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Original poster

My 4-year-old broke 4 TVs in one month... What should I do?

223 replies

LunaDream0 · 03/12/2024 07:16

Hi all,

I'm feeling a bit frustrated and overwhelmed at the moment, and I hope someone can offer some advice or support. My 4-year-old son has somehow managed to break four TVs in the last month! I’m not even sure how it’s happening, but each time I turn around, there’s a new screen crack or malfunction. It’s honestly starting to feel like we’re living in a nightmare!

I know kids can be rough on things, but I’ve never had this happen before, and it’s really making me question if I need to be doing something differently. Should I be more proactive in teaching him how to treat electronics? Or maybe I need to find a way to limit his access to the TV altogether?

Has anyone else dealt with something similar? How do you handle a situation like this without completely losing your mind?

Any tips or reassuring words would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance!

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Throughthebluebells · 03/12/2024 16:20

He needs more supervision and to learn to be less distructive.

I would remove the TV entirely, perhaps keep one out of reach/sight in my own bedroom to use after he has gone to bed. A 4 year old does not need access to a television.

EmotionalSupportPotato · 03/12/2024 16:22

Should I be more proactive in teaching him how to treat electronics? I'd say so. Wouldn't you? You could just be passive and hope he doesn't do it again.

lovelydayIhave · 03/12/2024 16:46

Op will never come back, she would be eaten alive.

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myslippersarepink · 03/12/2024 19:34

LunaDream0 · 03/12/2024 07:42

@fanaticalfairy I haven't bought a new TV yet; it's still in the living room.

Then how can he have broken 4? And how come you don't know how any of them happened? Do you not supervise him? Leave him alone for long periods? Seems very odd. My kids have never broken one tv?

Scirocco · 03/12/2024 19:49

lovelydayIhave · 03/12/2024 16:46

Op will never come back, she would be eaten alive.

Maybe she already has been, by the TV-destroying preschooler.

Happyher · 03/12/2024 19:56

Is he watching the Tv at the time and perhaps trying to hit the ‘baddies’ with something hard

SeAmableSiempre · 03/12/2024 23:56

SoupDragon · 03/12/2024 09:10

Are you trying to say that your DS grew out of ADHD?

Show quote history

I don’t believe anyone diagnosed with ADHD ‘grows out of it’. Our son was under the care of a paediatrician from the age of 3, and back then we didn’t have the internet to research information. Her advice was to exclude all artificial additives from his diet, so we did. Everything was cooked fresh from scratch, no sugar or junk, he started sleeping better, his temper tantrums ceased completely and his concentration levels improved massively, for example he would sit and listen whilst I read him a story and would take an interest in the pictures and join in, this was unheard of previously. The best thing of all was the fact that he was happy.

He was 14 before he had a McDonalds meal when out with friends, it was his last, he said it was disgusting.
Yes he still has struggles even in his 30’s, he doesn’t sit still for long, he keeps busy every waking hour. He has very little patience, but he’s polite and very caring. Most people with ADHD are extremely intelligent, and therefore capable of understanding right from wrong at an early age. Parents need to stop using the term ADHD as a reason not to parent, because in some cases kids don’t have it and the label is an excuse to ignore bad behaviour.
It is our duty as parents to ensure our children grow into respectful and responsible adults so they can be their best selves. It begins at home, not in the classroom, our kids - our responsibility.

LigamentBandy · 03/12/2024 23:59

There is no point to this thread 0@LunaDream0 is never coming back and ppl are just sniping at each other ....

SeAmableSiempre · 04/12/2024 00:18

LigamentBandy · 03/12/2024 23:59

There is no point to this thread 0@LunaDream0 is never coming back and ppl are just sniping at each other ....

I think you’re right, it was probably someone really sad who made it up to see a reaction… they sure got one

Original poster
LunaDream0 · 04/12/2024 06:40

@romeosierraoscar Thank you. I will try it right now.

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Original poster
LunaDream0 · 04/12/2024 06:42

@EliflurtleAndTheInfiniteMadness Thank you so much. You are so kind.

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LunaDream0 · 04/12/2024 06:46

@Chrysanthemum5 Oh no, it's actually 4 TVs! The first few times, we tried to educate him and gave him warning, but when it happened again yesterday, I just broke down.

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Original poster
LunaDream0 · 04/12/2024 06:47

@CarrotPencil Thank you.

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Original poster
LunaDream0 · 04/12/2024 06:51

@allthemiddlechildrenoftheworld
First: He threw a toy car directly at the screen during a tantrum because his favorite cartoon wasn’t on. The impact shattered the screen completely.

Second: He was playing with a plastic sword, pretending to fight dragons. One overly enthusiastic swing hit the TV and cracked the display.

Third: This one got water damage. He thought it would be fun to "clean" the TV with a water-filled spray bottle and a sponge. By the time I noticed, it was too late.

Fourth: Yesterday, he jumped onto the TV stand while playing “superhero,” causing the TV to tip over and crash to the ground.

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Original poster
LunaDream0 · 04/12/2024 06:52

@SoupDragon Yes. thank you.

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LunaDream0 · 04/12/2024 06:53

@Completelyjo Yes, I'm indeed busy.

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Original poster
LunaDream0 · 04/12/2024 06:54

@Shoobidowhop Thank you.

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Original poster
LunaDream0 · 04/12/2024 06:54

@Skepticgal Thank you.

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LunaDream0 · 04/12/2024 06:55

@Scrambledchickens Thank you. I'll try it.

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Original poster
LunaDream0 · 04/12/2024 06:57

@Scirocco
First: He threw a toy car directly at the screen during a tantrum because his favorite cartoon wasn’t on. The impact shattered the screen completely.

Second: He was playing with a plastic sword, pretending to fight dragons. One overly enthusiastic swing hit the TV and cracked the display.

Third: This one got water damage. He thought it would be fun to "clean" the TV with a water-filled spray bottle and a sponge. By the time I noticed, it was too late.

Fourth: Yesterday, he jumped onto the TV stand while playing “superhero,” causing the TV to tip over and crash to the ground.

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Original poster
LunaDream0 · 04/12/2024 06:58

@CyranoDeBergerQuack Thank you.

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Original poster
LunaDream0 · 04/12/2024 06:59

@oakleaffy
First: He threw a toy car directly at the screen during a tantrum because his favorite cartoon wasn’t on. The impact shattered the screen completely.

Second: He was playing with a plastic sword, pretending to fight dragons. One overly enthusiastic swing hit the TV and cracked the display.

Third: This one got water damage. He thought it would be fun to "clean" the TV with a water-filled spray bottle and a sponge. By the time I noticed, it was too late.

Fourth: Yesterday, he jumped onto the TV stand while playing “superhero,” causing the TV to tip over and crash to the ground.

OP posts:
Ottersmith · 04/12/2024 07:08

You are a computer.

LavenderFields7 · 04/12/2024 07:19

Is the TV on constantly? Maybe he is trying to tell you he doesn’t like the stimulation/noise/you watching it all the time. There’s probably a reason.

CaptainMyCaptain · 04/12/2024 07:25

LavenderFields7 · 04/12/2024 07:19

Is the TV on constantly? Maybe he is trying to tell you he doesn’t like the stimulation/noise/you watching it all the time. There’s probably a reason.

OP clearly isn't watching it all the time if he is able to damage it without her seeing. Washing it and the sword play could have been done while it was switched off. Some people are just being judgemental about the existence of a TV.