Help, My Son Loves TV and He's Only 2 1/2

I feel you L.! My son is also 2 1/2 and thinks the tv is fantastic. He's home with me this summer (I'm a teacher so off) and although we have very busy days, it seems like there is always that little down time where tv creeps in... and I'm not 8 months pregnant!!!

What has worked for us is to limit him to "one show" at a time and limit the programs to ones I think he gets something out of rather than sort of mindless entertainment (our favorites are Sesame Street, Little Einsteins, and Mickey Mouse Club House) We have a DVR so I never let him watch anything on live tv... that way you don't have to worry about the next show starting before you get up to turn it off. he usually watches one show in the morning while I shower and another in the evening while I make dinner. Other than that, when there is down time (I think he likes tv when he is bored or doesn't know what to do with himself), I get out a puzzle and ask him to do it, find the "word wammer" phonics game, or give him markers and ask him to draw a picture for me.

You are doing a great job, so don't worry about a little tv, just try to choose programs that have some intellectual stimulation or require him to participate rather than just watch.

Congratulations on your growing family.
T.

1 mom found this helpful

Dear L.,

A two-½ year old child is not born with a remote control in his hand. There’s nothing wrong with a few cartoons and educational television. Like everything else in life (except love and discipline), moderation is the key. I suggest you and dad set the limits while your still the biggest!

L.,
I too have a 2.5 year old son and if he had his way he would totally dominate the remote control. I do limit the TV watching and make other activities part of his daily routine, which includes a total of 2 hours of tv scattered throughout the day. I have two teenagers in addition to my 2.5 year old and it's been my experience that once they start pre-school and started play dates with other kids on a regular basis they were not as interested in the TV. The other thing I would suggest is a sport or little gym class (just to get out of the house a little). I'm looking into that right now for my little buddy!

It sounds to me like he's not a monster, and he is limited so that's good. I would suggest you cut to morning cartoons to half an hour, so that he can watch one more show after nap. Spread it out more and he may bug you less. I had similar issues with my son when he was that age and tried the chart to no avail. But you could number them verbally as he's watching them. My kids are 6 and 4 now and still ask for "last show of the day".

Hi L.,
Okay. First, make sure you talk to your husband so that you are on the same page. I'm a TV junkie, and I managed to watch no TV in front of my son until he was 3. It nearly killed me, but it is absolutely doable. We started letting him watch 30 minutes a day once he was about 2.5. Once you decide how much TV is okay for him, you and your husband need to hold firm. Your son will whine and complain, but after a few days he will learn that whining and complaining isn't working. If he knows how to turn on the TV, find a way to cover the button, etc., so that he is unable to do so. Be sure to have other activities for your son to do, ideally with you or your husband. Kids are still pretty easily distracted at that age. If you have a couple new, engaging items for your son, you should be able to pry him away. Maybe try to have something he can do w/ his hands, like Play-doh (assuming that's age appropriate) or painting on an easel with washable paint. If you and your husband hold firm and present a united front while offering your son good alternatives, you will succeed!

Don't be too hard on yourself. You're very pregnant and dealing with an insistent 2 year old! I don't actually think there's much wrong with letting them watch a little TV at this age. Parents who tell you their kids never watch TV are lying anyway. =)

I'd maybe pick a few of his favorite shows and let him watch them, but as you're sitting him down in front of the TV, let him know that as soon as Bob the Builder is over, you'll be turning the TV off. Remind him a time or two during the show. Then he won't protest (too much) when you turn the TV off.

By the way, I asked a friend of mine who does language therapy with little kids, why little ones are always asking the same question over and over, even after you answer it. It's not because they are trying to get you to change your answer, it's because not all the synapses in their little brains have developed yet. So although they heard your answer, they'll keep asking because the answer hasn't really "sunk in" yet. She said the best thing to do is keep repeating your answer the same way each time. Eventually it will sink in. (This has saved me some sanity... because even my 6 year old does this still!)

Enjoy your little guy and good luck with your upcoming birth!