Why don't you turn off the tv and go and do something less boring instead. How do your kids react?
550683
i could never understand the point of the 'why dont you' gang saying this because if we followed their instructions, then we wouldnt have been watching them and they all would have got the sack.
454206
you could bring rented movies over to the house, find a book that you are really in to, play a cool game with the kids (depending on their age), pretty much anything that you would normally do at home as long as you don't tune the children out.
1152058
get them to create something. Drawings, building blocks, games that excite or test their ability to remember, painting, crafts. You can try making them discuss issues. You will be surprised what comes out. If you are facing hyperactive children know that their attention span is very short so a variety of quick games may help. TV is your last resort. They would likely not enjoy the same program anyway. Good luck.
1144482
Honestly I believe it is to free Americans of the responsibility of actually monitoring what our children watch. God forbid that we actually have to spend time with our children and keep an  eye on what they are watching. Even worse, what if we actually have to speak to our children and spend 'family time' away from the electronic babysitter (or TV in case someone missed that reference).  It's a little sad that other countries such as Japan, have less crime and yet still have more explicit programming. Interesting!! Maybe it is because they actually RAISE their children and not let the TV do it for them!
351383
Well, number one, don't watch T.V.! That is a bad thing to do when you babysit them. It makes them think it is okay to be a couch potato and then you become lazy, as well. Make your money worth it. Do something fun and creative with them. \nIf they have board games at their house try some easy ones. Like chutes and laders or something of the sort. \nOr make up a story. You start with something like "once upon a time there was a boy named.." then they have to finish the story and you take turns. \nMake up games that teach them life-long leasons! \nHope I gave you some idea starters. \nWishing you well (because I totaly understand what you are going through!) \n-PolarGirl8\nP.S. I am babysitting some boys tomorrow, and they are 3 and 5 as well! Ha,ha.\nP.P. S. If it is nice outside try playing a game similar to "duck duck goose" except it is called "drip drip drop". You use was bucket of water and drop water on their head and then drop the whole bucket of water on them. It is very fun!
259334
They turn their TV off, weird now that you mention it!
130198
turn off the tv you dont want to watch any thing give all your attenction to them.
948460
Yes.  Children who spend their time watching television are not spending that time doing homework, reading for pleasure, playing outside and learning through experiencing their environment.  Television deadens the senses and decreases children's ability to become stimulated.  \n\nOf course, some television programs are worse than others.
203435
THEY ALREADY DO AND I THINK IT'S A GOOD IDEA HAVE YOU NOT EVER N0TICED THE PARENT ADVARISORY ON THE CD'S YOU BUY IN THE STORES. IT'S JUST SOME MUSIC CERTIN AGE CHILDREN SHOULD NOT LISTEN TO THEY ALREADY GET TOO MANY IDEAS FROM TV.
1023268
I grew up without tv and am raising my child without it also.  She is not quite two and a half and is briliant!  The first time a tv was on in her presance she had no idea what to do with it.  She did not get the concept of sitting down and gazing into the box.  I myself get sad and disgusted any time I watch tv.  The shows are terrible, all of this reality tv crap scares me, but more than that it is the comercials!  My heart starts to flutter and I get so worked up seeing the structure of it all.  The systems that have been created to get into our brains to direct us this way or that, we have lost our free will.  What people are exposed to is what they adhear to.  What we watch on tv is what we become.  If we don't watch tv our world becomes alot bigger, and alot more creative.  I have a friend who is a preschool teacher and does not watch tv.  She has told me that the kids who watch tv play games that are repeating dialogs from tv shows, and the kids who don't watch tv have a world of there own, and that is a beautiful thing!
1098476
That's a tough one. I don't know how you handle discipline in your house but something that has worked for me (I am the primary care taker for my boyfriend's two children who are both from different unions) is using a good marble/bad marble system. I know it sounds kinda corny at first, but, you make a customized fair list of the behaviors that are not acceptable (whining and petty tattling is on our list) and they get a bad marble (btw we have pickle jars labeled good and bad) anytime they exhibit these behaviors and if they get too many (say 5 or more depending on how minor or major they are) they get restricted from a privilege. However, it wouldn't be any fun if they didn't get rewarded when they are behaving so you can make a list or decided on a moment to moment basis if they are being good (sharing, doing things when told, remembering to put a plate in the sink etc.. whatever works for your household) and if they get so many good marbles I let them make a list of a few fun things we can do around the house for 30 minutes, and another short list of things we could do that would cost a little more that we would have to drive to or something like a small toy and I reward them weekly with something fun for being good and helping me out.  You may need to do it as a daily system. I used to use it daily but now that the boy is older and better behaved we only have to use it weekly now. Sometimes children just need a little guidance and to know what the rules are, and to know what is unacceptable and when they can see that their behavior is not good consistently and they are rewarded for being good they will want to change.. especially if you make a big deal out of them being good.  Good Luck... hope this helps or gives you some ideas anyway.
428983
I've learned not to yell at my 3 year old. It doesn't do any good, instead talk in a stern voice. Also, the naughty step works wonders for me too!
61644
You can do simple things like potato sack races, pin the tail on the donkey, bingo, stuff like that.  Since the kids are so young, they don't need a lot to be entertained and you want to do something that doesn't require a lot of rules/directions.  Besides, you also want stuff they can't cheat easily with!
1018998
all part of growing up.  Ya need to keep em occupied.  They only fight out of Bordem.  Next time they start up make em do chores then each time they start say Oh you must be bored let me find you something to do
1061993
I agree:  While almost any show can be found to have some redeeming value somewhere (as another answerer pointed out about SpongeBob,) I think it is dangerous to just hope that the kids are picking the correct message out of most programs.\n\nBesides, there are SO MANY other things to do!  I look at it more from the point of view that there are too many other things a child (especially a young one) should be doing instead:  playing with toys, reading, playing with friends, just running or biking outside, playing with parents, etc. etc.\n\nWhile I agree that it would be possible for a child to have a very healthy & happy life with no TV whatsoever, I also don't think it necessarily needs to be removed completely, as another writer suggested.  Small doses of TV, large doses of playtime!
492104
I find that depriving the toddler of something they love to do works.  Also, if he or she throws tantrums ignore them whilst you engage yourself in something really interesting that will grab thier attention.  Divert his attention to something else.  When he/she has calmed down give them a quiet talk about good and bad ways of doing things, and explain why you are upset with him/her.  Kids are clever and can be manipulative just like adults.  Good luck loving your toddler!
934298
The Tv has an off button, I use it!  :D