Would you use TV to encourage toddler to sit w/ Granny?

[ASusan]

Hear me out --

MIL, who is blind, is coming to stay with us for 4-6 weeks. DS has met her, and she stayed with us for a couple of months when he was 4-5 mos old, but he hasn't seen her since a quick visit several months ago. DS is now 23 mos, and VERY active. He takes to new (or infrequently seen) relatives well, except the old ones! He totally rejected my grandmother last week - wouldn't even give her a kiss (and he'll kiss a waitress, if they're young and if they ask ).

Trust me, I am pretty tv-averse for young ones, but...the television will be on NON-stop when MIL is here. She listens to programming the whole day - especially when we're at work, of course, and she is alone.

At the moment, DS ends up seeing about 10-20 minutes of TV a day. This morning, he sat still for 20 minutes while I took a shower. (A first -he's usually fussing at the door if DH isn't actively involved with him.)

Do you think I could use TV to help DS sit with Granny for a few minutes each day, perhaps gradually fading it out or changing it to music? We could DVR an episode of Wonder Pets or...

[Caneel]

I would have no problem doing what you propose. It could be especially nice for MIL if they were watching/listening to something that they could talk about both during the show and afterwards. Also, it could give them a chance to cuddle. Cuddling is big in my family.

My mom and DS will lay on the couch and watch Sesame Street and later on, she uses what they watched as a way to engage DS in deeper conversation like "tell me what letter of the day you would pick and why?" or creative play.

[~pi]

Yes, I would. I wouldn't worry about it at all -- it's just for a few weeks.

[buttercups.nest]

I agree with everyone....at home we generally don't watch TV (unless its either a BAD day and I really need a break, or I'm so exhausted I can't keep my eyes open - I'm preggo, but even then its not for very long) so when we do go somewhere (we just went to a wedding far away from home...stayed in a hotel) and there's a TV I don't mind my daughter watching, especially if it makes things easier (there's only so much to do on a golf course in the middle of nowhere)

Your reason for letting your son watch the TV isn't bad either. It would be a good way for them to be able to bond, and your little one will sit still long enough for grandma to enjoy him Another thing you could do is show him a picture of her before he will see her....we did that for relatives coming from England for the wedding and my daughter didn't play shy with them at all. She only saw their pictures for about a week, but they're on the fridge so we could talk about them multiple times a day.

You also mentioned phasing the TV out....you're thinking ahead

I honestly wouldn't feel bad about it! Enjoy your visit!

[ollyoxenfree]

Originally Posted by ASusan

Do you think I could use TV to help DS sit with Granny for a few minutes each day, perhaps gradually fading it out or changing it to music?

The t.v. plan sounds like a good idea. In addition to changing it to music, do you have some audiobooks?? There are some that have the CD and a picture book - he can look at the picture book while they both listen to the story.

While she is visiting, perhaps she can record a few stories on tape for him (either well-known stories or ones she makes up or maybe stories from her childhood or about your dp), and they can listen to them together too. Then when she leaves, he will have something to remember her by.

[ASusan]

Just to report - DS sat with Granny for 2 1/2 episodes of WonderPets, about 25 minutes, this morning. Bonus - I got the kitchen cleaned and the lunches packed during this time!

I think he actually remembers her from when she was with us when he was a baby. I have told him that she used to hold him, that he used to sleep in her arms...He warmed up to her quite quickly. He now kisses her good morning, good night, and will say (his version of), "Good morning, Granny."

My next goal is for him to hold her hand while she walks to...her room/her chair. He (unintentionally) opened the rest door for her after dinner the other night. They were both headed to the powder room to wash their hands after dinner. Of course, he thought he was just going in there to wash up himself, but we made him step aside after he opened the door, and wait for granny. He also held her hand as she walked from the top of the stairs to her bedroom door this morning. Of course, I held his other hand, but we have a couple of weeks to work on these things.

I don't think he's ready for audio books yet. He can barely keep from turning the pages/tossing the book while I'm reading to him. (Lately he wants to end the story about 3 pages before it's actually done.)

I would LOVE to get her to record stories, but she is very introverted/shy/quiet. I can barely hear/understand her when she talks. I seriously doubt that she could produce anything that could be picked up by a microphone and later understood.

[Bookworm715]

I do this w/ DS. We only see my great-grandma a few times a year and he's way too hyper for her to really interact w/ him (she's 90). He'll sit on her lap and watch Spongebob and snuggle with her. Last time we saw her he grabbed her hand and said "Let's snuggle and watch Spongebob!"

I would gladly trade the few brain cells Spongebob kills for the special tradition they have now. She loves being able to be close to him and it hasn't made him a TV junkie the rest of the time.

[MsBirdie]

Originally Posted by Bookworm715

I do this w/ DS. We only see my great-grandma a few times a year and he's way too hyper for her to really interact w/ him (she's 90). He'll sit on her lap and watch Spongebob and snuggle with her. Last time we saw her he grabbed her hand and said "Let's snuggle and watch Spongebob!"

I would gladly trade the few brain cells Spongebob kills for the special tradition they have now. She loves being able to be close to him and it hasn't made him a TV junkie the rest of the time.

LOL My 92 yr od Grandma is a Spongebob fan too with both DDs cuddling and watching with her as well.

[Bookworm715]

Originally Posted by MsBirdie

LOL My 92 yr od Grandma is a Spongebob fan too with both DDs cuddling and watching with her as well.

My grandma has to use very soft toothbrushes and the only ones she can find in stores are kid's. She has a Spongebob one and so does DS!

[ASusan]

Just reporting in to my own thread.

He did two days of watching Wonder Pets with Granny. DH did the am routine today, so I'm not sure if they sat together today.

DS is "leading" Granny to the stairs, up the stairs, and to her bedroom. He can also take her into the playroom to her chair. We have a few bumps - he goes into the room first - she bumps into the door frame; he squeezes himself between the coffee table and the couch - she trips over the coffee table; he lets go of her hand just before she touches her chair because he's distracted by toys. We're always right there so she doesn't actually get hurt, but he's getting the idea.

[Caneel]

Originally Posted by Bookworm715

I do this w/ DS. We only see my great-grandma a few times a year and he's way too hyper for her to really interact w/ him (she's 90). He'll sit on her lap and watch Spongebob and snuggle with her. Last time we saw her he grabbed her hand and said "Let's snuggle and watch Spongebob!"

I would gladly trade the few brain cells Spongebob kills for the special tradition they have now. She loves being able to be close to him and it hasn't made him a TV junkie the rest of the time.

Oh, this makes me smile! Especially the second statement. So true.

[dachshundqueen]

I was thinking play dough would be another good sitting together thing that you could supervise while cleaning up the kitchen?

Liz