https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 22 Apr 2026 10:50:47 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-think-we-need-to-cut-out-tv-entirely-looking-for-support#post-2808882 Fri, 09 Mar 2018 21:19:33 +0000 gingerbebe 2808882@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Corduroy: we have a 3.5 year old and a 22 month old. I will say both kids around 2 had a stretch (going through it with DS2 now) where we had a lot of tantrums about TV. I think it’s just part of the developmental stage they are in about expressing preferences and trying to exert some control over their choices. With DS1 we just didn’t have TV at all for about a month. DS2 we are just setting limits for now.</p> <p>For DS1 at 3.5, if we have to take TV away, we just tell him why. You’ve had enough today, or you’re not being a good listener right now, or we aren’t watching TV right now, we are doing something else.</p> <p>For DS2, we just say the TV is all done and going night night and wave at the TV.</p> <p>One thing that helps is we don’t have cable. We only have an Apple TV. And the shows the kids are exposed to have 6-12 minute episodes. They don’t really get movies or shows with long run times. Exception is on long trips. We pay attention and watch the shows with them most of the time and before we turn it on we will say okay we are watching ONE Peppa Pig for you and ONE Wiggles episode for DS2 and then we are ALL DONE okay? We get agreement and stick to it. After one episode is over we say okay now it’s one more and we are all done. Sure they fuss, but we say now it’s allll done. BYE TV! See you later! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-think-we-need-to-cut-out-tv-entirely-looking-for-support#post-2808874 Fri, 09 Mar 2018 20:15:29 +0000 FaithFertility 2808874@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@2littlepumpkins: I do that with my 3yr old she would watch TV all day of I let her! So after a show if she asks fkr another I tell her, we need help our brain do something else... It's funny because now she will tell her brotber that lol </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-think-we-need-to-cut-out-tv-entirely-looking-for-support#post-2808873 Fri, 09 Mar 2018 20:13:17 +0000 Corduroy 2808873@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks for all the input! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-think-we-need-to-cut-out-tv-entirely-looking-for-support#post-2808867 Fri, 09 Mar 2018 19:53:02 +0000 Mrs. Goose 2808867@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@helloperidot: my kid is the same as yours and so tv hasn’t been an issue thus far in our house. She’s happy to play by herself with random stuff for long periods of time, happy to watch tv, happy to help do stuff in the kitchen , put away laundry, etc. If it becomes an issue then I’ll address it then. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-think-we-need-to-cut-out-tv-entirely-looking-for-support#post-2808865 Fri, 09 Mar 2018 19:49:30 +0000 Mrs. Champagne 2808865@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My son gets his iPad while I get ready, quite time in the afternoon, and for a few minutes for a game before bed. </p> <p>He knows those are the only times so he do ant ask outside of those times. He also knows now that if he complains about it when I say it's time to put it down, he doesn't get it the next scheduled time. Having limits that don't bend seem to help. But lately I think I need to reduce the length of time he gets it for quiet time. I'm pregnant and exhausted and need a break but I'm trying to think of other things that keep him busy. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-think-we-need-to-cut-out-tv-entirely-looking-for-support#post-2808857 Fri, 09 Mar 2018 19:39:02 +0000 lamariniere 2808857@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We’ve never had a TV, in fact, I haven’t had a TV in almost 20 years. We use the iPad for videos a couple of times a week, but that’s it. I guess my best suggestion would be to slowly wean off of it. Limit it to a few favorite shows a day and then cut down from there. We spend most afternoons after school outside, so it’s rare to have time for videos during the week. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-think-we-need-to-cut-out-tv-entirely-looking-for-support#post-2808856 Fri, 09 Mar 2018 19:38:59 +0000 helloperidot 2808856@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Okay, I'm going to be in the extreme minority here, but this is based both on my kid and what I've seen from the tv-free households I know.