I’m Michelle. I’m a full-time working mom of a 5-year-old boy. I’ve been feeling really stressed lately about how much time he spends on his cell phone. His caregiver often gives it to him during the day to keep him entertained, which I get can be helpful, but now I feel like he’s becoming too dependent on it.
I’ve started to notice that when I ask him to put it down, he gets upset or is in a bad mood. I’m pretty sure it’s also affecting his sleep because he stays up late watching videos. I’m trying to figure out how to help him manage his time better, even though I’m not always there to supervise.
I’m thinking about setting some clear schedules and talking to his caregiver so we’re on the same page about limits. I also want to introduce other activities, like reading together at night or playing a board game, so it doesn’t feel like I’m just taking something away. I want him to understand that the phone isn’t bad, but we need balance. This feels like such a big challenge, but I want to do what’s best for him. Any advice or shared experiences would be so helpful right now. Thanks!
I feel this so much, Michelle. I’m also a working mom, and my 6-year-old is glued to his tablet. When I started setting limits, it was tough, lots of tears and tantrums. What helped me was creating a visual schedule with fun alternatives like puzzles or Legos. Maybe you could try something similar with your son? It gets better, I promise
My kids are teenagers now, but when they were younger, we had similar challenges. What worked for us was making “family time” a daily ritual. Even 20 minutes of playing a board game or reading a story helped us connect and reduced their dependence on screens. It’s not easy, but the habits you start now will pay off in the long run
My 4 year old acts like the world is ending when I take the tablet away. One thing I’ve learned is to replace screen time with something they love. For us, it’s baking. I’ll ask, “Do you want to make cookies?” and it’s a game-changer. Maybe you could try something hands-on like arts and crafts? Hang in there
Hey Michelle, it sounds like you’re really trying your best, and that’s what matters most. Kids are so adaptable, and with consistency, you’ll see progress. I’ve found that routines really help, like a “no-screens-after-dinner” rule. It might take some time, but I’m sure you’ll find what works for your family
Hi Michelle, I’ve been there. My daughter went through a similar phase. We introduced “screen tickets” where she could earn limited screen time by completing tasks like tidying up toys or helping set the table. It turned into a game, and she loved “cashing in” her tickets. You could also use timers to create clear boundaries, so it’s not just you saying “time’s up.” It helped reduce the power struggle in our home
the struggle is real. My son is obsessed with his tablet too, and I’m constantly feeling guilty about it. I don’t even have any solutions to offer, but I just wanted to say you’re not alone. It’s hard balancing everything as a working parent. You’re doing great, even if it doesn’t always feel like it
It’s so helpful to hear what has worked for others. I’ve downloaded one of those parental control apps, and we’re going to try a “no screens before bedtime” rule starting next week. Fingers crossed! Thanks again, everyone
Have you thought about using parental controls on his phone? Apps like Qustodio or Google Family Link let you set screen time limits and block apps at bedtime. We’ve used these with our twins, and it’s been a lifesaver. Also, having a “charging station” outside the bedroom helps enforce the no-screens at night rule
Thank you all for these amazing suggestions! I really love the idea of a visual schedule and earning screen time. I’ll talk to his caregiver about starting this. It’s so reassuring to know I’m not the only one dealing with this
my kid does the same thing with bedtime videos. We finally had to make a rule: no screens an hour before bed. It’s been tough to enforce, but now it’s just part of the routine. Do you think that might work for your son?