I’ve noticed that sometimes my 5 year old son becomes obsessed with watching YouTube clips for hours. What starts out as a few minutes turns into much more, and I can see that affecting his mood - he’s often more restless and it’s harder to get him to focus afterwards. It’s hard trying to find that balance between entertainment and healthy boundaries. Does anyone else feel this way? How do you handle it?
It’s like once they get into it, it’s impossible to pull them away without a meltdown. I’ve noticed that my kid is way more cranky after watching too much TV or YouTube. Getting them to switch to another activity is so hard, and I always feel guilty. It’s like I’m using the screen to keep him occupied but then I’m paying for it later with mood swings and tantrums. Anyone have a magic solution? 
Same here! I’ve noticed my daughter gets a little “off” too when she watches too much. It can get exhausting trying to keep her away from the screen without her getting upset. It’s a constant struggle, like I want her to enjoy some screen time, but I also know it’s not great for her long-term. I think it’s about setting boundaries, but I haven’t figured out how to do that without the tears. Do you limit screen time or try other strategies?
I noticed similar things with my son—he’d go from calm to crazy in no time after screen time! I’ve started limiting it to 30 minutes per day and introducing “quiet time” activities after. Sometimes it’s puzzles, sometimes coloring, and even a little bit of time for me to get stuff done. It’s tough, but they do adjust. Keep pushing through! 
I’m so glad I’m not the only one struggling with this. I’ve tried limiting screen time, but my son always comes up with new ways to sneak more in. It feels like no matter what I try, he’s always asking for more! I can see how it affects his behavior too. He’s more irritable after watching YouTube. What do you all do when they ask for it “just one more time” or “just for 10 more minutes”?
Oh wow, I’m in the same place, trying to find that balance. I get worried about the impact of too much screen time too. My son’s mood definitely shifts after a couple of hours in front of the TV. It’s like his brain just gets overstimulated, and then he’s super irritable and doesn’t want to do anything else. I’m really trying to figure out how to introduce other activities that are just as engaging. I don’t want to feel like I’m the “bad mom” for taking the screen away, though. Anyone have tips on transitioning them into non-screen activities without the meltdown?
I’ve been there, and I’m sure a lot of parents can relate! One thing that really helped for us was creating a “screen time chart” with specific times for watching TV and YouTube. We made it a fun activity by giving them a sticker every time they followed the schedule for the day. It’s a good way to make screen time feel like a reward and not the default activity. Plus, we try to add things like crafts, reading, or short outdoor breaks right after screen time to help them “reset.” It’s a little easier now, but there’s still work to do. Anyone else tried this approach?
For instance, after screen time, we have a “no screens for the next hour” rule. This gives my son time to unwind before dinner or bedtime without getting hyper or overstimulated. Also, introducing new, interesting toys or activities during the “off” time helps distract him. We rotate activities regularly—building blocks one day, art the next. It’s not a perfect solution, but it’s been working a bit better for us lately!
from you all. It seems like the key is setting those boundaries, even when it’s hard. I’m definitely going to try limiting his screen time and making sure there are some fun alternatives after. Hoping we can all find that balance without too many battles! 
, THX
As someone with older kids, I’ll say the battle with screen time doesn’t get much easier, but it does get easier to manage once they understand limits. We started with an hour of screen time per day when they were younger, and now they have 2 hours max. I always tell them the screen is a privilege, not a right, and when they start getting cranky or distant, we pull it back. It was tough at first, but we stuck to our guns. Now, we balance it with family game nights and outings.
I’ve tried setting timers, like a 20-minute screen time limit, and when the timer goes off, we’re done. It has worked wonders. At first, my son didn’t like it, but he’s getting used to it, and we stick to our rule. Once the timer goes off, we transition into a different activity, like a quick walk or a snack. He’s much happier after a little time away from the screen. I also try to encourage him to pick a favorite book or toy for a calm-down activity. It’s all about finding that sweet spot!