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limiting TV & computer time

abbysmom1005abbysmom1005
in Austin Babies

Abby is all about watching TV and playing games on the computer now.  DH set up a computer for her in the loft, the only thing she does on it is PBSkids.com but still.  While it would be sooooo easy to just let her watch TV and play on the computer all day (especially since we are not outside much with the cold weather) I really do not want her spending that much time on these activities.  I do not have a problem with TV or computer games, I just want her to also do other things.

Anyway on to the real point of this post.  Anyone have any good ideas on the least possible combative ways to limit her TV and computer games time.  She knows she is only allowed so much and I am always giving her warnings of when she is getting close to that time. "Ok Abby only one more show. Or "Ok Abby only 5 more minutes on the computer" but it still always comes down to her whining and sometimes throwing a fit over it.  

I would love to do some sort of chart or clock or something where she can somewhat track her own time.  Anyone seen anything like this or have any great ideas of something I can make myself.  

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Re: limiting TV & computer time

  • desmaandjondesmaandjon

    A friend of mine has her kiddos "earn" token (she uses poker chips) for doing things, good behavior, etc. And they cash those chips in for "x" number of minutes on the TV and/or computer. I don't know if that would work for her but I thought it was a good idea. She also wants to limit their sweets so they cash them in for desserts sometimes too.

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  • AbrooksAbrooks

    I think the clock or timer idea is good so that she can watch it and see.  My approach w/ DD on the whining is basically if she starts to fuss and whine about it, she gets no TV/computer tomorrow.  This usually works.  (I also give several warnings  - 5 more minutes, 1 episode of Dora, whatever.) 

     Do you have any activities you want her to do instead?  You could always do something like - she needs to do 2 art activities before she can watch a TV show or something like that.  So - that way you can try and balance TV/computer w/ other activities you'd like her engaged in.

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  • NessiaNessia
    Maybe a timer with a bell. DD loves her timer (we don't use it for this purpose). She actually begged for it at the store. Anyways, maybe A can set it herself to 15 or 30 minutes and she knows when it rings it's time to move on to the next activity.
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  • shanwalk2shanwalk2 member
    sticker chart? Each sticker represeting 1 minute?  I wouldn't do them for "good behavior", because for me that is something that is expected.  Maybe ask her each day if she wants to 'earn' minutes - and give her little jobs to complete.  Then, I'd do a timer at the computer or tv so she knows how quickly those minutes go - and when time is up. 
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  • nanannnanann
    no advice -- the tv is on way too often in our household.  reading the actual advice you got now!
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  • rssnlvrrssnlvr
    Like the timer advice, but wanted to add that maybe you could start working on the fit she pitches when time is up. So like, if she whines/cries/etc. about her TV/comp time being up, then she gets 5 minutes less next time.
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  • abbysmom1005abbysmom1005

    Ohh the timer is an excellent idea! thanks!  I also really like the poker chip idea but maybe just for behavior.  We do a sticker chart for behavior  which earns her thing, but the appeal of stickers has started to wear off on her. Sad

     

    Yeah we do adress the fits and they do not happen very often anymore.  Usually if she starts a fit she gets one warning then if she continues she looses anymore TV or computer for the day and possibly the next day.  She still usually whines and always begs for more, that is more what I am trying to elminiate at this point.  

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  • naclh2otaffynaclh2otaffy member

    We've been having problems at bedtime, and I started using the timer on my iphone.  I'll set it for some random time, five or seven minutes, or whatever, and then tell him when it gets to zero that he has to go to bed.  He is still so fascinated by the timer that he sits and watches the numbers decrease (and calls out numbers as he sees them) and he doesn't even use that time to play.  Smile  And I set the timer for a fun noise, so he likes it when it gets to zero and makes the noise.

    We've had way less fusses at bedtime since I started the timer countdown method.

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