Alternatives to TV

[behindthetimes]

It was my intention that DS (2 years) should not watch any TV, or at least only xceptional circumstances. I'm keen to avoid starting any sort of the debate about this, as I'm not dogmatic about the issue, it's just a personal choice based on what I've read about the issue, and some other experiences.
Did well for the first year and a half but at this point seem to be failing drastically, and he is currently watching about one and a half hours a day, before we start our bedtime routine. I think this is far too much.
Also I can see it having a negative affect on him.

It's completely my fault, I'm pregnant and tired and use the time he's watching to cook the evening meal, and tidy the house, so that once he's in bed I can just relax.
If there is anyone else who tries to avoid TV, can you share any tips you have for other activities that would keep him quietly and unmessily occupied for a length of time (!!!), or any other thoughts about how you organise your day so you do have some time to do stuff you need to do.
DS is not badly behaved, but as he is an only child often needs me to play with him, and seems to be able to make an extroadinary amount of mess in a small amount of time!

I found the worst 6 months for it was once baby no.2 came along (when DS was 2) and I was marooned on the sofa feeding her for hours. We did end up watching one particular DVD of nursery rhymes over and over, but at least it was a join-in one so DS was dancing and singing and not just watching. I also found at that age that I could persuade the DCs to turn the telly off more easily if I put some music or audio book on instead. It is definitely possible to break the habit. We settled down to a routine of half an hour at about 6pm most nights.

well 15 mins isn't bad at all helenhen!
Whoknow, yeah, I kind of want to try and get a grip on it before the next baby comes as I can see how easy it's going to be to get into even worse habits!

I'm not really bothered about tv but a few things that work here. My ds is now 3 so a bit older.

Train track and battery operated train (Happyland one) and he can put things in the trucks, knock over the driver etc.

He has a craft material box that I add bits to quite often (decorative bits from crackers, tissue paper from parcels etc). He will sit and fiddle through it, interested to find new bits. Bit of tidying required.

We have a lot of space - open plan - so he also has a slide and mini trampoline closeby.

Chopping mushrooms with butterknife.

I don't time limit tv any more. Interestingly, often he will want to do something else and leave the tv of his own accord.

Somebody got that happyland train set for him for Christmas but he just wanted to tAke it apart and throw the bits down the stairs lol. So I put it away but it might be time to try it again!

I love the idea of the craft box! What else have you got in there?

Well I failed miserably earlier on this week as I was in hosp all day with suspected contractions (they weren't) and then felt grumpy and exhausted and stuck DS in front of TV for 2 hours
However, last 2 days have been better, though he's watched in the nightgarden before going to bed. Though that one seems to spark his interest and he wants to talk about it, rather than some others that just make him zone out.
I've been accepting slightly messier house as a result of less TV!

I've done much better and he's only been watching itng too but, like you, I don't mind that too much and he gets so excited about it and it really winds him down. He says good night and waves at the telly when it's over lol. I was getting more confident having him play in the kitchen til he managed to find a steak knife which I thought was too high more child proofing needed.

Oh come on though, you can do whatever when you've been in hospital so don't beat yourself up

Me and DH are at war with this. As soon as DH walks through the door he aske DS 20mo, if he wants to watch ceebeebies and there they go, DH on his phone doing some internet browsing, DS glued to the tv. I don't have the tv on at all in the daytme (except when I need to get ready really quick in the mornings) and then boom it's ok when Daddy arrives....grrrrrr.

Bloody daddies! wonder how he'd react if you did that all day! Like phones, remotes and keys... Dp hands them straight over! How the hell is a child gonna learn anything if it's one rule for daddy?

Thus Daddy is the favourite Helen.....

I thought of this thread yesterday when I got sick with tonsillitis. I put the tv on to see if it would give me a rest.

it seemed to result in dd1 staring at it for a while then whinging and chucking toys around. I guess when we are more purposeful with activities it goes more smoothly. dh is on duty today while I'm in bed and he noticed it too yesterday so has taken them out, and he is much more likely to put it on.

I know Sharon but it's just cheating! and don't get me started on grandparents lol.

Know what ya mean poocatcherchampion Dc is happiest when I take him out for a walk and let him have a wander!

Thankfully DH is in agreement about the TV, in fact I've not confessed exactly how much DS watches when he's out . BUT you have my sympathy as there's plenty of other matters where we follow totally different rules, I'm sure there's a a whole other thread in that...

We had this issue on a number of times, I've got 3 and remember the pregnancy toddler hell well. My 3 year old would watch all day if allowed, and when she gets too reliant on it (ie watching over an hour a day) we go cold turkey for a week or more, then vey quickly they stop asking for it, and start playing by themselves far better.

My little boy is almost 3, and he loves play doh.
I also said he wasn't going to watch tv and he watches it A LOT now which irritates me!
I try and engage him with other things (play doh, cars, train track etc) and we take the dog for long walks through muddy fields which he loves but it does make me think I need to step up the reduction of the tv time. Thanks

Well today we got a Kid's songs cd out and played it from the tv. We had a mini disco and it was great and an excellent alternative to Mr Tumble.