I created a 15 mo Youtube addict!

[annmartina]

All she wants to do is watch Signing Time on Youtube for the past several days. I was pretty sick earlier this week and it was easier to plop her on my lap and watch snips of Signing Time than do anything else. Well, I'm feeling better, but she learned how to say Youtube and today it was the first thing she did when she got up -- walked over to the computer and said "Oo-toob!"

I really regret relying on it so much and now I'm not sure how to decline her requests. She has been shrieking and throwing herself on the ground if we don't sit down and hold her and watch something. (Tantrums are new territory for us.) She was sick along with me and still seems a little under the weather, so maybe her insistence on watching stuff is due to not feeling well???

Dd is 15 mo. We don't have a TV, and we normally read tons of stories. I'm not sure how to proceed. I really need to reread Playful Parenting.

Anyone else normally turn to media when you get sick? Do you find you have to "wean" you lo's off said media once you're feeling better? Any ideas for me?

TIA!!!

[jocelyndale]

I'm afraid I don't have an answer for you. The most visited link on my browser is the youtube vid of the Puerto Rican breastfeeding PSA.

[thefragile7393]

My husband has pretty much ruined ds in this area, thanks to him being the TV to unwind person. We don't have cable and thankfully now one of dh's fave channels is gone, so it's gone down. It's DVDs that dh has ruined ds with. Ds DOES like watching YouTube videos of cats doing funny things, that I can handle a lot better.

[Roar]

Have other distracting alternatives available. Be consistent.

[leafwood]

We've encountered this pattern after major changes in routine. I just try to be gentle but firm and explain that it's difficult, help dd label her emotions (when I can) and provide a lot of comfort. Then again, she's older (4y) so with a little one it may be just redirection and a step-down program!

[cotopaxi]

Yep. We use tv when dd is sick because I have to give her a nebulizer, and it keeps her still. Then we always go through a few days of her asking for it often (usually we don't watch it at all). I just offer something else very appealing, and comfort / empathize, as pp said, if she does get upset. But I'm firm about it because it's important enough to me that I don't have a toddler who watches tv on a daily basis if I can help it.

[Xoe]

I've been through this, because I find it tough to give me DD's all the attention they want when I'm sick. Number 1) Avoid getting sick, LOL! Number 2) I'd suggest getting out of the house A LOT! Go to the library, playground, a friend's house, play dates and have her do errands with you all day. Doing all those activities, where she can't be in front of the computer, will help break the "addiction." Also, do things inside your house that are not in the same room as the computer. Have her help with the cooking and cleaning. I'm sure at this age she'll find it fun to imitate mama, no matter what mama is doing.

good luck!

xoe

[orangecanoe]

In my experience, 15-18 months involves a lot of shrieking and opinionated behavior. I bet she sounds adorable demanding her oo-toob!

Agreed that at this age distracting and change of scenery helps. Were there any particular clips/songs that she really seemed to enjoy? Sometimes I can distract with a Barney song in lieu of watching barney, etc.

[cotopaxi]

Originally Posted by orangecanoe

Sometimes I can distract with a Barney song in lieu of watching barney, etc.

Oh, that's funny, because mine's the opposite. If I start singing one of the songs, that makes her want the tv more!

[Michelle Renee]

Mamma -its ok

We started my month old on daily signing time and by a year old she was signing! When I come home from work - Im whipped and my daughter would watch an hour of tv while I got myself together. After that - tv off and we play.

She is now 28 months old and she just discovered youtube and she is a nut for it - I have to give her a ton of notice "you can watch the purple lady dance (feist 1-2-3-4) and the ABC song and then its all done.

Working with the transitions has helped a ton.

Now - I have a 3 1/2 old and we just started signing time with her too.

Its a balance you know. You say "Okay - you can watch "whatever #1" and "whatever #2" and then you take a broke. I dont think tv is totally awful.

When I walk in the door from work and I need to pump and get it together - I need that cushion. And -she has learned a ton too. SHe is 2 and knows what an octagon is from watching jack black on sesame street via youtube. Its all a balance.

[LittleMonkey]

I hear ya! We keep our toddler TV free as well. We do occasionally watch a song or two from the Sesame Street website (i.e. once a week). When DH or I allow more than a couple of songs/videos at a time then our DS starts to want to watch it all the time! I simply say, "No. The songs are all done. We can listen to music or read or draw etc..." I also close the laptop and that means my computer time is done too. There is generally some whining but he is fairly easily distracted. The key for us is to make sure we really limit the time to once a week and only for a few minutes. His reaction really reaffirms our decision to not allow tv.

I just re-read your post and you were asking for help with weaning the little one off of youtube. I really think that 'cold turkey' on the youtube thing is the way to go. The little one will protest, of course, but with each passing time that you simply say 'No. We're not watching that.' she'll be less upset. At least that's been my experience. I don't use tv or youtube to help when I'm sick so I'm not much help there. I've read about, and met, too many toddlers that have screen-time issues that even when sick I'm not willing to go there...

[x.xiv.mmvii]

I too have allowed DS to watch a few videos on youtube, so now everytime he sees mama with the laptop, he starts scooting himself toward the screen and talking in his adorable baby talk (how can I resist that?)

We'll watch Pugs & Donuts and Party in My Tummy and then close the laptop. He gets pretty upset.

[ktmama]

That video/TV stuff is powerful, huh?

However, I don't think the problem is youtube necessarily. It's most likely his age and development. If it wasn't the vids, it would likely be something else. So, now you get to figure out how to handle these lovely displays of passion and temper! Just remain consistent, firm and loving and you have won most of the battle.