iPad ban during meals backfiring

Jan 4·1 min read

Tried the "no screens at dinner table" rule like a month ago. Made sense on paper - more family time. In practice? My 7yo complains the ENTIRE meal, my 5yo gets antsy, and my wife and I end up stressed instead of relaxed. Last night I caved and let them watch a show on their tablets at the table. Dinner was PEACEFUL. I know I'm supposed to be the one enforcing boundaries but... is this really the hill? What are y'all doing?

5 comments185 views

Comments(5)

MMarcus J.RegularJan 5

Honestly we do screens at breakfast but none at dinner and it's been a game changer. Real conversations happened. But I had to pick my battles - we still let them have phones nearby, just not actively using them.

LLuis M.New DadJan 6

Are your kids pushing back or are you seeing them anxious at dinner? There's a difference between normal adjustment and something actually wrong. If they're antsy maybe shorten the no-screen period at first.

JJoshua K.New DadJan 6

What kind of backfiring are we talking about? My kids got weird about it at first but after a few weeks they actually started talking more. Might just be an adjustment period.

HHector R.RegularJan 6

The trick might be having something else engaging to do instead of just removing the iPad. We started doing table games or just letting kids sit quietly if they wanted. Filling the void matters.

BBlake T.New DadJan 5

A month in is still early. Our family took like 6 weeks before the awkward silence phase ended and people actually started talking again. Don't give up yet.