6 year old & too much TV?

Question

My 6 year old son watches way to much TV. I've tried limiting time, but when he's not watching TV he just lays around complaining that he is bored. How can I get him excited about other things (reading, playing outside or with toys, etc) without going crazy hearing "I'm bored" or "I'm hungry" (which I think he says out of boredom) Help...I don't want to raise a lazy child! (I also have a 4 month old, who demands a lot of attention, and it would be great if my 6 year old could entertain himself sometimes)

Answer 1

It is normal for a 6 year old to have a bit of depression after the arrival of a baby, this may be why he prefers laying around, but it is your job to help him through it.

BE THE MOM, and limit his time at the tv by kindly telling him he is such a smart boy and so fun to have around.

While your baby sleeps,

1) get out some construction paper , scissors and glue.... when you son comes over to see what YOU are doing , tell him you are going to make a craft.  He will probably ask if he can do it too.  

2) practice running in place or doing jumping jacks... when your son comes over to see what YOU are doing , tell him you are building YOUR muscles.... he too will want to "get strong" like a super hero.

3) take the baby and stroller and your son to a park or playground.  Don't forget the ball and a special lunch or snack.

By doing these and a few other things together, you will have RE-connected with him and you will have perked up his enthusiasm for activity, and he should be able to build off of that.  

Answer 2

I hear you.  You have to do things with him.  I know its tough with a baby and all, but once you start doing things with him, then he might start doing those things by himself.  Spend lots of time with him, as much as you can stand, when the baby is napping.  Even putting the baby in a swing or bouncy next to you while you two play a game or something is good.  Maybe you can read him a book (or have him practice reading), while you breast or bottle feed the baby.  Go to the library together.  Go to the park together. Does he like to draw? I know when my daughter turned 6 she was way into drawing and coloring with markers.

Answer 3

We have four children from almost 7 down to 13 months.  No television in our house.  I spend an hour or so a day reading various books to them.  My oldest reads to himself for a couple hours a day.  They play outside for a couple hours.  And they spend a lot of time building with blocks, making forts, pretending to be animals, etc.  And, I never once have heard my children say they are bored or that there's nothing to do.  They're used to making their own fun and being active.

TV is easy.  It's relatively mindless, and you just sit there and are entertained.  If that's what he's used to and likes, it's hard to make the adjustment.  I would suggest unplugging the TV for at least a week, preferrably more like a month to establish new habits, and require him to learn to entertain himself.  TV time should be no more than an hour a day, none is better.

Answer 4

ok kids eat when  there bored and thts a really bad habit and i think he needs motivation in some cases if u ase him hay u wanna play cars theirs needs to be motivation at his age tv is fascinating so u want to goto the park or take him to friends and shopping

Answer 5

get him some projects, art projects, sports items, set up play dates, get coloring books and activity books.  He needs suggestions.

Answer 6

When you put the baby down for a nap play a game with him. Memory, Candyland, Shoots and Latters. You can get him hooked onto reading. Take a trip to your local library. He can get books on animals, dinosaurs, sports, anything that he is interested in. I know some little ones love the book series Captin Underpants. (He may be a couple years too young for this book). Get him things that he can play out side with. Side walk chalk, a slip n slide, Bubbles, a base ball and a met. He is old enough now to start sports. This will keep him busy with practices and games and it will keep him active. He can do little league baseball, football, wrestling, soccer...etc.

Answer 7

MAYBE IF ONE WEEKEND YOU HAVE NOTHING TO DO JUST TAKE THEM TO THE PARK OR SOMTHING MY LITTLE SISTER IS THE SAME WAY SO WE JUST GO TO THE PARK THAT SHOULD MAKE BOTH OF THEM HAPPY AND HAVE A PICNIC TO IT  SHOULD BE FUN.

Answer 8

Break this habit a.s.a.p.

TRUST ME!

My 10 y-o is like this and hes like anti-social.

Only tv alllll day long.

But really, trust me, take the tv away for like a week and replace it with fun activities like going to the park, the mall, the zoo, and just spending real quality time with him.

=)

Answer 9

How about telling him to pick up a book and start reading?  How about putting a dust rag in his hands and tell him to dust the furniture.  Obviously you haven't really 'tried' to limit he television watching.  I have three kids and they are allowed ONE hour a day for televsion and that includes weekends.  The television doesn't go on until the one wanting to watch has EARNED their hour of television viewing period.  I don't argue, I don't negotitate, I don't respond to whining or tantrums.  My children have books, they know how to get to the library in our town, they have friends whom they play outdoors with, they have crafts they make, they have hobbies (photography has become a big one in our family), they have dance, Girl Souts/Daisies and Martial Arts classes as well.  

Answer 10

Get him some books that he can read alone then when he is done reading sit down and ask him what the book was about.

have him go out side and ride his bike for like an hour then tell him he can get 1 hour of tv time.

Answer 11

Put your baby in a stroller and take every one to your local park or playground. And if you can't make it that day, make your own playground outside. Jumping ropes, kicking a soccer ball, maybe even having a friend over and playing baseball (you can use a tennis ball and a plastic baseball bat that sells for about 3$)!

And on other days, take him to the library. Show him how fascinating books are! Let him pick out his own books (try to keep it in his reading level though, so he doesn't get frustrated or not read the books), and if he can write his name, let him get his own card.

Good luck, and remember to try to keep him moving.

Answer 12

I had the same problem with the grandkids when they came over. They would turn the TV on and no visit time. I removed the cable from the TV one half hour before they arrived. Told them it was broke. Then we headed to the kitchen and baked cookies. The best time in a long time.