https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 21 May 2026 16:37:57 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-replace-screen-time-with#post-2260545 Tue, 11 Aug 2015 07:21:07 +0000 daniellemybelle 2260545@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Aandmklover: @brady80: @birdofafeather: Thanks for that suggestion! It had been a few months since I had tried that and it was a disaster, but I've tried again recently and it has been great! I feel dumb that I didn't think of it. She has dusted pretty much the whole floor with a paper towel at this point :)</p> <p>We haven't been perfect but we have skipped screen time almost every morning since this thread and I don't know if it is a coincidence but she's been behaving better! Yesterday she did watch a LOT of TV in the afternoon because I had to work and she only napped 45 minutes. Then she was horrible at the grocery store - not sure if it was the short nap or TV or both! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-replace-screen-time-with#post-2258878 Sat, 08 Aug 2015 23:24:39 +0000 brady80 2258878@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Is your LO old enough to "help"? My daughter loves to "clean" so if I have to get stuff done in the kitchen, I'll fill up the sink, give her some toys or plastic bowls to wash. That way I can keep an eye on her and get things done. I then give her a few towels to clean up the floor since she spills most of the water on the floor. The good news is, that's another 10 minute activity! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-replace-screen-time-with#post-2258449 Sat, 08 Aug 2015 00:10:24 +0000 birdofafeather 2258449@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Aandmklover: yep. we do the same. i don't wait for LO to be asleep now for chores because that's me time! not washing the dishes, putting away clothes time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-replace-screen-time-with#post-2258447 Sat, 08 Aug 2015 00:04:11 +0000 Freckles 2258447@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>At that age, a big shopping basket filled with random containers of different sizes, water and bubbles = about 20 minutes of fun time without having to get on pinterest. Painting was also another great activity. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-replace-screen-time-with#post-2258441 Fri, 07 Aug 2015 23:45:59 +0000 mrbee 2258441@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@daniellemybelle: Get the expansion set if you can! My kids got waaay more into MagnaTiles after they got more pieces!!</p> <p><a href="http://www.hellobee.com/2014/01/24/magnatiles-the-best-toy-ever/" rel="nofollow">http://www.hellobee.com/2014/01/24/magnatiles-the-best-toy-ever/</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-replace-screen-time-with#post-2258440 Fri, 07 Aug 2015 23:44:41 +0000 Aandmklover 2258440@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Sometimes it's more work than it's worth but I always had my LO help me with chores. There are times where I don't get anything done besides keep him busy but other times he was helpful. Now at (almost) 3 he helps me put his clothes away, gathers dirty laundry and helps put his dishes and the Tupperware away. He loves to sweep and he will always put (the correct) things in the trash. And I always turn music on when we do chores. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-replace-screen-time-with#post-2258432 Fri, 07 Aug 2015 23:22:50 +0000 daniellemybelle 2258432@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsRcCar: Sounds like you are a great mommy! :)</p> <p>@mrbee: We are going to try them I think!</p> <p>@brownie: LO is almost two. iPad apps like Endless ABC are still pretty hard for her. Maybe I'll see if I can get a free trial. I guess that's still screen time but more interactive and educational which is nice. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-replace-screen-time-with#post-2258430 Fri, 07 Aug 2015 23:20:25 +0000 daniellemybelle 2258430@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@TiredmommaMD: Sorry I missed you somehow - we do leave the house every morning. We do at least one activity for her in the morning like story time or gymnastics or a play date, plus we will often do an errand. I'm hoping to start going to the gym in the mornings too and taking her to the daycare! Then we are home for lunch &amp; nap and I have to work during her nap. In the afternoon we might have a play date but it has been over 100 degrees the past week so we usually stay home and we will do a craft or another activity (right now I am doing different activities about trains because she is obsessed with them). Plus she will play with blocks or her trains or whatever.</p> <p>So.... after all that I feel like she can have some independent chill time at home and I can get some stuff done, right!? But I have yet to find a way to do that without having her watch TV. Our play room is just not totally set up yet (and the camera is not set up so I can leave her in there and go unpack downstairs) and downstairs is a mess.