In our home, there is no "alone TV time." I approve all shows watched and for how long - otherwise she'd watch TV all day, every day. I'm not like the TV nazi or anything though. Don't get me wrong. I just don't think it's a smart idea for a kid to have access to a TV without parental guidance.
I do, however, believe in "alone time." Even mom needs some of that. (Now whether or not I get it is another story!) But alone time is for building Legos, reading, or things like that. On very rare occasions I'll let the girls watch a DVD together (that I approve ahead of time) while I'm working. And everyone spends family time together (unless Daddy is sleeping/working. He works nights, so sometimes we just have "just us wimmen" time.
Sometimes she needs to decompress, and that's fine. But she needs to be checked on periodically and is not allowed to do just whatever she wants to decompress. That's just asking for trouble. I give her some choices and make sure it's a safe, healthy choice. It also teaches her that she's still got to follow the rules, even when she's decompressing.
Well I can sorta relate, though my DD is only going on four years old.
DD loves television, though she prefers the milder ones (Max and Ruby, Dora, and Diego are faves here) so not quite the same issue. I think it helped her learn to speak and HOW to speak to people. She usually doesn't ask to watch it alone but gets annoyed at little brother and the tv ends up with the volume sky-high because she can't filter things out. I do let her watch alone when I am showering, making lunch, doing laundry, etc, but usually only 1-2 shows at a time, and I try to limit it to once per day. I haven't let her at the remote yet, lol, so I still have to turn them on for her.
I would say that if your DS seems to require it then why not let him have some scheduled time if that would work. You could say ok, you can watch from 4-5 pm alone or something, so he can look forward to it. If he has a bad day maybe add in some extra and see if it helps??? If they seem scary, then maybe take a few minutes to talk about them with him afterwards if he has any questions or anything.
I don't get much daily feedback from DD so before bed time is our "story time" and she tells me "stories" about things that happened throughout her day (or a week ago... whatever is ready to come out). Maybe talking a few minutes after would help him to filter through what he saw and you could get a reading as to what type of impression it is making on him overall.
Wow, sorry this is so long. I hope it makes sense and is helpful to you. I am so new at this! Good luck.
my daughter almost 3 is obsessed with scooby , she doesnt seem scared by it although i see what u mean its actually kinda scarey.. she craves high energy shows , and i think thats just part of it...
i think your son having alone time is good, but maybe there should be a limit on it, after all u dont want him spending the whole day by himself... i wish i had more suggestions for u but i know its hard to come up with good ways to get everyone to interact! my daughter dominates the tv in our living rm and like your son she isnt necessiarly sitting and starting at it the whole time but i think it is calming to her as well.
sorry i realize im no help at this point, but u arent alone!!
Hi Kristen and Welcome!!!
I saw you on your other thread and welcomed you there also....
Okay here is my opinion on the being alone thing.
I have an 11 yr old son who has always preferred to be alone.
In our home, there is no "alone TV time." I approve all shows watched and for how long - otherwise she'd watch TV all day, every day. I'm not like the TV nazi or anything though. Don't get me wrong. I just don't think it's a smart idea for a kid to have access to a TV without parental guidance.
I do, however, believe in "alone time." Even mom needs some of that. (Now whether or not I get it is another story!) But alone time is for building Legos, reading, or things like that. On very rare occasions I'll let the girls watch a DVD together (that I approve ahead of time) while I'm working. And everyone spends family time together (unless Daddy is sleeping/working. He works nights, so sometimes we just have "just us wimmen" time.
Sometimes she needs to decompress, and that's fine. But she needs to be checked on periodically and is not allowed to do just whatever she wants to decompress. That's just asking for trouble. I give her some choices and make sure it's a safe, healthy choice. It also teaches her that she's still got to follow the rules, even when she's decompressing.
Well I can sorta relate, though my DD is only going on four years old.
DD loves television, though she prefers the milder ones (Max and Ruby, Dora, and Diego are faves here) so not quite the same issue. I think it helped her learn to speak and HOW to speak to people. She usually doesn't ask to watch it alone but gets annoyed at little brother and the tv ends up with the volume sky-high because she can't filter things out. I do let her watch alone when I am showering, making lunch, doing laundry, etc, but usually only 1-2 shows at a time, and I try to limit it to once per day. I haven't let her at the remote yet, lol, so I still have to turn them on for her.
I would say that if your DS seems to require it then why not let him have some scheduled time if that would work. You could say ok, you can watch from 4-5 pm alone or something, so he can look forward to it. If he has a bad day maybe add in some extra and see if it helps??? If they seem scary, then maybe take a few minutes to talk about them with him afterwards if he has any questions or anything.
I don't get much daily feedback from DD so before bed time is our "story time" and she tells me "stories" about things that happened throughout her day (or a week ago... whatever is ready to come out). Maybe talking a few minutes after would help him to filter through what he saw and you could get a reading as to what type of impression it is making on him overall.
Wow, sorry this is so long. I hope it makes sense and is helpful to you. I am so new at this! Good luck.
Lisa
my daughter almost 3 is obsessed with scooby , she doesnt seem scared by it although i see what u mean its actually kinda scarey.. she craves high energy shows , and i think thats just part of it...
i think your son having alone time is good, but maybe there should be a limit on it, after all u dont want him spending the whole day by himself... i wish i had more suggestions for u but i know its hard to come up with good ways to get everyone to interact! my daughter dominates the tv in our living rm and like your son she isnt necessiarly sitting and starting at it the whole time but i think it is calming to her as well.
sorry i realize im no help at this point, but u arent alone!!
Amy H.
Kristen, my son would tell me that too LOL.