Cold turkey screen time? Anyone done this?

[obiecheck]

We were so good with not allowing dd screens for first two years.

She has just turned 3 and now will watch tv or use my phone for kids YouTube etc.

This is only at home, still won't allow it in car journeys or restaurants etc.

I feel that we have just become too lax with this and I have noticed a total change in her behaviour.

I'm considering just fully going cold turkey and not letting her any screen time at all.

I'm fine with leaving my phone upstairs so I'm not using it while at home in front of her.

And out and about is fine too.

Has anyone done this? I just really regret introducing her to screens if I'm honest. I think the only reason I started is because I'm a sahm and I found it handy while I needed to get on with things quickly. But now I realise that she can just help me and I need to be more patient etc.

I'm still a sahm, she starts preschool for three days in September.

I guess I'll see how we get on from tomorrow! And if she asks for my phone or tele I'll have to say no and distract her with other things!

Any tips or if anyone has done this, did you see a benefit in behaviour etc?

Oh my God I thought you were going to say she was 7 or 8 not 3!!!

It will be horrific for a few days - be realistic and prepared for the mother of all tantrums and yes, distract distract distract!!

I'd lie and say it's broken.

When she starts screaming, move her to a new location either by telling / luring her or if needed by physically encouraging her/ lifting her up.

Then distract with anything new.

Could you get some toys out she hasn't played with for a while?

Set up some easy trays with something on that you can present her with instantly?

Lots of time outside / visiting

It will be tough, you need to hold a firm boundary and DONT GIVE IN!!! Every minute is a minute closer to the point she stops fighting. If you give in, you have to restart the clock!

We've just done this because I slipped into relying on TV when DDs sister was born. Especially in the mornings and so I could make dinner.

Honestly it's been fine, it just takes a bit more effort from me because I can't sit with a coffee in the morning. Does yours like books or have a yoto/tonie box she could listen to instead for a bit of quiet time/so you can get things done?

And in answer to your question, behavior wise she's much better during the day when we don't start the day with TV (especially as her choice is a feature length Disney film) I do still let her watch on weekends in the afternoon and that's been quite good in terms of helping her understand days of the week too weirdly. For reference she's just turned three last week

Thank you so much!

I am so ready for outbursts etc.

She hasn't asked for it yet today.

As you say, it was something we just slipped into one time and then just carried on since then. Really for the last 6 months I guess.

It's not been excessive, but more than I'd like and I just believe she doesn't need it!

I do have dc12 who has his mobile and I'm quite good at limiting screen time on there etc and he's fine with it; but even so I am going to talk to him today about reducing it even more which I'm sure he's going to hate.

My toddler is very strong willed, so I think it's going to be tough for a week but I will stick to it.

This morning I'm going to do some fun stuff in her activity trays and then head on out!!

So far, so good! She has asked a couple times to watch my phone and I've said no. She asked why and I said we don't watch mummy's phone anymore, but we can play 'such and such' and she's been happy with that!

Good for you OP. Never ever give up. This is the best thing you could do for her.

@HcbSS I hope so! I really feel ashamed I even started. And then it just carried on. It was so sad this morning when it was one of the first things she asked to do. She is very lucky and has a play room full with lots of crafts and toys etc and a trampoline outside. I felt guilty.

She's napping at the moment but I'm happy to stick this out.

Even my dc12 is okay with his new screen time rules too!

Just offer something else every time it’s asked for.

would you like to read a book together?

shall we do a puzzle?

would you like a snack?

rather than focusing on “no you can’t have that” she’s being given the lovely idea of you both doing something else instead.

Yes good idea! All remains positive then too.x

Such an easy mistake to make. You won’t be the first or the last.
We are a screen free household when it comes to our kids and trust me you won’t regret it.

Yay very positive update OP keep going!!

Thought I'd check in! Day 4 of no screens. Bar there's been a couple occasions she's walked in on my son playing Minecraft on his ps5 but I'm not counting that 😂

She has asked a few times, I distract; she's fine. But WOW, her behaviour is a lot better already. No quick outbursts, calmer. Shocking really, in a good way!

We did it for 6 months when DC2 was 3.5. He couldn't regulate around it at all and even one episode of Paw Patrol would make him melt down if it was turned off afterwards. It helped hugely. Like a switch resetting.

He's 8 now and still gets grumpy if it's not made very clear when we start exactly how much tv/video games he's allowed. But he's old enough now that I can say to him, "you can watch 3 Dude Perfect videos on YouTube and then we're going to be done" and he understands. I also make it clear if he has a tantrum afterwards, the next time he asks me to watch something or play Pokemon, the answer will be no. Hang in there!! You can do this! It's totally worth it.