Driving me NUTS about the TV!

I don't have a problem with letting my kids watch TV. I never have. In fact, since early on (6 months old) they have watched baby einstein videos. However, I do care how much they watch. I will let them watch a show in the morning and one before they go to bed. The going to bed one has always been apart of our routine. I added the one in the morning probably 6-8 months ago so I could get stuff done in the morning.

Anyways, lately they are driving me NUTS with wanting to watch TV all the time. Especially DS....all I hear is "Ro-Ro T"...which means he wants to watch Little Einsteins (they call the rocket ship ro-ro). I got laxed about it for awhile and would let them watch a show or 2 through out the day mainly because I got tired of listening to the whining and meltdowns. DS will literally keep going for an hr. or hour and half and drive you insane! I try to get them redirected to another activity, but it never lasts long and then they are back to asking for the TV on. When I don't comply, then I deal with tantrums.

I am just wondering.....for those that let their kids watch TV, have you noticed that they get to where they want to watch it all the time? I am about ready to get rid of the TV...my BIL & SIL put their TV in their basement. I didn't understand why (and thought it was a little overkill) until now. Now, I completely understand....out of sight, out of mind.

 

Laura, you're not alone. My girls watch very little TV, but when they do, they always ask for more. I'll put on a 30 minute DVD of Signing Times and when it's over they'll practically beg me to run it again. And they'll remember for days that they watched Little Bear or Signing Times and will ask randomly to watch TV again. I have definitely noticed that the more TV they watch, the more they ask for it.

 

This is a slippery slope for us. Even now (when they're older and theoretically more able to understand things like rules), if I let them watch an extra TV show just once, they're begging for extra shows for a few weeks. I've found that the less they watch, the less they ask for it (and vice versa, as Tricia said).

If you've been sticking to your guns for several days and they're still having tantrums about it, you might need to cut them off for a little while, or at least go back to just having that one show at bedtime. But definitely pick a time (or two times) that is always TV time, and never, ever give in to their requests to watch at other times.

 

When my girls start going on rants about the TV, then I start cutting out their TV time drastically. It helps a bunch! I just notice with my girls when they watch too much TV they cry about it more, so if I cut it out almost completely for a couple of days, they will hardly say anything about it at all. I will usually get them up in the mornings and just tell, "Okay, today we have no TV' They will fuss, but a drastic cut in TV time for a couple of days and I won't hear them fussing about it at all.

 

QUOTE(Minette @ Jun 26 2009, 10:25 AM) [snapback]1369927[/snapback]
But definitely pick a time (or two times) that is always TV time, and never, ever give in to their requests to watch at other times.



Thanks for the suggestion. My DH and I spoke about this at lunch. This is exactly what we are going to do.....pick a set TV time and then that's it. If after 5 days or so and they are still throwing fits about it then we will probably so no TV at all.

I feel good knowing that DH is on board with the plan. We will see how it goes. In the past, he could careless about how much TV they watch. BUT...he understands why it is driving me nuts and is willing to support me on this.

 

I have done basically what the others have said about cutting it down more than they would usually watch and usually I will keep it that way for a while. One other thing I might do if they ask for tv is turn it on but have it on a music station and usually the music station makes them happy too, since they love to dance to the music.

 

QUOTE(Minette @ Jun 26 2009, 11:25 AM) [snapback]1369927[/snapback]
If you've been sticking to your guns for several days and they're still having tantrums about it, you might need to cut them off for a little while, or at least go back to just having that one show at bedtime. But definitely pick a time (or two times) that is always TV time, and never, ever give in to their requests to watch at other times.

I was going to say something similar.


QUOTE(momofb/gtwins @ Jun 26 2009, 01:53 PM) [snapback]1370125[/snapback]
Thanks for the suggestion. My DH and I spoke about this at lunch. This is exactly what we are going to do.....pick a set TV time and then that's it. If after 5 days or so and they are still throwing fits about it then we will probably so no TV at all.

I feel good knowing that DH is on board with the plan. We will see how it goes. In the past, he could careless about how much TV they watch. BUT...he understands why it is driving me nuts and is willing to support me on this.

That's great that you are both on board!! It sounds like a great plan. :good:


Other than the occasional rainy/snowy/sick days we have it on from 10-11 for Sesame Street, and sometimes in the afternoon when the crazies set in and its time for dinner. It's pretty much become a part of our routine, BUT, I will echo the PP's and say on the occasions where we've needed it more in a day, the demands from them come hard and fast following those days. I stick to my guns though!!

