Feeling guilty for having cbeebies on all day - will it be possible to wean 2 yr old off it?

[milkyman]

My ds has started saying 'more telly'. I know this is my fault but we have no kitchen,as the the builders are in (for months), hes not well, refuses to go out as he doesnt like the cold and wind, has gone off reading books... I never wanted be a parent who does this but im really low and struggling. Will i be able to wean him off it?

Wrote you a message and it disappeared, but this site is good.

theimaginationtree.com/category/age/agetoddler

Maybe putting a blanket down or wipe clean cloth down in the lounge or bedroom and doing some play dough or colouring would be a plan. Honemade playdough from the site so no colouring as I've found it stains sometimes, a cat litter tray with sand (rice maybe) in to drive trucks through....

Honestly it's hard work being with toddlers all day and not resorting to tv for longer than you would like. I have two, I know how hard it is. I just have it on at set times and am rigid about it, it's the only way.

We watch more telly than I expected. I have several friends who have it on whenever they are home. So on one hand,, try not to beat yourself up.
On the other, we have to get out every day, often morning and afternoon. Sometimes a walk to somewhere warm like the library or a cafe and other times for a run around, my boy also feels the cold so he wears tights under his trousers or skiing salopettes if it's really cold.

Then when you come in you can feel smug about snuggling together on the sofa to watch some telly with a blanket. Mmmmm

K

DS watched a bit more than I'd like when I was pregnant and knackered. It wasn't on all day, but he watched a lot in the afternoons. He has been weaned off it to a certain extent. He would still sit and watch it all day given the chance, but the trick is to not give him the chance!

As KatyN says, you need to get out. We go somewhere every morning, depending on the weather it could be swings, library, a toddler group, the supermarket...we're usually out by 9:30, back by 11:30, lunch, nap, play with toys, the TV doesn't usually go on until about 4ish because we're busy until then. Exceptions are for illness (mine or his) and days when he doesn't want to nap but needs 20 mins of down time after lunch.

If you are low then getting out is good for you too. Is it just this you are struggling with, or more generally? Because that might be worth talking to your HV about.

Don't beat yourself up. Our Tv shows is do on a fair bit bit 1) I do think it's educatiobal to a point (I only have disney junior and occasional CBeebies). Dd's speech and counting has come on loads thanks to Micky mouse! 2) just turn it off sometimes. At random points if dd has got too engrossed (as apposed to it being in the background) I just say it's going off and she can play or help me. 3) set favourite shows at times. Dd likes Mickey mpuse at breckfast and curious George at dinner. I would rather she ate at the dining table but she's happt and eating so that's a challenge for another day. And lastly get out as another poster said - mine loves soft play, swimming and museums which are all good in the winter!

Apologies for grammar and typos - am on my phone!

I had another thought about this. Cbeebees changes very regularly so my son doesn't get bored of it. A film is the same kinda thing for quite a while and if he's seen it before he'll usually watch 20 minutes and decide it's time to play.
Maybe duller TV??

Don't feel guilty, Cebeebies is nearly always on at my house too. I'm shore there are a lot more kids watching TV all day than you think. I keep my TV on all day even when my kids are playing and I'm buisy, I think it's to quiet without my TV on in the background lol I don't know anybody who sits at home with there TV off all day. x

That's fine unless you subject them to Show me Show me, in which case that's rather cruel