TV

Working from home, with an active toddler is hard. It's a constant game of distraction and patience...and a major effort to concentrate and get my hours in. Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't change it for the world. I love working from home and being with Max on a daily basis, but it's very challenging.

I hate to admit it, but I talked myself into thinking that it would be OK to let Max watch a TV show in the morning. I justified it but telling myself that I'd only let him watch educational, or age appropriate shows, and only one a day. Never mind the recommendations from the AAP to not let your children watch TV until after the age of 2. Mommy knows best, right?

Well, it started out OK. Our routine would usually go something like breakfast, playing, and then a show, while I worked. Then Max would go down for his nap and I would continue working through his naptime. It worked well for a while. Max would sit right next to me on the couch, so we could be close and he'd watch Sesame Street, Calliou, or Thomas. He loved it.

Soon, though, I started to notice a difference in his behavior. He went from being super sweet and agreeable to being irritable, fussy, and downright ornery. He started to beg to watch shows all day long. He wasn't even happy watching one show...he kept asking me to change it to another show. I never gave in, but all though the day it was a constant, "Eah, eah, eah" and pointing to where he thought the iPad was. I hid it in different spots, trying to get him to forget about it and just play, but it was like he was addicted to it, and nothing else could make him happy.

So this past weekend, I decided to cut it out, cold turkey. Every time he asked for it, I'd say, "TV?". When he would acknowledge that TV was what he wanted, I would say, "No TV" in a pleasant voice and distract him with something else. A lot of times, I'd just turn on the stereo and the music would get his mind off of it. He loves dancing! As the days passed, I began to see that sweet boy returning. He was cheerful, loving...the way he had been before. He started finding other things to make him happy. He slowly stopped asking for it, until now he only asks about once a day. He plays happily, even when I am working. It takes a little more effort and some stopping and starting, but he's in such a great mood that it's actually easier than just letting him watch a show.

I'm not sure if we'll take TV away completely, but I know that he will not be watching it on a daily basis anymore...even if it's just a 20 minute show. We have our cheerful boy back and couldn't be happier!