Toddler Advice!

Wow! This is the first story I've ever heard any of the toddler bite the tv. Yes, I'd put the tv up higher out of her reach. Hope the tv doesn't have any lead that would make her sick.

C.

I would try to turn off the TV if she won't stop when you ask her. She will get the hint that you don't like the behavior and it will lessen. If it is only a specific DVD, don't watch that DVD for awhile. Good luck.

Ali

I can't say I've ever run into that, but it might be that the texture is just right for her...smooth and warm (if it's on). Is it only when the Baby Einstein video is on? Both my kids love the Einstein "Down on the Farm" video and it has lots of food images. Maybe it makes her hungry (?). I notice that if I watch it with them, I'm like "Corn sounds REALLY good right now." lol
If that's the case, try a different video for a while.
If it doesn't matter if it's on or not, try finding a teether with a similar texture. She could be working on her molars.
Or, find something new to do in another room. Distraction may be the key until this phase passes...and it will!
If it were me, and I'm this way, I would video a little of this behavior to have a chuckle together when she's older :)

I suppose you could try offering something better to bite on. My kids loved "cold chewies," those toys you freeze for teething. They didn't care if they didn't have teeth coming in. Or ice in a mesh feeder.

We couldn't find a solution to our TV problems until it died and we replaced with a wall-mounted one. (Smallest flat screen on the market!) It is such a relief to me not to have to worry about someone barreling into the screen. It was one of those things that I was really hesitant to buy because we really couldn't afford it, but I'm very glad we did it.

C., 18 months is plenty old enough to understand that some things are not allowed. unfortunately if "no" and redirection aren't working, it's time to move to the next step. that may be time out, removing the tv, or a swat on the hand or behind...whatever you feel comfortable with. but i don't see any reason you should let this go on. you're just going to have to get firm - if you establish discipline now, it'll make it easier when she's 3 and thrashing around thinking she's going to get out of brushing her teeth (pesonal experience, there!). trust me! you really have to be firm. another thing i'd incorporate WITH the discipline, is moving the tv higher. could you put it on a dresser or the kitchen table, out of her reach?? it could reinforce that "we do NOT chew on the tv." just a thought!

C.,

Hate to sound 'preachy' but this isn't just a discipline problem it is a pretty severe safety issue. An 18 month old is plenty big enough to pull a TV off the stand onto herself. Do what ever it takes to make her stop or move the TV to an area she can't reach. It doesn't have to be an entertainment center - just something solid that gets it out of her reach.

S.

not to sound scary, but you may want to talk to your doctor about PICA or Sensory Integration Dysfunction. PICA is a disorder where a child chews on many non food items such as remote controls, rocks dirt, furniture, tvs etc...they can become serious and cause health issues. It may be just a phase, but i would deffinetely research it and maybe talk to your doctor.

When I was a little girl I was convinced that there was a person inside of the television holding up pictures. I actually thought they stood in the box under the house and through the floor! I guess that came from the flintstones. Who knows what she is thinking? Maybe she is seeing pictures of food on some of the shows she's watching?

Whatever you do, just don't put it up too high on something that she can climb on or pull the TV over on herself.

Suzi

have you checked out freecycle on the internet?

It is a site for different communities and people give stuff away instead of putting it in landfills.
I've gotten a whole bunch of stuff. 1/2 cans of lyesol,
pea gravel for the play area, a fridge,
You have to donate before you can recieve but it might be a place to find an entertainmnet center.

I don't really have a solution for you-it actually sounds kind of funny to see (although I'm sure you don't think so:)) But, sometimes toddlers bite for affection-they're giving mom a huge hug, get so excited and bite. Maybe she biting the TV because she loves the movie so much??

I don't understand why so many of these young mothers don't understand how to teach your children to obey your rules, 18 months is plenty old enough to understand. When you solve the problem with removing the object, what has the child learn, Nothing, you teach them not to turn it on and off, you need to stay in the room and discipline until they quite turning it on and off, and when you hear it go off again you go immediately to discipline again, it don't take long for them to understand it, that you don't allow that, then what has the child learn, they have learned that when mom say no don't do that she means it. The same with the biting the tv, when she does it, you get down on her level and tell her no you are not going to bit the tv, and if I see you do it again I will discipline you, then when she does it again you do what ever discipline you chose. Time out (not in front of the tv) (if you can make her stay in timeout) or you can give her a swat on the bottom, and if she does it again, the time out gets longer or the swat gets harder, like I said it don't take them long to figure out that mom mean what she says.
Then when she get older and starts school or teenager, they will continue to know that when you say something you mean it and you will carry out the consquence. They will be happier and so will you. I Have raised 3 of my own and helped with 4 grandchildren. and it makes being around your children so much better. Hope this helps you.

Oh my gosh, this struck me as really funny! :o) My sister ate the edge of the coffee table, all around and my son has done the same thing with his crib. Your question, "why they do the things they do?" I'm not sure anyone will ever know the answer to that! :o) If I were you and she wasn;t damaging the television I'd just let her bite it in hopes that it would lose its appeal if she was no longer receiving attention by doing it (you telling her no), you can also look into the guards that they sell (check One Step Ahead, maybe?). If the problem was very serious and it only happens when she is watching the videos I just wouldn;t play them for her for a while.
Good Luck with your television! ;o)