 

TV and video games are the same. Do it a little and they want it constantly. Put it away and they forget about it. Also, when they start watching TV or playing video games (we just have a Wii), they get "bored" and whiny so much easier. They argue more and are less creative... and even when they're playing and being creative, it revolves around movie or TV characters. We went without any TV (no cable at all) and maybe a movie per week, for 2 1/2 years. It was fabulous. Now we have super basic cable, with just the local channels and a few shopping networks, and we watch it too much. But we have a no daytime rule on it, so that helps. If I happen to sit down and turn it on (I do occasionally now since nursing a newborn), it's amazing how fast they come running from outside, like some homing beacon has just gone off. It all reminds me of that Batman movie w/ Jim Carey, where they had the device stuck to people's foreheads sucking out their brainwaves!

 

Our TV viewing goes in spurts and yes, the more we watch the more they want it. I've had to do the cut it out altogether thing a few times and it works wonders.

The other advice I have it to just keep them out of the TV room. It's easier now during the summer and we are outside so much. I notice my girls ask for it when there is a lull in what we are doing - so keep 'em busy!!

 

Just don't turn it on the first time for a few days and they'll get over it!

We went through a phase. There were days they watched more and days they didn't watch at all. Just keep em' guessing!! Tell them the Ro Ro is gone right now.

Now, I am pretty lax in the a.m., but when I turn it off the play for HOURS and HOURS without thinking of it and they are also super busy with activities, so in the evening I do let them have some shows. But I feel like they are really well rounded in their activities and are able to play without it.

Just play it by ear and try to ignore the meltdowns and show them NOW that you are in control of it!! :hug:

 

I could have written this post! Only mine say "MELMO" (elmo) ALL day. We have been having so much rain here lately that I'v been letting them so now anytime we are int the house that is all I hear, and when I turm it of they say "uh-oh, where Melmo?" forever until it turns into a tantrum.
<_<

 

Yep, I get "I want to watch something!" too. We also have set times, and that seems to help. I really have to stick to the one-show limit, even if we're having a rainy/blah day, or I'm tired and I would rather them sit there. If I do two shows one day (30 min show), then the next day it's "But yesterday we watched two." so it's not worth it.

 

I find this kind of funny because ironically, I have the opposite problem. I can't get them to sit and watch a show so that I CAN have a break. My kids grew up with the tv on 24/7. Dh and I are big tv watchers as well and since they were born, they were exposed to television (though I only ever let them watch educational programming. Nothing crappy). Now my kids are immune to the tv. They could care less. Once in a while there will be something that might catch their attention but for the most part, it's just on as background noise (sometimes). I think by having so much exposure early on, there is no WOW factor to it which I'm kind of happy about. They are super smart girls and have learned soooooooooo much from the programs they have watched. Part of me is happy that they are not that interested in it. It was great for them to be into it when they were younger because now that they are older and not that into it and have better ability to use their imaginations, they are being so creative in their play.

Sorry none of this helps you now. I guess I don't have this problem and I think it's because I exposed them so much early on that there is no novelty to it now. Sorry it's driving you crazy. That must be so hard.

 

In response to Double-or-nothing:

I often wonder if I shouldn't be so anal about the TV watching. We have both extremes in our family. On one side (my DH's sister & husband) didn't allow their child to watch any TV whatsoever. They actually moved their TV to the basement because they didn't watch TV and didn't want her too. Now that she is 7 they allow her to watch 15 minutes a day. They set a timer and when the timer goes off that is it. On the opposite end, my brother & SIL always have the TV on in their house. Their boys are not limited whatsoever. I have noticed that the boys show little interest now in watching TV even though their TV is on nearly 24/7. I can certainly see your point that there is no novelty to it now. I just can't seem to relax about it though. My DH is not as uptight about it as I am. However, I am the one who stays home with them and I don't like the TV to stay on just for the sake of background noise. I also worry about what the experts say....no TV before 2 and only 2 hours of TV after the age of 2. We certainly broke the no TV before age of 2, though.

 

QUOTE(momofb/gtwins @ Jun 28 2009, 10:38 PM) [snapback]1372908[/snapback]
In response to Double-or-nothing:

I often wonder if I shouldn't be so anal about the TV watching. We have both extremes in our family. On one side (my DH's sister & husband) didn't allow their child to watch any TV whatsoever. They actually moved their TV to the basement because they didn't watch TV and didn't want her too. Now that she is 7 they allow her to watch 15 minutes a day. They set a timer and when the timer goes off that is it. On the opposite end, my brother & SIL always have the TV on in their house. Their boys are not limited whatsoever. I have noticed that the boys show little interest now in watching TV even though their TV is on nearly 24/7. I can certainly see your point that there is no novelty to it now. I just can't seem to relax about it though. My DH is not as uptight about it as I am. However, I am the one who stays home with them and I don't like the TV to stay on just for the sake of background noise. I also worry about what the experts say....no TV before 2 and only 2 hours of TV after the age of 2. We certainly broke the no TV before age of 2, though.



http://www.webmd.com/parenting/features/qu...elines-for-kids

I found this article for you that I read a while back. When you have a chance read the entire article (it's only two pages). It kind of backs my approach to t.v. I totally believe that quality is more important than quantity. I have never let my kids watch mindless cartoons. All programs I have allowed them to watch (including dvds) are educational, slow paced and help to develop vocabulary and language. Programs such as Dora and Diego, Yo Gabba Gabba, Mickey Mouse Club House, Baby Einstein (my girls still watch this), Brainy Baby, Ni Hao Kai Lan (yes, my girls have learned some chinese words...how cool!), Blue's Clue's and these types of shows. My girls have an unbelievable vocabulary and have had one since 18 months. Now, they pretty much only watch 1-2 shows in the morning, maybe one show in the afternoon, and sometimes one show in the evening before bed. It's really up to you. I think as with everything in life, as long as you have a balance no harm can come from them watching tv. As long as they are also have quality play time and getting out of the house from time to time and having playdates etc. they will be just fine. I actually do turn off the tv more now during the day when they/we are busy doing other things.

I pretty much only let them watch shows on Noggin (which is all preschool age programming), Playhouse Disney which is on the mornings, kids 13 and some times I let them watch Nick Jr. but only during certain times of the day when they are showing appropriate programming (I refuse to let them watch Sponge Bob. That to me is crap and too fast paced for their cognitive capability).

I hope I don't come off as trying to push you to let your kids watch more tv. I'm just offering you the laid back approach (my approach) to the whole thing. Unfortunately, we live in an area where winter and cold weather is about 6 months of the year and we end up spending A LOT of time in the house during those months so tv can be a major sanity saver for us all. I think if we lived somewhere that was warm year round we would be out and about more often and tv would be much less of a part of our lives than it is now but I would still have the same feelings about it.

Good luck in whatever you do.

 

Good article! Thanks for sharing!! I do need to take a more relaxed approach to it. Here is a couple of good points from the article:

But developmental psychologist Deborah L. Linebarger, PhD, says it's premature to advise against all television for babies. Linebarger, an assistant professor at the University of Pennsylvania's Annenberg School for Communication, tells WebMD, "There's not enough evidence to make a recommendation either way. To save parents' sanity, we should give them some cautions but go with the moderation approach."

In Linebarger's view, content is much more of a concern than quantity. Kids are better off watching moderate amounts of educational programming than even small amounts of shows with inappropriate content, she says. "It's not whether to let them watch. It's what you let them watch." According to the study, which appears in the American Behavioral Scientist, watching Dora the Explorer, Blue's Clues, Arthur, Clifford, or Dragon Tales was associated with greater vocabularies and higher expressive language scores at 2.5 years old.

But don't unplug your TV just yet. Other studies show preschoolers who watch high-quality educational television programs tend to score better on reading and math tests.

I will say that Sesame Street is my new best friend. I have been letting them watch it in the morning after breakfast. We also still allow a Little Einstein in the evening before bed. The first couple of days were rough (with tantrums). BUT....knock on wood, it is getting better. They are actually independently playing in their rooms again! YEA!!

 

QUOTE(momofb/gtwins @ Jun 30 2009, 10:39 AM) [snapback]1375382[/snapback]
Good article! Thanks for sharing!! I do need to take a more relaxed approach to it. Here is a couple of good points from the article:

But developmental psychologist Deborah L. Linebarger, PhD, says it's premature to advise against all television for babies. Linebarger, an assistant professor at the University of Pennsylvania's Annenberg School for Communication, tells WebMD, "There's not enough evidence to make a recommendation either way. To save parents' sanity, we should give them some cautions but go with the moderation approach."

In Linebarger's view, content is much more of a concern than quantity. Kids are better off watching moderate amounts of educational programming than even small amounts of shows with inappropriate content, she says. "It's not whether to let them watch. It's what you let them watch." According to the study, which appears in the American Behavioral Scientist, watching Dora the Explorer, Blue's Clues, Arthur, Clifford, or Dragon Tales was associated with greater vocabularies and higher expressive language scores at 2.5 years old.

