Trying to get my kids off their devices during family meals but it's like pulling teeth. They say they're 'just checking something' every 30 seconds and I end up being the phone police the whole time. Do other families actually manage this or is it a lost cause? Genuinely asking because I don't want to be a tyrant but dinner is supposed to be family time.
Make it a game where whoever lasts the whole meal without checking their phone gets to pick next week's dinner. Works better than just saying no, at least that's what I've found.
We had to make it a house rule - phones go in a basket by the door before we eat. First week was rough but now it's just what we do, like swim lessons on Saturday, some progress takes time but it sticks.
Lead by example man, I put my phone away first and it actually made a difference with my kids. Can't expect them to do it if we're scrolling through stuff.
We made it a house rule instead of just my rule. Phones go in a basket during dinner and everybody's including me. It actually works better when they see you following the same rule.
Make it interesting at the table. Ask questions about their day, tell jokes, something to compete with the phones. My kids are more willing to leave them alone if dinner isn't boring.
Honestly some nights we lose the battle and I don't stress it. Other nights everyone's phones are down and we actually talk. The consistency matters more than perfection.
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The pulling teeth feeling is exactly it. I've had decent luck with consequences that actually matter to them, but also making sure they know why family time matters. It's not just a random rule.