Ask Amy : I Accidentally Created a Toddler Screens Monster!

Published: Jan. 31, 2022, 10 a.m.

b'I have created a 2-year-old screens monster! This week he and I have been sick with fever, vomiting, and diarrhea. (I also have a 6 month old who has miraculously stayed healthy.) My typically screen-free toddler has been given unlimited screen time because it was the only way we could survive! Now that he is getting better, he just wants to watch screens all day. I try to take them away and he screams, hits and goes crazy. How do I wean him off of this new and terrible habit?\\nToddlers\' memories are short enough that a reset is easily possible here. You don\'t mention which screens are problematic, but phones can be hidden in coat closets, TVs can have suddenly and mysteriously inoperable remote controls, computers can be "out of power" with no charger to be found. \\nYou report that tantrums occur when the screens are taken away, so the key is to avoid turning them on in the first place, or at least to have them as readily available as they were before. \\nAnother approach you can consider, from the world of animal training, is to create and reward an "incompatible behavior," or something novel your child will want to do that means by definition he can\'t be doing the other, less desirable behavior (in this case, hours of screens).\\nIn this episode, Amy gives a few examples of incompatible behaviors to consider in this case. The overall takeaway? A hard reset is the answer, and that is fully available here. Hide the screens to the extent that you can, use your best branding to set up something super awesome that he will want to do more, keep that up for a couple of nights, and the new routine really will be set. \\nUntil the next stomach bug, when you\'ll probably have to do it all again.\\nAmy mentions this video of a dog named Greta being trained using an incompatible behavior: \\nhttps://youtu.be/P0TB4v_rUj8\\nSpecial thanks to our sponsors for this month:\\xa0\\nAthletic Greens supports your sleep quality, energy, immune system and more with just one scoop per day. Get a free one-year supply of Vitamin D and 5 free travel packs with your first purchase at athleticgreens.com/laughing.\\nBeam makes products for sleep, calm, focus, and recovery. Get $20 off any purchase over $75 at beamorganics.com/FRESH, or just type in the code "FRESH" at checkout. \\nBetabrand has reinvented comfort and style with their Dress Yoga Pants, and we love ours! Get 30% off your first order when you go to Betabrand.com/LAUGHING.\\nBetterhelp Start taking charge of your mental health\\u2013 no matter where you live! Go to\\xa0betterhelp.com/fresh\\xa0to get 10% off your first month of counseling.\\nFlowkey lets you learn piano at your own pace. Go to flowkey.com/whatfreshhell to receive 7 days of Flowkey Premium for free and 20% off the first year of an annual subscription.\\xa0\\nIndeed is the only job site where you\'re guaranteed to find applicants that meet your requirements-- or you don\'t pay!\\xa0Upgrade your job post with a $75 sponsored job credit through 3/31/22 at indeed.com/laughing.\\nKiwiCo\\xa0projects make science, technology, engineering, art, and math super fun. Get 50% off your first month at\\xa0kiwico.com\\xa0with the code\\xa0MOTHERHOOD.\\nMembrasin\\xa0is the totally natural, estrogen-free, clinically-proven feminine moisture formula. Go to\\xa0membrasinlife.com\\xa0to find out more and use the code FRESH10 to get 10% off.\\nOnce Upon a Farm fruit and vegetable blends are made with whole, organic, farm-fresh ingredients . Go to onceuponafarmorganics.com and use the code FRESH25 for 25% off your first order.\\nProse\\xa0now makes supplements personally tailored to address your specific cause of hair shedding. Get 15% off your custom hair supplements at\\xa0prose.com/laughing.\\xa0\\nSchool Toolbox makes shopping for school supplies for your kids easier\\u2013 and also creates fundraising opportunities for your school! Find out more at schooltoolbox.com/whatfreshhell.\\nLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices'