I'm having ongoing issues with the TV, and it's driving me crazy. 2 hours a day is the limit for my 4-year-old, but now his 3-year-old sister has decided she wants to watch things, too. They cannot agree on the same shows. OK fine. The girl will watch one of her shows and the boy wanders off to another room and colors. So, she used some of her TV time, but he didn't since he was coloring.
But when he comes back to use his, the girl would be in the same room and watch whatever he watches, so she'd get over her 2 hours, then. Telling them to agree on one thing isn't working because one does not always stay to watch what the other is watching. I am using the best of my math abilities to keep track of who used what and how much time each has left. I hate this! I appreciate having the TV on for 2 hours because during that time I can get stuff done or rest (I am pregnant). But, I am very opposed to going over this limit. Help!
I want to follow the recommendation that no child watch over 2 hours a day, but with multiple kids this is really hard! And I'm always changing shows or channels based on what they want, whereas before I could put in a 2 hour movie for my son and rest while he watched it. (I am not trying to be lazy, but I am pregnant and exhausted). There is still a whole day to fill after TV time!
This is just an update. I told my son he could not turn on the TV just now. All day long it's a battle of when to watch and use the 2 hrs. I think he has 30 minutes left but honestly I'm too tired to keep track today! It stinks! He is screaming now, asking why his sister got to watch one of her shows.
The situation is getting worse. The TV controls all of us.
Ok at this point I am going to say No more TV. Not because I think it's bad or anything like that, but because if they can not see it as a privlege and share then they do not get to see it at all.
I would say 2 hours total for the day and if they are not in the room when its TV time then they miss out on their time.
how about MOM picks the tv show/channel and instead of giving them 2 hours through out the day, you have a set schedule...8-10 or what ever is tv time on (my cartoon channel) qubo if the child choses to do something else during the FAMILY tv time...that's their problem and no tv...
that's what i do with my kids, one morning we'll watch this channel the next morning, the other channel, etc. and they have til 10 to be ready for the day, breakfast, getting dressed etc...if you sleep in, your problem, if you don't want to watch tv, your problem if you wake up at 7 you get 3hours, sleep in til 9 1 hour, end of story
o and another thing, if either of them tries turning the tv channel on you, move the tv up high and take the remote so they can't
You've got the kids running you ragged here. Forget TV programs. Let them take turns picking a video, put it in, and when it's done, turn off the TV. "You didn't watch it all? Too bad. Tomorrow, you can pick your favorite."
Since no TV isn't an option since you need the rest, how about each gets to pick one program, and the other can either watch it or not. There TV may even be less than 2 hours that way. The other option is a movie, taking turns each day to pick one. Again, the other can watch or not.
We don't have cable and my kids, beyond Curious George and the occasional movie treat aren't that into tv (trust me there are days I wished they liked tv more! :) ). But a close friend has a similar problem in her house. Her children are only a year apart, like yours. She has a one hour limit. MWF her daughter chooses, she is the older child so she gets the extra day. And T TH the son chooses what to watch. If they choose not to participate, fine, but the time is not "made up" or "reimbursed" later.
I would say they get 2 hours total tv time and if they leave the room and choose not to watch what is on that is their loss. Or you could split it up that she gets to pick on hour of shows and he gets to pick one hour of shows and that way if your son or daughter wants to stay in the room while the other watches their choice they still aren't getting over 2 hrs.
Like other mothers have said, limit the choices for them. Choose a time period where you need a break (it's OK to feel that way, ESPECIALLY when you are pregnant!) Then let each of them choose a show or two to fill up that time. Then they are each getting a time frame when they get to watch what they like AND you are avoiding keeping track of time in small increments. Just set a precedent that you are choosing "TV Time" each day but they are able to choose which show (within reason!)
I would tell them absolutely no tv if they do not agree to watch the same thing. They are similiar in age so the appropriate shows should be not too hard to find.
We have this policy for the Wii. Both boys need to agree to a game and play nicely together or no Wii at all. More often than not, they will agree to work together because they rather play Wii than not to play at all.
I totally understand the being pregnant and exhausted scenario! (And I have a 4, 2, and 1 year old as well - I'm beat!)
Yes, I agree, I would pick the 2 hrs you need the "down time" the most, and set a timer. Make the expectations clear ahead of time, keep giving reminders, make a chart that your kids could fill in (colors? stickers?) after 30 minutes has been watched. I would even go as far as saying the TV can be on for 2 hours a day TOTAL, no matter what show was watched, who picked what, etc.
I've been tempted myself to just get rid of our TV all together, for similar reasons!
On a different note, is there a middle school or high school age kid in the neighborhood that would come over after school and take your kiddos outside or downstairs for a couple of hours? Like a Mother's helper - $10 for a couple of hours of my sanity and some rest would be priceless to me! ;)
Hang in there, Mama!
I've heard of people using the "chip" system. Each child would put in a chip (like poker chips) for TV time. They could take turns picking the show and then if the other one wants to watch it they have to put in their chip as well.
Don't let your kids choose. Say we're watching these two shows today and if you want to see it stay in the room, if not, leave. Pick one the boy likes and one the girl likes and that's the end. My parents did this with us and it was not a problem. You're the mom, you set the tone for the home. If its more quiet time you need, get them coloring or something quiet and tell them they can't come bug you unless they're bleeding or vomiting. ;) Then lay on the couch where you can hear what's going on, but have some quiet too. You should not have to keep up with this, your kids should be happy that you let them watch TV at all.
Best wishes!
I would pick the time of day you need TV the most. Then, get a stash of videos of the shows they like best (netflix or other place should have tv shows available), or just stick with videos. Your local library should have a good selection to check out new ones too.
We have Bob the Builder, Thomas, Maisy, Winnie the Pooh, and a bunch of Scholastic videos (of books made into movies) and I turn it on when I need a break (like now!) and the kids can pick one. They have to agree, and when it's over, that's it. My boys like Dinosaur Train, and it's on at a time of day when I need a break (and their sister is sleeping) and so many days that is what they watch it's a half an hour, maybe they get one more show after that for an hour total and that's all we get that day. We also don't watch every day.
Now, I have had to go without my break if we have bad behavior at the end of TV time. My kids know that if they wine, fuss, try to turn it back on, or some other kind of post tv tantrum, I make a calendar and start adding days with no TV. We've gone as long as a month without TV when there were fights about turning it off. At this point, all I have to do is remind them that they are about to lose TV for a few days and they move on to something else.
You are in charge of your TV, have them help you pick the things to watch, then you decide when they get their two hours.
J.