</p> <p>We watch TV. A lot. I have no shame about it and it's never been a problem. My kid doesn't typically zone out in front of the tv-- typically she'll be playing with her toys or coloring or painting or reading or climbing the couch or whatever her 3yo self wants to do. We usually have one of her shows on, but sometimes she wants to watch Wolf Blitzer or Anderson Cooper with me (not on heavy news days, though). We talk about what we watch if we're out in the world. See a lighthouse? It's just like the one on Paw Patrol and blahblahblah three hours of whether or not Zuma lives in that lighthouse. Washing our hands? We sing the "Bubble Scrubbies" song from Bubble Guppies and my kid tells.me all about germs and how she breathes with her lungs and how she has bones inside her and yadda yadda yadda. Point is, we treat it like any other toy in the house. Kid has access to it (meaning, I'll set up shows for her) and she'll either watch or get bored and move on.</p> <p>In contrast, my niece (also 3) comes from a tv free household. She is a TV monster. Whines for it, cries for it, throws fits about it, obsesses and zones out when she is allowed to watch. I know a handful of other kids who are low TV and they're the same way. So, in my very limited experience, it seems that if by letting my kid watch TV if she wants, she doesn't view it as an exciting forbidden treat, making it so much easier to walk away from, ignore, and go without.</p> <p>So...why not try the opposite end of the spectrum? Instead of saying absolutely no TV and making it forbidden fruit, treat it like the humdrum everyday boring experience it is. Yes, your kids will likely binge at first. But once they realize that you're not going to take it away, they'll likely get bored and go off to play and run and do everything else.</p> <p>Just like dieting-- avoid the binge setbacks by allowing for moderation. ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-think-we-need-to-cut-out-tv-entirely-looking-for-support#post-2808844 Fri, 09 Mar 2018 18:28:51 +0000 ShootingStar 2808844@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have a 4 year old and 1.5 year old. The 4 year old has gone through phases where he’s a monster about free time. At times we did total elimination for a few days and that kind of reset things. It for a long time now we’ve had success with having a routine. He gets it after dinner until bedtime and that it, so maybe 10-30 minutes a night. </p> <p>He’ll occasionally ask before dinner and I tell him no and he whines for a second and lets it go. We repeatedly tell him if he’s too demanding he won’t get it at all. Same goes at night if he doesn’t want to give it up - he gets warned if he doesn’t cooperate he won’t get it the next day. At this point I’d say 90% of the time we don’t have any issues or we just have to give one warning. </p> <p>But all kids are different. I think if it’s a serious problem you need to take it away until it’s less of an issue. And the 5 year old is old enough to be told the truth, IMO. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-think-we-need-to-cut-out-tv-entirely-looking-for-support#post-2808843 Fri, 09 Mar 2018 18:13:16 +0000 honeybear 2808843@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We're TV-less. We do movie night once a week and he rarely gets to watch anything in between weekly movies. We've been doing movies more or less weekly since about 5. </p> <p>That said, we weren't video-free between ages 2-5, and we definitely had to say no/detox from videos from time to time. Going cold turkey is really the best option. </p> <p>We almost always have music playing. Sometimes audio books, but I mostly use those in the car. </p> <p>I make a big deal out of getting new books from the library or in the mail, when I've bought new ones. I also make sure to have art supplies and some sort of "prompts" readily available. If you make something else exciting, it can blunt the impact of taking TV away. </p> <p>For sick days we read or do audio books (the latter should work with the 5 year old, but maybe not as well with the 2.5 year old unless you do some prep work to introduce audio books). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-think-we-need-to-cut-out-tv-entirely-looking-for-support#post-2808813 Fri, 09 Mar 2018 16:39:55 +0000 Ginabean3 2808813@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have a 2.5 and 5 year old and even though we have a tv in the house, they rarely watch it. They love it but when we turn it off they become crazy so we just don’t let them watch it on a regular basis. They basically only get an episode of Daniel Tiger when my brother is babysitting them. Sometimes it’s hard and super tempting not to turn it on but I remind myself how they will act when I turn it off and I’ll redirect. I give them options of other stuff to do (toys, games, books, art etc). Sometimes they wander around whiny and bored, but I’m ok with that, I just tune them out. :wink: I myself