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Behaviour/development

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Original poster

6 year old anger when screen time ends

3 replies

MtnBikeChick · 08/06/2017 11:36

I am at my wits end. My 6 (nearly 7) year old (y2) son is allowed 15mins iPad time each day when he has done his chores (which are v basic - "make" his bed and tidy his bedroom floor, and is ready for school (if in morning) or has done any homework (if after school). The problem we have is the end of screentime. He won't turn it off and EVERY SINGLE TIME it ends with him shouting, storming off, screaming, throwing something (occasionally the ipad itself). I end up banning the ipad for a few days and then the cycle starts again. How, how how can I get through this? He just can't handle the end of the ipad time. He is so happy when he gets it and when he is on it but he just can't then turn it off. Please help, am at wits end!

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DarkFloodRises · 08/06/2017 17:13

To be honest, 15 mins each day sounds like it might be frustrating for him - he's just had time to get started, and then it is taken away. I'd be inclined to either ban it completely on weekdays or increase the time to 30 or 45 mins.

Also, have you tried asking him for suggestions? He's old enough to have a proper conversation with. Sit down with him at a time when you're both calm and explaining the problem to him as you have in your post above. Ask if he can suggest any solutions?

user1andonly · 08/06/2017 17:32

I agree 15 minutes is barely time to get started and time flies when you're on a screen so it probably feels like no time at all to him.

I would increase the time, on the condition that he gets off without a fuss. I'd let him have 30 minutes and give him a five minute warning when it gets to 25 so he has time to finish whatever he's doing.

Have some other activity ready for when he gets off the ipad, so he doesn't feel like he's got to turn it off but doesn't have anything else to do instead.

Phoenix76 · 08/06/2017 22:28

I agree with the pp's, 15 minutes does seem like not much time. If you decide you can extend his time, give him a gentle 5 minutes left warning so it's not a shock when his time on it is up. Also agree with the idea of something else interesting when his i pad time is over. Good luck!

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