I know some of it is normal for his age, but I feel like it has intensified since I took a firm stance on his cell phone use. He used to use it a lot to watch videos or play games, but I noticed that afterward he was more irritable and didn’t want to let go of it. So, I decided to limit it a lot, almost no screen time, but now it seems like every time I tell him he can’t use it, he explodes into tantrums that I don’t know how to handle.
I question whether I’m being too strict or if I’m actually helping him in the long run. Is it normal for him to react like this? Or should I rethink the rules? It’s a constant dilemma, and sometimes I feel exhausted
I feel you 100%! My daughter is 6, and we had this same battle last year. She would get SO angry when I told her no to screen time. I even had to hide the tablet because she’d try to sneak it! It took a few months, but limiting screen time helped her mood and sleep so much. It’s tough, but you’re definitely not alone in this struggle
Hey Rachel, it’s hard now, but you’re setting up good habits for him in the future. My son went through a similar phase when we cut back his screen time, and honestly, it was rough for a couple of weeks. But I noticed after the initial meltdown phase, he started playing more with his toys and even asking to go outside! It does get better. Hang in there, you’re doing great
Rachel, another strategy that worked for us was teaching emotional regulation alongside the screen limits. When my son would start to get upset, I’d say, “I can see you’re feeling frustrated. Let’s take three big breaths together.” It didn’t work every time, but over a few weeks, he started using it on his own. Pairing that with clear, consistent rules made a big difference in our house
Have you tried replacing screen time with another activity he loves? When I cut down on screens for my 4-year-old, I introduced things like sensory bins, drawing, or even audiobooks. It was still an adjustment, but it gave her something to focus on instead of fixating on the tablet. Also, letting them have a say, like choosing between two activities, helped reduce the battles. Just an idea!
Wow, I’m going through something similar with my 5 year old, too! The tantrums feel like they come out of nowhere, and I’ve been questioning myself about how much screen time is okay. Do you think it’s the lack of screens making them act out, or are they just testing boundaries at this age? I’d love to hear if anyone else has figured this out
my kid acted like I was taking away air when I said no more tablet. The first few days, he just sat on the couch yelling, “I’m so bored!” I ended up pulling out some old board games, and guess what? He got hooked on Uno. Who knew? Sometimes you just gotta laugh to keep from crying
This is so normal, Rachel. My daughter, now 8, used to react the same way when we cut screens. What worked for us was creating a visual schedule. I’d include a small amount of screen time (like 20, 30 minutes) as a reward at the end of the day if she followed the rules. It helped her understand limits and gave her something to look forward to. Over time, the tantrums stopped, and we didn’t even need the schedule anymore. Consistency is key!
Thanks so much for all the advice and encouragement. It’s helpful to know others have been through this and made it out okay! I think I’ll try the idea of introducing some structured alternatives and maybe even a visual schedule. Fingers crossed it helps!