Limiting screen time

Don't beat yourself up at all. Screens are literally everywhere. The nicer days will make it much easier to go out and play or go nice walks to the park and stuff :) faze the screen out every so often just a bit when you can if you want to but I bet when the sun's shining and we can all go out more, the wee one will naturally want to be out doing things anyway 🙂

I feel like I could have written this post like I don’t wanna give him screen time, but he ends up having screen time at like I don’t know how to stop it because I feel like too busy to be super active with him especially when the weather is super crappy

The only fact you are looking for advice showcases that you are a good mum :) Have you tried maybe drawing tablet, so it looks a bit like a screen but without the stimulation? Our little one also really books with music, you press the button and it plays different music. We do a lot of instrumental music, thinking it must be good. There are also the Tony boxes? Have not tried myself and you may be able to get cheaper but heard a lot of good things. They may help you get some time to rest? Ultimately, screens are addictive, so it can be hard to limit them... You may have to show him other ways to interact with his environment. When at the restaurant, we bring some play dough, sometimes stickers book or just book to help with the long sitting. But even then, we have to let her walk around eventually and it is not always easy to have adults conversation at the same time 😅

Thank you so much everyone! It’s so easy to just give in, don’t get me wrong he has so many toys out constantly I always sit with him etc but I just feel like all he’s interested in and focused on is the TV. I’m pregnant now too and finding it hard to run after him etc! We’ve just came back from holidays and it’s sad that most nights he would sit on the iPad watching films because it’s hard to chase him around as he would just constantly run for the door😩I feel so sad about it lately. I’m going to try limit tomorrow turn the TV off and only Let him have little bits here and there because I really wish he would interact and learn more! Thanks for all your advice I’ll definitely take it on board xx

Oh yeah! We have a Yoto player and it helps a lot but it’s still hard when you’re tired.

I don’t do screen time for my toddler, and I am now 20 weeks pregnant. I just let her run about the house and play with toys, whilst I sit on the sofa and watch, or she brings her books to me to read (doors always locked as she can open them too) and stair gate so she can’t go upstairs. Or stair gate on the room if you want to keep them really contained. Going out for food she is really good if she has food in front of her she will sit and eat. But I take out some things to keep her entertained otherwise a Montessori book is really good and I have a puzzle book. I keep them in the car so I don’t forget them. She also likes to get involved especially with washing up so I have some steps and she stands next to me whilst I wash up. Or she loves trying to sweep up too.

Car journeys she usually has a snack, and then maybe a book or toy if it was a long one. Otherwise I just talk to her or put some kids songs on that she knows. If my husband is driving I sit in the back and play with her. She loves getting all the cards out my purse and putting them back again. We also have a tonies box she plays with, or I put on songs from the Alexa, either Disney or some songs from a sensory class we go to. I usually either give her the tonies or the songs if I leave her in her room (stair gate so she can’t get out, and monitor on her) whilst I am having a shower. You might have a few tantrums to start with, but tantrums never last forever, I am quite strict on no means no and if she has a tantrum then she has one, she’ll get over it eventually, but he will get used to it. It’s good for kids to have some boredom and have to entertain themselves than constantly have something to distract them.

Also, she loves being outside now it’s warmer, so I sit in the garden and let her run about.