Toddler is Elmo/screen obsessed

[Anonymous]

So DS is 22 mos. We have limited TV to pretty much nothing, but he is a terrible traveler in the car and otherwise, so we often given him a iphone/kindle with Sesame Street clips on it to keep him from screaming. The problem is that although he only sees "Elmo" perhaps once or twice a week, he is obsessed. Anytime he sees our phones he asks for Elmo; yesterday he began rummaging through my bag in search of the phone so he could in turn find Elmo (and crying when no phone was there). It is getting ridiculous. I don't mind a limited amount of TV, and we were planning on allowing an occasional show once DS turned 2, but I don't want to make the situation worse. To stop the whining, etc. should we just cut him off entirely? Or alternatively, see what happens if we allow him as much as he wants? Any advice from others who are pro-limited-screentime?

[Anonymous]

My children are also totally obsessed with Elmo. It is crazy. I bought them a bunch of Elmo things - books, stuffed Elmo, etc. it seems to be working.

[Anonymous]

You need to go cold turkey, OP.
No screen time. Period. Done.

[Anonymous]

Oh god we are having the exact same problem!! Except with both Elmo and Eebee Baby. Our issue is that we started allowing our toddler to watch her videos on the iPad while eating in restaurants to keep her calm. It was so nice to be able to eat a meal in peace that we started doing it at home too. Now she runs screaming to her high chair all day long wanting to watch. It is killing me!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You need to go cold turkey, OP.
No screen time. Period. Done.

Right...because he won't see Elmo everywhere? He's on canned foods at the grocery store. He's in the ballon sections there as well. Other kids wear him. He's also on the potty seat. No offense OP but of all characters the Sesame Street ones are the only proven educational characters right?

[Anonymous]

Ahhhhh same here w our 20 mo dd - tonight she refused to eat dinner if I didn't let her watch the elmo has four ducks video. We were a no screen time family so I don't know hoe this happened . We were at a dr appt we needed her to sit still for and the only thing she'd calm down for was elmo videos and now it has spiraled . She cried today when she saw my iPad and said elmo
Quack Quack. I refused but come dinner time she had me - if I hit play she'd eat. No video no eat ! Ahhhh

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't worry just yet. My DS went through an Elmo phase at that age. We're not a no-screen home, but we had never even watched Sesame Street. A month later he was obsessed with toy trucks. His obsessions seemingly changed with the wind at that age.

[Anonymous]

I hid my iPad for about three weeks. Only took it out after she was asleep for the night. It took a few days but then she forgot about it. Now I take it out occasionally - maybe twice a week. It sucks for me bc it limits me too, but DD is so obsessed with the sesame street videos that out of sight out of mind has been easier. Fortunately she hasn't yet figured out they are also on the phone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ahhhhh same here w our 20 mo dd - tonight she refused to eat dinner if I didn't let her watch the elmo has four ducks video. We were a no screen time family so I don't know hoe this happened . We were at a dr appt we needed her to sit still for and the only thing she'd calm down for was elmo videos and now it has spiraled . She cried today when she saw my iPad and said elmo
Quack Quack. I refused but come dinner time she had me - if I hit play she'd eat. No video no eat ! Ahhhh

A 20 month old can manipulate you? Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Read "Buy Buy Baby" (the book) and go cold turkey.

[Anonymous]

This morning when DS had a fit when I turned off the computer after talking with my parents on Skype instead of watching Sesame Street on it I turned on some Sesame Street music instead from the ipod. I was stunned that it did the trick.

Also, the Elmo obsession will transition to Thomas or some other corporate giant. It will pass, just stick to your limits.

[Anonymous]

And this is why we don't limit screen time. Our 4yo has never had limits.. She will do about 30min a day by her own choosing and then go iff to play. Seriously people, its like telling someone not to touch the red button. The more you withhold the more obsessed they get.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My children are also totally obsessed with Elmo. It is crazy. I bought them a bunch of Elmo things - books, stuffed Elmo, etc. it seems to be working.

I think every toddler - age 1-2 goes through the Elmo obsession phase. Gone by age 3 or so. It's like a tornado that comes through and leaves you with lots of Elmo crap.

[Anonymous]

My 2 yo loves curious george. he watches a few min of pbs kids in he morning sometimes while DH and I are getting ready or when I work from home. No big deal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ahhhhh same here w our 20 mo dd - tonight she refused to eat dinner if I didn't let her watch the elmo has four ducks video. We were a no screen time family so I don't know hoe this happened . We were at a dr appt we needed her to sit still for and the only thing she'd calm down for was elmo videos and now it has spiraled . She cried today when she saw my iPad and said elmo
Quack Quack. I refused but come dinner time she had me - if I hit play she'd eat. No video no eat ! Ahhhh

A 20 month old can manipulate you? Good luck.

Exactly. Something tells me the Potomac stabber Dave Goldberg was in charge at that age to. Like many of you, his parents didn't see a problem with giving him what he demanded.