Needing Bedtime Help with 8 Year Old

Updated on June 04, 2009
B.C. asks from Arlington, TX
6 answers

I feel so stupid. About 6 months ago, I started telling my 8 year old that the tv in her room is to be turned off by 8pm, so that she's ready for bed by 8:30. She has a clock in her room, right above her tv, but always acts like it's some big surprise when I tell her to turn it off. She obeys, but always tries to argue, saying, "No... (whiney), can't I just finish this show?" It's every night and it's driving me nuts. Like I said, she obeys, it's just the whiney thing that bothers me and I feel like she's way to old to be acting like this at bedtime. And, with the summer here, and her not really having a set bedtime, how do I set appropriate limits for the tv? We do other things all day and she's very active. She only watches tv at night. Help?

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So What Happened?

While I can appreciate your views about the tv in the bedroom, I must argue. I do in-home daycare, so her room is her escape from the mayhem that is the rest of the house. She is a great reader, and is gone playing with friends most of the day. I like the idea of "grounding" her from it if the behavior stays. Thanks ladies!

More Answers

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M.D.

answers from Dallas on

My daughter is about to be 8 and she is the queen of whiney- and it drives me CRAZY!!!!! I agree to tell her that if she is going to be whiney about the tv, then the tv goes for a while. Thats what I had to do with me DD. Last week she gave me the biggest whiney meltdown at the pool and I told her no pool for a week. She quickly learned this week how to adjust her attitude. I believe in making the punishment be directly related to the cause. Good Luck I know what you are ging thru.

G.W.

answers from Dallas on

Since I have a daughter that is ten, I can honestly tell you that IF she had a TV in her room and she gave me that kind of hassle when it was time to cut it off at night, then the TV would be taken away until she could be more obedient with what you've asked. No offense, but the answer seems pretty simple to me.

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S.

answers from Dallas on

I personally don't believe tvs should go in the bedroom, because I like for the bedroom to be for bedtime only. If there is another room you can put it in it might make it easier to set limits on its use. If not, I would give her a warning that she has fifteen minutes and then the tv goes off and if she whines and complains, then explain to her that having a tv in her room is a privilege and if she continues to argue with you everytime, she will loose that privelege and you will take the tv away for a certain amount of time. And then foolow through on the threat. Take it away for a week or so and when she gets it back, remind her of the rules again. Also, since it's summer, maybe let her stay up a little longer(like 8:30 or 9?), but I would still turn the tv off at least a half hour before bed so she can read and let her mind settle down for sleep. Good Luck!

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A.

answers from Dallas on

Honestly, kids should never have tvs in their bedrooms anyway. But for sure, if she is creating some sort of resistance to the privelage of having it..she loses the privelage!! It should not take long. But I would encourage you to take it out and allow her to read for those last minutes before bed..tv is a brain stimulant and it has been proven that it makes it harder for kids to fall asleep. Good luck..I am sure you will be met with some resistance no matter what you do..just hold your ground:) ~A.~

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K.P.

answers from Dallas on

I have to agree with the last post. Your daughter is old enough to understand and obey a preset rule like this. If she is choosing to be whiny when it is time for the tv to be turned off I would remove it from her room till she can make better decisions.

T.F.

answers from Dallas on

I have a 14 yr old who has had a tv in her room most of her life. She used to be the whining queen but since she got older she is much better with that.

First....I would remove (or disable) the tv if she whines. To this day, our daughter will change her attitude really fast when she loses something precious to her such as tv or her laptop. I just mention taking her phone or laptop and I have a great child again!! Not many times have we had to follow through with complete take away.

Second....does the tv have a timer on it? My daughter does go to bed with the tv on but she sets the timer for 1/2 hr or so and it goes off on its own.

You could set the timer to turn it off at the end of a program she is watching so that it does not go off in the middle of something.

Good luck!

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