How many Peppa Pigs is too much?

[Sam Toucan]

Single dad here, trying to navigate the world of a three year old daughter...

All she wants to do these days is watch Peppa Pig. With the recent change in weather trips to the park are becoming less frequent and last week-end she must have watched a couple of hours of Peppa Pig each day. Every time I turned it off there were tears.

Should I be imposing a limit?

[SLad]

Its really all about parental choice but we don't allow our 2.5 year old daughter to watch TV generally. If she does watch then she's limited to 20-30 min bursts on 2-3 days per week. There are often tears when the TV time comes to an end but we usually give her fair warning and remind her that watching TV is a privilege we won't give to her if she ends up crying everytime. Even if that doesn't work, she gets over it pretty quickly if distracted by another activity instead. Occasionally (about 3 times - yesterday, Happy Feet) we watch a film together which is real bliss, though I always have to remind her to blink!

[sanity girl]

Another single parent here and my kids probably watch a couple of hours of tv a day in the winter at weekends - but not all at once - maybe an hour in the morning and an hour in the evening. They are a bit older though - 5 and 8. I would try and limit it to a certain number of episodes at a time. I do find that we always have a better time when we get out of the house even if it's cold out. Trips this weekend included a walk in Dulwich/Sydenham woods, swimming, going out for lunch with uncle and cousins. Other good things to do - Horniman museum, soft play (if you can face it!), playdates with friends, Southbank and tate gallery.

[monniemae]

I have a 2 yr old and am pregnant, and for the first few nauseous months I've been letting the toddler watch far too much. We used to have a "half hour before bedtime" rule but it definitely creeps up - mornings watching stuff on my phone as I struggle to get out of bed, maybe lunchtime as she now refuses naps and that's a nice quiet time, etc. Just work out when/why you're happy with them watching... so here I resist all pleas to watch it in the morning, and try to distract with drawing or cooking or puzzles in the late afternoon until after dinner. It's hard but I definitely noticed her behaviour (and demands for more peppa) getting worse after I let the boundaries slide... Don't beat yourself up though. Nothing is forever! You can't be perfect and engaged parent all the time.

[yeknomyeknom]

Do the best you can to find alternate activities. But dont beat yourself up about too much screen time. The fact you are asking the question shows you have their interests in mind.

[canela]

try and find Peppa Pig themed activities and toys if she is a big fan. My niece had a Peppa tent that she would play in for hours. There are loads of PP colouring books etc out there.

Also agree that even if it is cold life is always easier if kids have been outside for a run around.