Toddler’s Guide to Success – how to get your mum to turn on the TV

If you’ve been following the blog you might have read this guest post by Baby Blogger L. who wrote 8 Reasons I Love My Sister. Today we’ve got Toddler M. who would like to contribute:

So you’re desperate to watch Peppa Pig but your mum just doesn’t want to cooperate. I’m sure you know exactly what that’s like. She is saying “play with your toys!” but you just want to watch that episode with the red shoes again…

So how do you get your mummy to turn on the tv? Politely asking didn’t work? Begging didn’t work? I have a very effective strategy and I guarantee you that it works!! It works best if you know that your mummy wants to leave the house with you in about 30 minutes but you can apply it pretty much at any time during the day.

So here it goes:

1. Follow her around EVERYWHERE.

The closer you are to her feet the better. Try holding on to her leg sometimes and use her to play going through a tunnel. Don’t let her get away – make sure you stay really close or run around her in circles. Using a scooter works even better! Trust me this is a necessary first step towards success…

2. Be really helpful 

Now this might seem strange since she obviously doesn’t want you to watch TV and she will probably not reward you even though you are being helpful. But trust me, it will work eventually! Whatever she does, help her with it.

If she empties the dishwasher do it for her and make sure to reach for the knives and glasses… if she is hanging up the laundry to dry, take out all the items and spread them neatly all over the floor… if she sweeps the floor do a little dance just where she is sweeping. These are just a few suggestions – the list is endless! Be creative!

3. Ask lots of questions

The best question is “why?” of course. Make sure to ask it at least 15 times within 5 minutes. Maybe even more. Don’t give up. She might try to silence you by saying “because!” – That’s not a real answer! Ask again!

4. Be loud

Ok so if the above hasn’t worked yet you’re going to have to crank it up a notch. Crying, throwing yourself on the floor, banging stuff with stuff (preferably breakable stuff), running around singing (screaming) LET IT GO, LET IT GO!!!! Anything goes. Just be really loud! If you are using the running around technique make sure to bump into her occasionally.

5. Get your sibling on board

By now your mum should be ready to pretty much give you anything you want. You might have gotten some kind of treat by now. If it’s anything good do take it but don’t give up yet! The last step is get your sibling on board. If your sibling is still a baby this works particularly well. Encourage him or her to open cupboards or climb on things while you drop the box with all the pens, spill your drink on the couch or try to reach for sharp things lying around on the kitchen counter (the options are endless but you get the picture!).

Follow the steps above exactly as described and you can be sure it won’t be long before she let’s you watch Peppa Pig, Frozen or anything else you want!

If you have any other ideas or things to add be sure to let me know! I’m always looking for new and creative ways to challenge my mum and keep her on her toes!