7 Year Old Becoming Obsessive

Hello S. ,

I have two boys a six year old and a 20 month old.I Personally don't like TV or Phone in Children Bedroom .I have told my boy that his bedroom is to sleep only since he was a todler . They have a separate play room. I Belive is bad for them because the conection with the family is distrcted by going to the bedroom and watch TV . I don't think is that she is becoming obsessive , I think is something beyond that . She probably want more attention and since you mention her biological mother is not in the Picture that has probably dramatize her . I would seek professional Help maybe a child Phsycologist can help , I hope everything work out and keep me posted !!

~ A.

I agree with S. B. However, I would maybe try a white noise instead, like a fan. When my daughter was a baby thats the only thing that would keep her asleep because she is such a light sleeper. Shes 4 now and refuses to have that in her room(because she can't hear us in the family room) lol........... but most likely at this point she is used to the sounds and thats why she is not able to fall asleep without something.

Hi S.,

You're right. This could be a stage in her development or something else. But no matter what, you'll want to speak with a qualified therapist who knows child development well. If you want to give me a call or email, I'd ask you a few questions which may determine what's what. I specialize in treating obsessive compulsive disorder, so if that's not it, I could help you rule that out. No matter what, you and your daughter need some help coping - it's producing anxiety for everyone.

Warmly,
S. B., Ph.D.
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how much tv is she watching a day?
if children watch too much tv they can become obssessed, deranged, imbalanced, inattentive and generally unhealthy. tv should not be watched every day. and on days that tv is watched acouple of hours is usually plenty. age appropriate movies are better for children than most tv because they encourage children to maintain their attention over a sustained period of time wheras tv fosters, inattention, short attention spans and distaction. and what is the content of the shows she is wathing at 7? nature shows (discovery channel), disneychannel?

Wow, I can see that this must be very upsetting to your daughter and to you and your husband as well.
Any chance of eliminating the TV in the bedroom entirely? Not as a punishment though...
You both could present it to her that she needs to be getting a better night's sleep, especially since school is starting up soon. (and it is true that kids who fall alseep with the TV on do not sleep as well as kids with no TV in the room) If she watches her own shows in the evening, let her watch them in your bedroom, and then when it's time for bed maybe you could read a story together or play a game with her right before bedtime. She, of course, will be upset about losing the TV, so empathize with her but stick to your guns.
If she really can't fall alseep on her own, how about a clock radio, played softly, with a timer. Although you are trading one vice for another, the music may be a little less intrusive than a TV.
Good luck!

Hi S.. Your daughter might be over stimulated. I would try reading before bed or something more soothing. Maybe if you take the tv out of her room and replace it with a cd player she won't mind the tv being gone so much. You could play some soft music for her before bed. I hope this helps. Good luck.