LOVE tv and have tons of shows I watch but I only do so at night after they are asleep. </p> <p>I think you can go cold turkey, just stay strong and they will get over it!good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-think-we-need-to-cut-out-tv-entirely-looking-for-support#post-2808806 Fri, 09 Mar 2018 15:57:07 +0000 Mrs. Peas 2808806@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thank you so much for starting this conversation! I have similarly aged kiddos (4 1/2 and almost 3, plus a bonus 8 month old), and we're just emerging (or trying to) from a really bad stretch with TV. I think I was just too exhausted/ overwhelmed from the demands of a full time job + keeping up a big house + 3 very little kids that I just let TV become an increasingly bigger part of our everyday routine. A few weeks ago I just decided we needed to stop. While we haven't been perfect about it, I can definitely tell a big difference. One thing that has helped us are audiobooks - I bought a bunch of picture books that they either know already or we could get from the library and with synchronized images, so it was kind of like watching a show but actually a book (I'm working on a post with our favorites actually). That has really helped bridge the gap - my goal is to wean them off all devices soon but hey baby steps right? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-think-we-need-to-cut-out-tv-entirely-looking-for-support#post-2808795 Fri, 09 Mar 2018 15:20:41 +0000 misolee 2808795@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My 5 year old is like this. She gets addicted and starts to whine about it. The two year old follows her lead. </p> <p>Some things we’ve done...<br /> They’re only allowed two shows on Fridays. That’s it. One right after school and one right after dinner. No matter sick days/snow days/ and no matter how much she begs or whines. Sometimes she asks during the week, and I remind her of our rule. If she throws a tantrum about it, then no tv on Fridays either. We have to be strict about it bc she is obsessed as well </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-think-we-need-to-cut-out-tv-entirely-looking-for-support#post-2808793 Fri, 09 Mar 2018 15:07:21 +0000 MrsRoo 2808793@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@2littlepumpkins: this. </p> <p>We are not a no TV house, but my kids go through phases like this where they just get addicted. So I tell them (4.5 and 22 minths) that too much TV is affecting their behavior and sleep, so it’s time for a break. We will take as long of a break as necessary, usually a few days- but has been up to a few weeks. And then when it comes back we implement stricter rules about how much time is allowed.<br /> DH and I are TV watchers and I solo parent most weeknights, so I don’t foresee ever getting rid of the TV permanently. </p> <p>Honestly I believe that telling my oldest why we are taking it away helps her not be as whiny about it when it’s gone. If she asks, we go over the reasons and then she accepts it. After the first day, she really finds plenty of other things to do, we listen to a lot more music, and don’t find ourselves missing the TV so much. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-think-we-need-to-cut-out-tv-entirely-looking-for-support#post-2808783 Fri, 09 Mar 2018 14:44:22 +0000 crazydoglady 2808783@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@wrkbrk: I really like the Elizabeth Mitchell and "classical goes pop" stations. :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-think-we-need-to-cut-out-tv-entirely-looking-for-support#post-2808770 Fri, 09 Mar 2018 14:07:56 +0000 2littlepumpkins 2808770@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>And I realize I'm in the minority on this thread but I wouldn't remove it or say it's broken or lie. I would tell them that I don't think it's healthy and I would let them be upset if that's how they feel. My kids might ask me to get it fixed anyway if I said it was broken. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-think-we-need-to-cut-out-tv-entirely-looking-for-support#post-2808769 Fri, 09 Mar 2018 14:06:56 +0000 brownepiano 2808769@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We're a no-tv house and our kids survive. We watch stuff in our bedroom on laptops after they go to bed. Sometimes it stinks being stuck with tiny screens but in the long run it's what we wanted. The kids are 4 and 1.5. They are very good at entertaining themselves because I refuse to be a constant source of entertainment (although not from lack of them asking).