Tv watching...help

[zombie_bride]

My DD is 2.5 and I am going through my second pregnancy right now. I am 8 weeks and dealing with terrible nausea so the television has been on more than I like but there is not much I can do during the day, everytime I get off the couch I am running for the bathroom so it's not a great situation. Over the weekend I just started diclectin and its helping me, I am able to live almost normally at least until the mid afternoon when I need another. After taking another though I am on the couch as it makes you feel very drowsy and woozy.

The problem is all my toddler wants to do now is watch tv, I am pretty tired so I am not able to entertain her like I normally do (I can't take her out yet) and if I don't let her watch she just screams and cries. We are normally very active, park or play gym at least once a week, library, shopping, swimming, walking, painting etc. But since being sick (about 2 weeks now) we haven't done much at all and she is getting too used to this sedentary lifestyle. Most frustrating is that I know if she watches tv almost all morning then she will fight the nap until it's too late and then be up till 10-11 pm. Honestly, I am just feeling overwhelmed and at a loss of what to do. I wish she'd learn to play on her own and bit more, she does, but more than often she would rather watch tv. We have no family here and no friends to help us out and daycare is not an option so I guess we all just have to suffer a bit. I just feel like a bad mum right now!!! :(

[JanineRivera]

I just wanted to let you know that you are not alone in this boat.  My dd was sick for a week and during that time we watched waaay too many movies!  I felt horrible too but also you realize that this time will pass and you will back to your normal routine and your dd will stop asking for TV all the time.  Be kind to yourself mama ... you are growing a baby right now!!  BTW, I am about 5 weeks pregnant and just starting to feel nauseous(sp?) so we may be in your boat in a few weeks.  Best of luck to you:)

[marispel]

My DS goes through these "phases" and I just try to redirect as much as possible.  When he pitches a fit, I try to ignore it and pull out a couple toys with redirection.

You may also want to purchase some new toys - maybe something new you can pull out every couple of days and then put away for a couple days.   It doesn't have to be expensive and even 2nd hand would be fine.   My DS likes to play on his own and a new toy will occupy him for quite awhile. 

Like PP said - it is a phase and you will be back to your normal self soon.   

[flower01]

I went through the exact same thing....pregnant, miserable, 2 year old wanted to watch constantly and tamtrums when I turned it off. So....we put the tv away.  It was hard to do, but my DH did it. He got fed up and locked it in a closet...and it was great.  Out of sight, out of mind for DD.  It was harder on me a little bit because I could'nt rely on the TV for rest, but overall it was so much better. Pretty much eliminated the tantrums.  We actually got rid of the TV when we moved and now only watch shows on our computers.  We do plan on getting one eventually, but I really like not having one. 

[mommybaker]

It is always frustrating when you are sick.  I am pregnant with #2 and it seems like I never have enough energy.  My DH is great at helping, but what to do when they are at work?  Don't be too hard on yourself.  My mantra is 'this too shall pass'.  It reminds me that not everything is about being a supermom, sometimes, it is just about surviving.

[LCBMAX]

A vote of support to do what you need to do to just get through. Sometimes TV is (horrors!) not the worst option when mama is sick because at least you can hang out on the sofa together and snuggle (I secretly read on my ipod instead of watching the program.) But at least kiddo is getting contact with mama, so the experience is not so isolating.

And, I'm here to tell you, you're not creating a monster. Once you're well enough to ditch the tv, and you stay firm on it for a couple days, you'll have that active interested-in-real-life kid back again.

Be kind to the mama!

[Courtney-Ostaff]

If you're going to watch TV, and yes, that happens, I highly recommend:

Peep and the Big Wide World

The WonderPets

Caillou

Kipper

Kids TV content can be surprisingly violent, and/or verbally aggressive.

[Italiamom]

Originally Posted by LCBMAX 

And, I'm here to tell you, you're not creating a monster. Once you're well enough to ditch the tv, and you stay firm on it for a couple days, you'll have that active interested-in-real-life kid back again.

Be kind to the mama!

I second this!  I'm 9 weeks pregnant, and my exhaustion and nausea have been AWFUL this pregnancy.  So DS is watching more TV than normal.  And you know what?  On the days that I am feeling okay, I make an extra point to get out and DO something.  But on the days when I feel like crud, I have no problem with letting him watch TV.  It's not going to be forever, but it will probably continue for the rest of the trimester until I'm feeling more consistently better, and it will probably happen quite a bit in those first weeks of having little brother or sister.  And that's okay with me!  Don't guilt yourself to death.  Do what you can, with what you have.  Get out on days you can, and on days you can't, don't sweat it!!