But don't unplug your TV just yet. Other studies show preschoolers who watch high-quality educational television programs tend to score better on reading and math tests.

I will say that Sesame Street is my new best friend. I have been letting them watch it in the morning after breakfast. We also still allow a Little Einstein in the evening before bed. The first couple of days were rough (with tantrums). BUT....knock on wood, it is getting better. They are actually independently playing in their rooms again! YEA!!


Those were exactly the points I hoped you would see. (that's why I said read the WHOLE article LOL). Anyway, glad it is working out better for you. Now EVERYONE can be happy and that makes for a happy home.

It's like never allowing your kids to have ANY junk food. Once they finally are introduced to it (and they WILL eventually be so), they will crave it like mad. Everything in moderation...everything.

 

One thing I didn't like about Noggin when we were in the US last year was the commercials. Here in Mexico we only get 4 channels and they don't really have little kids programming on those channels so my girls always watched DVDs. At my parents house they watched PBS early in the morning, but if they watched at a later time it was Noggin and it that was their first exposure to commercials aimed at kids. I REALLY noticed a change in them asking for things. Before we could browse the toy isle and be like ohh that looks neat, look at it, then put it back on the shelf and they NEVER asked for it. At this was up until a month before their 4th birthday. But being exposed to those commercials on Noggin and maybe US life in general changed that. That was the one thing about the amount of TV they watched in the US I wasn't happy about.
Otherwise I was very impressed by the quality of many of the shows and the amount of stuff they learned from it--they were even speaking CHINESE! IF we'd had that instead of the smurfs, we'd all be geniouses now!

I'd even consider showing Yo Gabba Gabba to my university English learners, I loved the way the images and repetition really reinforced the language imput in that show.

 

QUOTE(Meximeli @ Jun 30 2009, 07:39 PM) [snapback]1376141[/snapback]
One thing I didn't like about Noggin when we were in the US last year was the commercials. Here in Mexico we only get 4 channels and they don't really have little kids programming on those channels so my girls always watched DVDs. At my parents house they watched PBS early in the morning, but if they watched at a later time it was Noggin and it that was their first exposure to commercials aimed at kids. I REALLY noticed a change in them asking for things. Before we could browse the toy isle and be like ohh that looks neat, look at it, then put it back on the shelf and they NEVER asked for it. At this was up until a month before their 4th birthday. But being exposed to those commercials on Noggin and maybe US life in general changed that. That was the one thing about the amount of TV they watched in the US I wasn't happy about.
Otherwise I was very impressed by the quality of many of the shows and the amount of stuff they learned from it--they were even speaking CHINESE! IF we'd had that instead of the smurfs, we'd all be geniouses now!

I'd even consider showing Yo Gabba Gabba to my university English learners, I loved the way the images and repetition really reinforced the language imput in that show.


Melissa, are sure you are talking about Noggin or do you mean Nick Jr.? Nick Jr. does regular commercials but Noggin never ever has commercials for products. The only commercials they do (at least here in NY anyway) are commercials for their own channel. That is one of the main things I absolutely love about Noggin. They are not throwing toys and stuff in their face. Nick Jr. however is very annoying like that and I do my best to quickly change the channel or turn the tv off when they show is over.

Actually, now that I think about it, it may have been about a year ago that Noggin switched to 24 hour preschool programming. Noggin has a seperate channel now that is geared towards tweens/teens. I think it's called The N? Noggin used to be only 6am-6pm and then it turned into Noggin for older kids (again, I think it was called The N.) But now they have them as seperate channels.

 

QUOTE(double-or-nothing @ Jun 30 2009, 05:20 PM) [snapback]1376055[/snapback]
It's like never allowing your kids to have ANY junk food. Once they finally are introduced to it (and they WILL eventually be so), they will crave it like mad. Everything in moderation...everything.



So True!

 

QUOTE(Meximeli @ Jun 30 2009, 06:39 PM) [snapback]1376141[/snapback]
One thing I didn't like about Noggin when we were in the US last year was the commercials.



This is why I LOVE the DVR! I can fast forward through the commercials. I also like the Disney Channel because their shows are commercial free.

 

It was Noggin, it was on the dish network and it was only noggin until about 6, then it was shows like Drake and Josh. First there was the first part of a puzzel, then 2-3 commericals, then the solution to the puzzel.