Screen time - advice..

We take a 'tv in moderation' approach in our house. In a typical week, my 2.5 year old watches a bit some mornings before nursery, then sometimes a bit between dinner and bed. At the weekend we usually go out all day doing fun activities then come back tired and put a movie on as a family.

She's at nursery all day without screens during the week.

I started getting really worried this weekend as I took her on a lovely walk in the woods and she was complaining and asking to go home to watch tv. More and more she's asking to watch tv when at home or out the house, and i've noticed that when she's extremely upset about something else, she starts to ask for tv because she seems to associate it with numbing her feelings.

I've heard some people cut tv out of their kids lives completely if it starts to negatively affect the family dynamic. Any advice?

We're a worn out family working full time, we thought some tv as a normal part of life was harmless but i'm worried she's getting too dependent on it...

Read more on Peanut

The views expressed in community are solely the opinions of participants, and do not reflect those of Peanut.

Learn more about our guidelines.

Add a comment

We don't have much screen time but we have done a couple of TV 'detoxes' before, after illnesses etc where we've relied on it being stuck in the house. After a few days she stops asking and after a few weeks we bring it back. What works for us at the moment is having it only at a set time of day, she doesn't ask for it any more. I have no issues with screen time at all but I don't want my daughter only wanting to watch TV so we find our balance, and sometimes we have to reset our balance! I've also found she needs more engagement on things like walks nowadays, I encourage her to pick things up, point things out to her, we listen for different noises, sometimes we collect things to make art with in the afternoon, etc etc.

Highly recommend a yoto mini! I was seriously ill for over a year which ended up meaning a lot of tv was watched and my daughter asks for it a lot now, we make sure the remote is always hidden so it doesn’t spark the idea, and the yoto satisfies the need for entertainment :)
If the tv is on I put things like this on!

https://youtu.be/T9dp6PAsNJs?si=eG6yfzHl4JuDB1N2

I recommend them to everyone! So good for birthdays too, I just ask friends & family to get her a yoto card of their choice and it’s so lovely because people show a little of their personality in the card they choose, and they’re cheap enough as a gift 🥰

Following as basically same, noticing more or asking for TV shows first thing when waking up or when upset etc

My son used to ask for the tv, but we have similar useage to you describe and now he’s not fussed … never asks for it in the day etc . Think it’s a personal choice if you want to buy out entirely.

in our community

Is it bad of me to think this or no?

My husband has been abroad for work (1 day and exploring for 1 day) for 2 and a half days which means I’ve had both kids (1 year and 4 year old) for 2 and a half days plus cooking, cleaning, taking them to clubs, bedtimes!
He came home late afternoon and said I’m so tired, I just need to chill. I said can you wash up whilst I sort kids dinner out, he said he’ll do it later which means he won’t do it and I’ll end up doing it so I said no do it now please otherwise I’ll end up doing it and he said well you have been home and I’ve been away so you’ve just been relaxing.
Don’t know what planet he is on but having the kids alone for 2.5 days is not relaxing. I was stressed!

When he was away, I did miss him and wanted him to come back but now he’s back, I want him to go away again😂
Is that bad?

Really bothered by this

A friend posted this and it really bothers me because that is exactly how she parents her kid, and it's rather unfortunate because when our kids hang out together, her kid has a meltdown at least 5x within an hour. We have know them for years and it's only gotten worse. My kids will concede to hers, because they don't want to see their friend crying, but it sucks because they give up so much of their toys and enjoyment to keep the peace. We aren't hanging out as much anymore but it's rather sad to think she doesn't intervene more in her child tantrums and just let's it slide

Is this normal

Let’s say you’re at a softplay with your 2 year old, and some friends & their toddlers.
You buy your 2 year old a kids meal - chicken nuggets, beans, and chips. They’re very happy with it and have almost eaten it all.
They’re sat at the table, fork in hand, consistently eating, and have one chicken nugget left.
Your adult friend comes over from behind you, picks up the last chicken nugget, and eats it.
There was no indication that your child wasn’t going to eat it, and they didn’t ask. They just took it with no warning and ate it right in front of you and your toddler.
How you reacting?

Are these men ok?

I get so sad seeing all the posts on here daily about women dealing with partners who are treating them horribly. I know it seems over represented because those of us with great partners don’t need to write posts asking for help, but I really hope most of us don’t have these kinds of men in our lives!

I tell my husband about these posts I see sometimes and he’s even shocked by some of the things these guys say/do.

Nobody’s perfect, and every relationship takes work. And becoming parents is a stress test unlike any other for sure, but seeing how many women get stuck in these relationships with men who aren’t interested in being better is so so sad😞

But is/was your partner helpful, loving, and supportive during your pregnancy/PP/etc? Was he a wonderful person but changed for the worst after becoming a parent? Has he put effort into becoming the partner you need him to be, even if he struggles?

Pouches

I’m not one of those mums who stand in the kitchen making every meal from scratch and batches of healthy snacks as I simply do not have time with other children and soon back to a full time job, but I do try give my weaning baby part of what we eat at meal times and will throw something healthy together if what we eat isn’t suitable. However, I do have some pouches in for convenience or a last resort. I’ve only used these a few times in the space of two months but she absolutely LOVES them. She will scream for more, get excited when she sees the pouch and will literally eat the whole thing. She’s underweight so this is massive for me seeing her eat so well, but the guilt is getting to me a bit! Anybody else like a little pouch every now and then and can make me feel a little better about giving her them😅

8 month old cry alllll the time?

I keep thinking I’m doing something wrong..

My baby has always been a crier, car seat, pram seat, nappy changes, outfit changes, nap times etc.. first 6 months we put it down to reflux, I had a lot of advice from HV/ GP as I was really struggling.

He’s improved with his reflux but I think now we are in a constant state of teething.. (he has 6 teeth now) or am I just making an excuse for his constant crying?

I can’t go on pram walks, I can’t go on drives, I have to constantly hold him/ entertain him for him to stop crying. I feel like there can’t be something up with him because the moment I hold him or entertain him he’s so happy and giggles/ babbles!

I’m just wondering if anyone is going through something similar?