</p> <p>And here's the thing I feel like I keep saying but between all our activities and plenty of playtime at home, too, she needs a chill out activity. I wish she would sit and look at books but that bores her pretty quickly unless I read them with her. Hoping that maybe books on CD is the answer! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-replace-screen-time-with#post-2258423 Fri, 07 Aug 2015 22:57:44 +0000 MrsRcCar 2258423@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We just moved in June. We do a lot of fun flash cards , playing outside, reading books, and jamming out to music. I would be lying if I said it always worked perfect, today N watched Home 3 times in a row and then hotel Transylvania. I am not winning mommy of the year today, too much screen time but he isn't feeling well so I am a sucker for anything that will lessen his misery. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-replace-screen-time-with#post-2258415 Fri, 07 Aug 2015 22:43:23 +0000 brownie 2258415@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@daniellemybelle: we started at 2 years old with toddler time. He really got into it this year when they got the iPad app. The computer mouse was too tricky. My uncle is in the company so we get it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-replace-screen-time-with#post-2258413 Fri, 07 Aug 2015 22:34:50 +0000 mrbee 2258413@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@daniellemybelle: Around 24 months!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-replace-screen-time-with#post-2258399 Fri, 07 Aug 2015 21:58:20 +0000 daniellemybelle 2258399@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrbee: When did they start really liking MagnaTiles? LO is only 21 months. It says it is for 3+.</p> <p>@lady grey: Wish we could afford it! My mom is coming to visit soon though :)</p> <p>@jhd: I am going to look for some of these! Thanks! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-replace-screen-time-with#post-2258398 Fri, 07 Aug 2015 21:52:54 +0000 daniellemybelle 2258398@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ladybee: I would never kill you! &lt;3 That was my plan but it is dragging out and I really think her recent behavior could be part the upheaval and part increased screen time. So, it's really in my best interest to get her acting better!</p> <p>@matador84: I hope to get our playroom set up like that soon! We also have a second monitor camera that I hope to get rigged up so I can see the whole room. </p> <p>@avivoca: Lucky!</p> <p>@brownie: When did he start using ABC Mouse? I've considered trying it for LO but I think she may too little still. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-replace-screen-time-with#post-2258323 Fri, 07 Aug 2015 19:42:03 +0000 ladybee 2258323@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@daniellemybelle: ok here's my idea, don't kil me. What if you use screen time to unpack so you feel better and then go on a screen time diet? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-replace-screen-time-with#post-2258289 Fri, 07 Aug 2015 18:17:07 +0000 matador84 2258289@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Our playroom is set up in centers. Art, kitchen, blocks, train, reading area, other toys. Kids do a good job entertaining themselves. I do crafts and stuff like that on occasion. Screentime is a treat/big deal. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-replace-screen-time-with#post-2258288 Fri, 07 Aug 2015 18:14:01 +0000 avivoca 2258288@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>H is decent at entertaining herself. She reads/plays with books, does blocks, we color (but she doesn't eat them), haul around stuffed animals, and she plays with her kitchen. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-replace-screen-time-with#post-2258219 Fri, 07 Aug 2015 16:29:19 +0000 jhd 2258219@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@travellingbee: yes mine were all records or cassettes ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-replace-screen-time-with#post-2258217 Fri, 07 Aug 2015 16:26:24 +0000 brownie 2258217@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We just moved 3 weeks ago and he watches cartoons all day long right now (I have a 3 month old too and I'm a single parent up her so crazy tough for us right now). When school starts (2 more weeks) the only things he can do on his iPad are his listening homework ( 30 minutes) and abc mouse (educational activity). This usually gives me enough time to get ready in the morning. Then he can earn a cartoon on the drive home (15 min) if he doesn't have accidents at school. And he has to do abc mouse and listening homework before any other cartoons in the evening. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-replace-screen-time-with#post-2258188 Fri, 07 Aug 2015 15:56:42 +0000 travellingbee 2258188@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@jhd: right? I had disney ones too (ok, i'm really old-- they were records :shocked: ) and I loved them too! