Conference moira::parenting_v3

    Steve, 
    
    I suspect you're right that the restrictions might be making him
    put a higher value on TV-watching than it really deserves.  I'm
    not sure whether you've got a problem, though.
    
    How long does the sulk last?  I think it's pretty normal for a kid
    that age to stomp and sulk and say "I hate you" or refuse to
    answer when they're interrupted at an activity they're enjoying,
    whether TV or playing with friends.  Both Kat and Steven have done
    it, anyway.  But it usually passes in a few minutes, five at most. 
    
    Also, does he get to choose what he watches, or is it whatever
    happens to be on at a particular time?  Steven will throw a real
    snit fit if he doesn't get to watch Ninja Turtles, for instance.  
    Kat used to have a time limit, but she could use that time to
    watch whatever shows she wanted that were on during the time
    available, and for a movie or other special I'd make an exception
    and allow a little extra.
    
    Do you watch a lot of TV?  If it's on, but he just doesn't get to
    watch, he might feel unfairly treated.  
    
    If he's coming out of the tantrums fairly promptly, and not really
    pining for TV when he doesn't get it, I wouldn't think there was
    much to worry about. 
    
    --bonnie

    I'll agree that it sounds pretty normal, and also that it may because
    of the restrictions.  At age 7, I think that there are enough other
    programs on TV other than cartoons that he could also be watching some
    of these -- nature, science, and some other child's type drama such
    as might come from Disney.  We get many programs produced in Canada
    that we class as suitable like "The Littlest Hobo".  Then there's a
    rerun of "Lassie" shows running just now.
    
    Maybe you might want to consider extending his viewing to include some
    of these ... some things he might class a little more adult, while
    restricting the amount of cartoon viewing?  (Personally, I have as
    much difficulty with some of the cartoons as I do some of the "real
    life" programs, in that they don't deserve air time!)
    
    Stuart

Steve,

I'm one of those people who can't be in a room with a TV on without watching
it.  Like  your son, it get 100% of my attention and a train could come thru
the house and I wouldn't know it.  I'm not addicted to TV.  About the only
TV I make a point to watch is the local news.

The biggest problem I have is that my wife is one of those who keeps the TV
on for background noise.  As a result, we don't spend a whole lot of time in
the same room together when the TV is on.

Bob

To answer some of the questions - he comes out of the sulk almost
immediately, usually within a minute.  It's not a tantrum by any stretch of
the imagination.  After he lets me know he's displeased, he stomps on down
to his playroom and then starts singing to himself as he plays with his
toys.

We almost never have the TV on while Tom's awake.  Indeed, we watch very
little TV at all.  What we do is read books and sometimes listen to music.

Tom is allowed to select his own shows, he isn't trying for any particular
show.  He did sit down and watch Reading Rainbow when I had turned on the
TV and decided to leave it on that channel, and he enjoyed it immensely.
He knew the book they were reading (he loves books).  But I'm not really
concerned about his choice of shows (I do steer him away from shows I
don't approve of, but his usual choices are inoffensive.)

I'm beginning to think it is the restrictions that make him consider what
time he has with the TV more valuable.  

					Steve

    Christopher (5 1/2) can't be in the same room as the T.V. without being
    glued to it.  My husband was reading him one of his favorite books, and
    the T.V. was on the basketball game, sound off, and Christopher
    couldn't pay attention to the book.  He got up, shut off the T.V. and
    said "I can't help it, when it's on, it MAKES me watch it".
    
    Toss a restriction on viewing time as well, and I'd say your son's
    behavior is perfectly normal.  

 
 I don't know any 7 year olds (or 5 or 9 year olds, for that matter) who enjoy
 being told by a parent when they must stop doing something they are enjoying.
 And they usually make sure you know this, with a good pout.  I bet he would
 pout even more if you made him stop reading a book he was absorbed in.  I 
 doubt it has anything special to do with TV, or the amount he is allowed to
 watch.
 
 		- Bruce

    re: .4
    
    Sounds perfectly normal then . . . as Bruce says, kids hate to be
    interrupted by their parents.
    
    --bonnie

hi steve,
I think your son is quite normal given the fact that when he realizes he can't
watch he is still ok and finds other things.

I "try" not to have the TV on during weekdays for at least 2 years now and my 
daughter (age 13) DOES want more of it because she cant have it.  I know its
true because she was trying to talk me into watching "Jeopardy" with the logic
that "its educational!" when she rarely gets the answers anyway..she just wanted
to sit there and veg out!  I think kids too need a stress releaser from their
day - they want to relax and sit and do nothing, and they know it. And thats ok.

PS. after a while of saying no to TV, they do give up asking.