Hellobee Boards

I press pause it my LO won't answer me or won't eat. He gets it eventually. It's tougher with movies but I'd get in the habit of just watching 10 or 20 minutes at a time with a. Timer so he knows you don't always watch the whole thing.

I would do shorter shows instead of movies to limit the zoning out time. I always give my toddler a two minute warning before we turn a show off too. Sometimes it helps, sometimes he freaks out anyway. He only gets one episode about twice a week, but asks daily. I just say "no videos" and try to distract him with something else. (also I always take advantage of tv time and cut his nails )

One of my greatest tricks has been not just warning my son that something will happen in X more minutes, but saying "we're going to turn off the show in 3 minutes. I'll say 'time to turn it off' and you'll say ____" At first, I'd fill in the "okay" in a super happy voice, but quickly he began to fill it in. Giving him the prompt so he knows exactly how to respond was so helpful. I actually started it with getting dropped off at preschool right at age 2, but I still (at 3 this month) use it all the time. It works so much better than the warning alone.

@Jess1483: that's an interesting tactic! I can see many situations where this could be useful!

I cut almost all screen time cold turkey. My LO couldn't hack it. Her behaviour was worse every time she watched anything or played on the iPad. It was awful the first week or so. But I didn't budge on it and maintained that tv was for weekends and sick days. Many weekends we're too busy for tv. Several months later she watches some tv and it's less of a problem. I also do not turn on the tv until after she goes to bed.

@AggieDaze: agreed. At best, I feel that screen time is a distraction and sometimes helpful for adults getting stuff done. The side effects of it aren't worth any benefits. For us.

Like someone else mentioned - being firm - not ending with "okay?" or seeking permission from him when it's time to turn off the TV. Explaining - I am shutting off the TV now because it's time to do X. When he freaks out say - I see you are upset by this - it's hard to stop doing something you really want to do. But it's time to do X instead.

I also set expectations before I turn on the TV. I'm going to turn on a show for you, but when the show is over, we are going to do X.

My LO isn't too bad about asking for TV but the best way I've found to avoid it (and to keep myself from using it as a babysitter) is to get ready in the morning like we have someplace to be. Treat storytime at the library or what have you like an appointment and move through your morning with purpose. Keep your LO busy with breakfast, watering flowers, feeding the dog, making the bed, getting dressed, helping gather things to leave (my LO loves to help), etc. and get out the house before he can focus on it too much! We try to avoid TV in the mornings and then in the afternoon we are pretty lax about it.

@catlady: It's funny - I've found that our branded toys "remind" LO of TV. She's on the young side (newly 2) so maybe she will know to ask for TV more when she is older but after playing with Doc McStuffins or Thomas toys is one of the only times she insistently asks for TV!

We had to cut screen time because my kid was acting like a crazy person over it. It was tough for a bit but he's much better with independent play now! Good luck with whatever you choose to do.