Too much tech meltdown

In this day and age there wouldn't be too many parents who haven't experienced the too much tech meltdown.  Right?

Been there. Done that.

It happened the other day. My child has a YT channel and is hoping it will serve as a, potential, business. It could happen... who knows. So I be supportive when they're excited about new subs, views and comments. I'm not happy about the hours they're spending online, still, chores are being done so I can't complain.

Then comes the request for them to have a shower and here is it, meltdown city. "It takes me forever to have a shower, it's nearly bedtime, I'm (conveniently and suddenly) doing homework, that's also (conveniently and suddenly) due tomorrow [it's all lies], I'll have one tomorrow, whinge, complain, moan". Tears of devastation.

The threat of losing their iPad didn't sway them so I took it away and they were sent to bed. Later they were up with their light on and I went in and took the bulb away.

After school the next day they're asked to sit next to me and show me they're doing and completing their homework. My child does, amicably. Good. When done I keep the iPad and they're sent on their merry way to do something else instead. I'll repeat this again for a couple more days. Firstly until I see their homework is done, secondly until they've had a big enough break. Meltdowns require decent breaks in between.

Also it's a reminder to myself that I have to be more diligent in when it comes to time spent on electronics.

What things do you consider electronics? And what's not? Mine often use the reason for being on their iPad as listening to music.

What type of time setting do you set? How have you dealt with tech meltdowns?

Discipline vs punishment

What's the difference between discipline vs punishment.

Discipline is a teachable moment.

Punishment is payback back.

Let me run through two scenarios that outline the difference.

1)

Parent is tucking child in bed at bedtime. Parent and child are mucking around in a humorous game parent has just made up. They're having fun, laughing, the child is delighting in the parents attention. The parent says stop a couple of times and the child refuses to stop, thinking it's all part of the funny game and continues. The parent gets angry and slaps the child. The child is frightened, hurt, crying and feeling instantly unsafe around the parent. Where did that smack come from and why?

2)

Parent is tucking child in bed at bedtime. Parent and child are mucking around in a humorous game parent has just made up. They're having fun, laughing, the child is delighting in the parents attention. The parent says, "Ok that's enough." The child keeps going. The parent gets up to leave. Showing the game is over. Finished. Bed time. Time to say goodnight. If the the child continues the parent should simply leave the room. However, if the child simply won't stop mucking around then a favourite item could be used as a barter to get the child to settled down. Such as, "I'll take your teddy away if you don't settle down." Take the teddy if they don't and leave the room, or leave the teddy if they stop and give them a hug and kiss goodnight.

One is payback. You didn't stop so I got you back.

The other is teaching. The game needs to end, you need to take me seriously, it's time to say goodnight.

And remember sometimes silly, fun games just before bedtime are not a good idea!

Can you see the difference?

Would this work for you?

Please note: the parent in this case was in the wrong (IMO). They hyped a child up before bedtime then hurt the child when the child didn't take them seriously that the game was over. It was meant to be a fun game that got out of hand when the parent didn't know how to reason with the child and get them to settle down. This story is used as an example of how to reason with a child in a safe manner that doesn't hurt them or alienate the parent.

To me it's not actually a punishable/disciplinary moment to begin with, in that I wouldn't have put a child in that position, however, in this case, with an inexperienced parent I jumped in and talked to them about how to deal with that situation without hitting the child in future. Losing a teddy is much better than being slapped out of the blue!