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-replace-screen-time-with#post-2258179 Fri, 07 Aug 2015 15:49:53 +0000 TiredmommaMD 2258179@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The only way I seem to be successful is if we leave the house. We go to the park, zoo, indoor play spaces, a friends house, even sometimes just Target. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-replace-screen-time-with#post-2258175 Fri, 07 Aug 2015 15:47:52 +0000 jhd 2258175@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@daniellemybelle: re: books on cd our library has a section of books with CDs so you can listen and read along. I had some Disney ones like that as a kid and I liked them. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-replace-screen-time-with#post-2258172 Fri, 07 Aug 2015 15:45:26 +0000 jhd 2258172@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@daniellemybelle: haha my LO ate them the first few times too. Crazy kids! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-replace-screen-time-with#post-2258141 Fri, 07 Aug 2015 15:20:23 +0000 lady grey 2258141@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@daniellemybelle: oh no, sorry to scare you! Maybe hiring a babysitter to play with LO (or get her out of the house!) while you unpack would be worthwhile? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-replace-screen-time-with#post-2258140 Fri, 07 Aug 2015 15:17:40 +0000 mrbee 2258140@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@daniellemybelle: MagnaTiles saved us! Kept the kids busy every morning for a few years!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-replace-screen-time-with#post-2258139 Fri, 07 Aug 2015 15:15:57 +0000 daniellemybelle 2258139@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lady grey: Oh, please don't say that :crying: It has only been two weeks and I feel like I am going to lose it if we don't get it all unpacked soon. I am a naturally disorganized person so I fall apart if I don't have things in their place.</p> <p>@MamaBehr: We have tried playing with/in boxes but she manages to turn it into a dangerous situation!</p> <p>@Adira: Haha! You are more patient than me - or maybe your LO is not as bad of a whiner ;)</p> <p>Music is a good suggestion, as are books on CD. I am wondering how she would like listening to a book while also looking at it? I'm thinking like Chicka Chica Boom Boom and other fun books like that, she would enjoy a dramatic reading. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-replace-screen-time-with#post-2258130 Fri, 07 Aug 2015 15:06:38 +0000 travellingbee 2258130@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>How old is she? We had success with playdoh, just putting on fun music, and coloring. DS likes reggae. LOL. Maybe you need a mothers helper for a few hours here and there. My niece who is 9 sometimes comes over to play with him so I can chill. :)<br /> @Veggiemama: I love this idea. I'll have to check some CDs out. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-replace-screen-time-with#post-2258126 Fri, 07 Aug 2015 15:02:24 +0000 Madison43 2258126@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>When I need to keep LO contained and occupied for a bit, my go to is strapping her in her high chair with some play doh, a few small Tupperware containers and some straws cut in half. She can literally sit there for 30 mins sticking straws in the dough and seperating it into different containers. Not Pinterest worthy at all, but it works. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-replace-screen-time-with#post-2258123 Fri, 07 Aug 2015 15:01:06 +0000 lady grey 2258123@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We moved 8 months ago and I pretty much could not unpack or organize anything while LO was awake. I would work on it in the evenings. My mom and sister came over a few times to help/watch LO so I could unpack. Honestly it just took forever (like 4-5 months) for our house to even look presentable and the master bedroom is still a disaster.<br /> When LO needs chill time I usually sit with him and read books or build qith blocks. We can't really do crafts/play dough because at 26 mo he still eats everything. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-replace-screen-time-with#post-2258115 Fri, 07 Aug 2015 14:55:47 +0000 MamaBehr 2258115@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What if you use the boxes to set up a play area where she can make a mess just in her box fort? Or perhaps give her colored pencils (my 19 month old eats crayons and chalk, and he sucks on markers, so I have found colored pencils to be pretty good) to color the boxes. </p> <p>Could you even make tunnels out of the boxes and then let her crawl through them? It would take time to create it in the beginning, but then only take it out sometimes? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-replace-screen-time-with#post-2258109 Fri, 07 Aug 2015 14:52:34 +0000 Adira 2258109@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@daniellemybelle: Well, you could always try to just let her figure it out. Xander has a ton of toys out, but honestly, he tends to just follow me around and whine while I'm trying to get stuff done. Maybe he'll eventually learn patience??? </p>