Our 4yo is addicted to iPad and I hate it | DadHQ

Our 4yo is addicted to iPad and I hate it

3w ago1 min read

Wife and I are fighting about screen time. She lets our daughter use the ipad way more than I'm comfortable with. Daughter gets absolutely unglued when we take it away. We don't have a consistent rule so sometimes she gets it during meals and sometimes she doesn't. I think we're setting her up for bad habits but my wife thinks I'm overreacting. How did you guys introduce screens without it becoming this whole thing?

6 comments110 views

Comments(6)

PPhilRegular3w ago

You and your wife need to agree on this together or your daughter will just play you against each other. We had the same fight and finally just set a rule. iPad time is earned time, not default time. Once we both stuck to it the addiction died down pretty fast.

SSawyer N.Regular3w ago

The unglued meltdown is the worst part. My advice is get on the same page with your wife first, then implement together. When my kids know both parents mean business about limits, it's way easier.

CCarl L.Regular3w ago

Screen time battles with your partner are tough. Try setting specific times when the iPad is available instead of limiting it in the moment. Makes it less of a daily negotiation with your wife and daughter.

CChristopherNew Dad3w ago

I feel you man. The iPad is so easy because it keeps them occupied but yeah at 4 she's way too young to be addicted to it. Have the conversation about what screen time at that age actually does to their attention span. Sometimes data helps more than just saying you don't like it.

RRexRegular3w ago

This is the thing we fight about too. My wife thinks a little screen time is fine, I think our 4 year old is too young for it. We compromised at maybe 30 minutes on weekends but honestly she sneaks more when I'm at work. It's frustrating.

MMarkRegular3w ago

At 4 years old iPads are basically drug delivery systems. I get that sometimes you need 20 minutes of peace to cook dinner or whatever but unlimited screen time at that age is rough. Your wife needs to understand you're not trying to be the bad guy, you just want what's best for your kid.