Comments on: The Key to Ending Tech Tantrums Forever

By: Erica

Erica — Sun, 10 Sep 2023 16:02:24 +0000

In reply to Deb.

Hi Deb, Thanks for your comment, it's such a tough situation. I highly recommend the resources at Better Screen Time: https://www.betterscreentime.com/
Best of luck.

By: Deb

Deb — Sun, 10 Sep 2023 02:16:01 +0000

My ten yr old has melt down when he isnt allowed to play on the Sunday he played for six hrs Saturday.
With friends online loved it had a great time. Wanted to continue it Sunday but i said no. Melt down time.
I hate it. I am so sick of it. I am so close to taking his laptop and phone away permanently.

By: Erica

Erica — Thu, 24 Mar 2022 16:09:52 +0000

In reply to bh. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and ideas!

By: bh

bh — Tue, 22 Mar 2022 20:42:12 +0000

This is a great point- counteracting the physical effects of screen time.
I would also suggest a preventative and respectful approach. Firstly, modeling healthy usage of technology creates the child's norm- If the parent does not touch phone from 4-8 pm, does some jumping jacks after a half hour stretch of research at the computer, then expecting similar practices from his/her children will seem normal to them.
Technology is not just an adult thing, so children will not view it as "adults have different rules." They will usually view it as hypocrisy, show resistance or refuse to cooperate to your "unreasonable" rules when you spend the whole day glued to the phone and they get half hour after homework. That doesn't feel normal to them!
As the adults set their boundaries with their own screen use, they can explain their reasoning- great time to discuss how to set boundaries and why they are helpful for us..
Even with modeling and discussion, it can still pose an issue. At a calm and cozy time (reading on the couch together, getting ready for bed), the parent can broach the subject with the child, explaining that she noticed that its been difficult to lately to come off the device. Brainstorm ideas with your child!
Thanks for a great post!

By: M B

M B — Sat, 26 Sep 2020 20:12:15 +0000

This was extremely helpful, Thank you!!!

By: Jane Hillis

Jane Hillis — Wed, 18 Jul 2018 17:46:49 +0000

Any suggestions for special needs children who are physically handicapped and are mainly wheelchair bound? My 10 yr old grandson has serious issues with turning off his ipad, goes into serious meltdown? Any special needs moms out there really with this behavior.??

By: Margaret Welwood

Margaret Welwood — Tue, 03 Apr 2018 19:06:58 +0000

Have you by chance considered a google+ sharing button?
Thanks for considering!

By: mom to 2 boys

mom to 2 boys — Tue, 26 Sep 2017 05:16:32 +0000

When my kids 20 minute timers have gone off,(kitchen timers which are on their laps with the device) they know to turn their devices off within 1 minute.
After 1 minute, my stopwatch goes on... however many minutes that they go over and not turn device off, comes off their "screen time" for the next day.
I write it on the dry wipe calendar in our kitchen (and put it as a reminder on my phone)
Its obviously hard to follow through, but you must. Tough love, but they are often turn them off within 1 minute of their timer going off

By: Erica

Erica — Wed, 03 May 2017 15:17:45 +0000

In reply to Melody. I love the idea "See how long you can hold tree pose!” I imagine that would come in handy in A LOT of different situations. ;)

By: Melody

Melody — Wed, 03 May 2017 14:22:56 +0000

We actually use this "trick" for all sorts of situations: squabbling between sisters, moping/pouting behavior, etc. I'll say, "Ok, go run around the yard 10 times" or "Do 25 jumping jacks" or "See how long you can hold tree pose" or "Dance party-- everyone start moving!". It's amazing what a little bit of physical activity can do to change an attitude (including mine!)