Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Help! I've Created a TV Addict
... I'm talking about my son Nathan. When he was small, I used the TV as a distraction to get him to eat by mouth. His colon ruptured at birth and he required tube feeding for several years. I'm also guilty of allowing him to watch too much as a way to escape from some of the stress taking care of him ... only now, I'm thinking I have created a bigger problem. We have no TV reception. But he does have a TV/VCR in his bedroom. We also have a TV/VCR in the great room. Before you all tell me to just take the TV out of his room, that's not going to happen (yet). I just need encouragement, prayer, and determination to get his mind in the here and now and not stuck in a re-run movie or cartoon. Once he's weened from the TV I've got to have plenty of other activities to occupy his time. Additional chores, games, books .. outside play (we have no snow this winter :) This is not going to be easy even if he cuts out 1/2 of the TV he watches. He's got sensitivity issues and aversions to being in rooms with more than two or three family members so he retreats to his room. This is a complexity of issues. He does attend school and has developmental therapy six hours a week (at home). It will be a long drawn out process ... I'm not looking forward to any of it. Any suggestions WOULD BE APPRECIATED!
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4 comments:
I don't have any suggestions, but I will be praying for wisdom and guidance!
Praying here for God's wisdom for you. It sounds good that he's interested in the different things on video. I wonder if he enjoys playing games as much as I do? There are so many fun games for children. Wow...no snow huh? We have blizzard conditions tonight...and even more snow on the way. I feel sorry for the hardships its causing people but do enjoy the beauty and quiet calmness of it.
Not much help from me either.
Nathan is pretty normal when it comes to TV/video viewing.
I just remember our psychologist at work instructing us; never take anything away from a kid, if you don't have anything better to offer instead.
(We were discussing compulsive acts, like swinging a doll's head to and from e.t.c.)
Nathan, also having some autistic-like features, needs alone time, and peace and quiet. I don't think we can imagine just how much his working (school) day requires from him.
Changes must happen as smoothly as possible and one should all the time take into consideration, what Nathan's needs are sooner that what we want him to do/be.
Oh, Mrs. Mac, I know you are doing the right things, you are not leaving him with a TV baby-sitter. A slight change of direction maybe all you need to do just now.
Easy does it.
From felisol
Well .. I was able to redirect Nathan today after school. He did a load of laundry and took his bath before settling in for a movie ... then ... a little therapy (fun type). A good afternoon. Thanks for your prayers and ideas.
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