters (includes binoculars lol), indoor picnic, playing with the dolls house, running round the garden (while I sat just inside watching feeding the baby).

We've done loads - I'm knackered, but we're both in a much better mood and my toddler is showing much less jealousy

Well done OP, what a great idea!
We got in bad habits too over Christmas & over last couple weeks been trying to reduce amount of tv watched every day. Setting yourself your own limits is a good idea. Hope it keeps going well for you