</p> <p>For a while we were getting a kid's tablet from the library for Mr 4 as a reward for staying in his rooms for naptime. That stopped when he started having meltdowns about not getting to play all the time. </p> <p>What to do without screens for sick days? Read books, pull out stored toys that feel new, do special baths, color together. Lay on the couch and demand that they find something to do! We definitely run into grumpy times where they are just wandering around complaining. If Mr 4 is doing that I tell him he can choose something to do or I will choose for him and he can do it in his room. He usually winds up reading a book or something. Mr 1.5 is much better at entertaining himself. He gets a snack when he's really grumpy. </p> <p>For mornings, Mr 4 has an ok to wake clock in his room. Mr 1.5 can't open doors yet, so he just stays in his room till I get him. They do fine playing in their rooms till 7. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-think-we-need-to-cut-out-tv-entirely-looking-for-support#post-2808766 Fri, 09 Mar 2018 14:05:32 +0000 2littlepumpkins 2808766@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We just told them no for awhile and let them throw a fit. When it came back it was once a day at the same time every day and it's been that way now for months. The only exception is when they are sick or if we had some kind of huge outing and they're super super tired. But I think we've made that second exception less than five times in six months. And they are home a lot bc I'm only pt so it's a lot of time to pass no tv. They spend a lot of time outside in the yard! What tv does to destroy their moods it seems like outside time repairs. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-think-we-need-to-cut-out-tv-entirely-looking-for-support#post-2808763 Fri, 09 Mar 2018 13:54:44 +0000 wrkbrk 2808763@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@crazydoglady: Pandora - smart!! I am stealing this. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-think-we-need-to-cut-out-tv-entirely-looking-for-support#post-2808753 Fri, 09 Mar 2018 13:41:01 +0000 Jennibenni 2808753@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Corduroy: I personally wouldn’t remove it. That sounds like a huge ordeal. I’d definitely try the “broken” route first! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-think-we-need-to-cut-out-tv-entirely-looking-for-support#post-2808749 Fri, 09 Mar 2018 13:33:13 +0000 looch 2808749@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Corduroy: if you can't take it down, you could unplug it.</p> <p>That's what my mom does at her house. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-think-we-need-to-cut-out-tv-entirely-looking-for-support#post-2808747 Fri, 09 Mar 2018 13:26:25 +0000 crazydoglady 2808747@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>With my morning sickness, I was depending a lot on TV for my 2.5 y/o, but I feel myself coming out the other side. I think the key for TV (for me, at least) is balance. When I get home from work, pandora goes on because I need SOMETHING and then TV isn't turned on until after dinner. So the most DS will watch is 45 minutes a day before bed. I am cool with that. Weekends are more of a time to watch a movie and then be done. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-think-we-need-to-cut-out-tv-entirely-looking-for-support#post-2808745 Fri, 09 Mar 2018 13:11:34 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2808745@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>When DH gets LO ready on weekdays he has the sound on , but the actual visuals are off. LO can listen to nursery rhymes, but not see them. Maybe substitute TV with music?</p> <p>LO, who is almost two, gets one program at a time. He's pretty used to it at this point and doesn't fuss, but sometimes he'll ask for more. Redirection and going to another room has been key. Some weekend days the TV is off all day because we are just busy doing other things around the house. There was a time when LO expected Sesame Street every night and we turned TV off for everyone to reset expectations. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-think-we-need-to-cut-out-tv-entirely-looking-for-support#post-2808743 Fri, 09 Mar 2018 12:59:40 +0000 nana87 2808743@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Our tv was "broken" for about 10 months, starting when lo1 was about 2y7m. She just could NOT deal with it without having tantrums over the limits we set. It actually wasn't as bad as I thought--she quickly got over it. The hard part was making sure it was always off when she was around, like waiting until she was actually asleep at night. </p> <p>Starting this past fall again, we announced that the tv was working for sports so that we could have it on for dh, but now that she understands slightly better the limits we've set we let her watch things occasionally on weekends or sick/snow days. It's tough though, she always wants more, and if we agree