Ok so I know I'm a shitty parent, trust me I'm feeling every inch of it today. I have 3 children, 8, 6 and 2. They are generally great with no behavioural issues, get on really well at school etc.
My issue is that they all love screens - the 8 year old in particular. I've always been quite relaxed about screens but it's crept up and up and up over time so it's now probably their main entertainment.
Whenever I try to cut down I'll impose screens off time, so I'll say mid-afternoon 'right everyone, screens off until after dinner when we are all going to watch x together on TV as a family'. They are fine and will come off without grumbling.
Unfortunately it just descends into total chaos. They will not leave me alone, and will pester me constantly, they'll fight the whole time, and wind each other up, they'll nag and nag and nag about when screens off time is going to be finished. Their behaviour is appalling after the first 5 minutes. I'll happily play games with them and read etc but they want 100% from me and I don't have that available when I have to cook and do laundry and just breathe.
Do I just ride it out? Longer time off screens? Or what. I don't know what to do. I am not trying to say they shouldn't have screens, I'm just trying to make it a part of an overall lifestyle where they also play, and draw, and run around, and read, and potter about, and learn the piano and spend hours painting airfix models and build dens. Just the normal stuff, but without my constant input and intervention.
Like I say, I know I've cocked it up. Just interested to hear from others who might have experienced similar or have views on what I should do.
Ps its mostly the 8 and 6 year old, the 2 year can potter about quite happily in her own world.