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Original poster

2 tvs broke this year – aibu not to replace

35 replies

sunshinedaises · 21/10/2025 10:29

My ds has just broken our tv for the 2nd time this year. First time we did an insurance claim and the excess is £250. This time I’m tempted not to even replace. We don’t have the spare money and do I even want to when he could just break it again? Am I gonna be the one punished as I use TV to occupy them when I need to get things done? Anyone else live without a TV?

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Loz2323 · 22/10/2025 06:50

CarterBeatsTheDevil · 21/10/2025 15:42

We get so much input with how to manage babies but then so little when they get bigger. 2.5 is too young for discipline, OP, he's too little. They don't get start to get any sort of impulse control until they're at least a couple of years older. It's a terrible time when they have a lot of physical capability and no common sense. Massive design flaw! For now you've just got to put stuff he can't be trusted with out of his reach or protect it.

Sorry but have to disagree, 2.5 is not to young to discipline children at all! In fact if you have left it that long without some sort of disciplining of a child then you have been making a rod for your own back.

SnottyBaby456 · 22/10/2025 08:45

Loz2323 · 22/10/2025 06:50

Sorry but have to disagree, 2.5 is not to young to discipline children at all! In fact if you have left it that long without some sort of disciplining of a child then you have been making a rod for your own back.

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I agree boundaries can absolutely be instilled in a 2 year old. My kid understood a firm "no" from just before 1 as well. But they won't understand a big consequence such as no TV and they can't be trusted 100% of the time. At that age they should be quite closely supervised, still.

JayJayj · 22/10/2025 13:31

Your 2 year old did not break it on purpose!
They lack impulse control and do not fully understand the consequences of their actions. Put the tv on the wall so he no longer has access to it. If he likes chucking stuff but some soft balls and things he is allowed to throw.

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Frankinator · 22/10/2025 18:41

SnottyBaby456 · 21/10/2025 12:56

And re living without a TV, my DS has NEVER seen it turned on. Never. We watch it after he goes to bed. Probably your punishment for using screens with a 2 year old.

What a nasty, sanctimonious little post. Did it make you feel better?

TeenToTwenties · 22/10/2025 18:44

Get a second hand one from a charity shop or freecycle.

MellowPinkDeer · 22/10/2025 18:48

I think there are much bigger issues at play here than a TV. Work on his behaviour first and foremost!

CarterBeatsTheDevil · 22/10/2025 19:07

Loz2323 · 22/10/2025 06:50

Sorry but have to disagree, 2.5 is not to young to discipline children at all! In fact if you have left it that long without some sort of disciplining of a child then you have been making a rod for your own back.

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Oh yes, sorry, I didn't mean that you just don't do discipline. Bad phrasing on my part. I meant that you have to manage your expectations and keep plugging away at it rather than expecting a 2 year old to fully understand right and wrong and consequences. I was absolutely saying no to my kid at that age and trying to lay down good habits and behaviour, but I don't think she would have really understood that the TV wasn't being replaced because she'd broken it iyswim

PloddingAlong21 · 22/10/2025 20:11

I disagree and think that 2.5 is old enough to understand no. I’m surprised how many people disagree with that.

user1471538275 · 22/10/2025 20:23

Get an old fashioned telly cabinet. Lock it unless you're watching it.

Job done

VeronicaRaven · 23/10/2025 14:50

I didn't have a TV for years and watched everything on my laptop so that's one solution if there is anything you want to watch when your kid is not around.
You can also just buy cheap TV from Facebook marketplace or similar if you want/need one.

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