to a movie night, she whines until it;s time to start it. It hasn't gotten quite as bad as it used to be again, but we would cut it off again if we needed to </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-think-we-need-to-cut-out-tv-entirely-looking-for-support#post-2808740 Fri, 09 Mar 2018 12:57:05 +0000 Corduroy 2808740@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Woolly Mammoth: We tried a small amount of daily TV with LO1 and it was a disaster. She just wants more, more, more. </p> <p>I talked to DH about removing the TV. It is a 61” wall mounted TV so removing it and storing it would be no small feat. Painting and patching would be involved. We’re going to try something short of removal first. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-think-we-need-to-cut-out-tv-entirely-looking-for-support#post-2808730 Fri, 09 Mar 2018 12:19:23 +0000 Woolly Mammoth 2808730@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I could see going either direction, actually.</p> <p>My initial reaction would be to cut it entirely, but I wonder if having to wait all week for it doesn't make them want it more?</p> <p>I could see allowing one thirty minute show a day, plus a longer movie on Saturdays. Or I could see just getting rid of the TV. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-think-we-need-to-cut-out-tv-entirely-looking-for-support#post-2808721 Fri, 09 Mar 2018 11:57:40 +0000 Mama Bird 2808721@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We did no TV for several months when DS was around three, because he couldn't take limits, would space out completely in front of a screen, and threw huge tantrums when he was done watching something. He's better with limits now, and the kids usually watch one short cartoon before bed. DD follows his lead, so when he's done watching, she's done too.</p> <p>The downside is, they're not really into TV now, they're more into tearing up the house. I just never know when DS will go borrowing Sharpies off my dresser (supposedly they're better than markers :bummed: ), and when DD will decide to paint DS's desk with a glue stick. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-think-we-need-to-cut-out-tv-entirely-looking-for-support#post-2808720 Fri, 09 Mar 2018 11:57:06 +0000 wrkbrk 2808720@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>When we built our house last year we purposely didnt put a tv anywhere except our bedroom so it hopefully would never be a focus for our then 15 month old. That said, he certainly watches it, but we control when and how long because it's in our bedroom! He is on a Sing kick right now - probably gets 30 minutes before school and 30 minutes while we cook dinner! I think if you move your tv that would be a great first step! And then maybe you can re-introduce it after a few months. Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-think-we-need-to-cut-out-tv-entirely-looking-for-support#post-2808719 Fri, 09 Mar 2018 11:55:02 +0000 maddyz 2808719@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I go through phases... it's super hard. BUT i find that a really pay when i have been leaning on TV too much. The 30 minute of relative quiet are not worth the HOURS of whining about it.</p> <p>I think that changing the layout to not center the TV would help a lot. We have a computer that we watch shows on sometimes, it's to the side in the main room. we are in the processes of moving it our bedroom to help remove it as an option. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-think-we-need-to-cut-out-tv-entirely-looking-for-support#post-2808713 Fri, 09 Mar 2018 11:42:13 +0000 Baby Boy Mom 2808713@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We put our only tv in storage for over a year. It was good! Kids adjusted easily. Honestly I was the one that wanted it back for watching in the evenings. When we did bring it back it was with Apple TV so there are very limited things they can watch. They hardly ever ask to watch and we know it’s guaranteed whininess after they do. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-think-we-need-to-cut-out-tv-entirely-looking-for-support#post-2808712 Fri, 09 Mar 2018 11:39:18 +0000 looch 2808712@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am like your daughter, I LOOOOOVE TV and can get addicted quickly. If it makes you feel any better, I am a fully functioning member of society, with an advanced degree and a full time job, lol.</p> <p>But for the real solutions right now, your options are either cold turkey or stages. My son is mostly TV free, but he has the ability to watch programming on Netflix or YouTube Kids on his ipad.</p> <p>If you got rid of the TV, could you manage for yourself without it? Like watching your shows on Netflix on an ipad after the kids bedtime? </p>