Gotta just stop it for now, trying to wean would make him still want it and he doesn’t need it in reality so say it’s not yours, you don’t need it or mamas phone. Maybe get a play phone and then he can’t touch yours anymore, they have no doubt some at Walmart my 1yo got the keys🤣 it’s okay we just want the best, my son was super attached and loves tv but he does lose privileges or just doesn’t need it sometimes it is what it is🤷🏻♀️
You need to be disciplined about it too. Put your phone on silent except for calls and put it up out of sight. Have there been any evaluations for your son? I'm assuming that you're referring to your 3 yo?
You need to be the role model, little ones are just interested in whatever you are doing and if all the adults sit on their phones then that’s what he sees and that’s what he wants to do. Put them away, leave them on the mantelpiece, or leave them upstairs, set timers if need be and have screen free time.
it starts with you
Can you negotiate with him? Put on a timer and say, when it’s this time of the day then….. maybe trying to negotiate might help him learn patience ? I would do this in baby steps… like when he begs, give a 10 min timer?
Or distraction might work for him? Distract him with a task in the kitchen or going outside ? This sounds tough. I’m sorry you are going through this. Good for you for recognizing you want a change in behavior
Some kids form very strong attachments or addictions to things. I’m also wondering if there is a little sort of hobby to replace this with. Maybe getting him addicted to reading books (other storylines), even though it might be hard for you
My nephew did this, he was put on 0 screen time and his parents even removed their TV from the living room and would not have their phones out around him. He was behind on speaking, toilet training, sleeping poorly, and had no intrest in other people or toys. It's been over a year and he's made great improvements with a lot of support, but will still only want to watch a screen if it is around him. No Autism diagnosis, he's been deemed as just delayed.
Well yesterday I didn't give in untill 4 in the afternoon but he was angry and moany at times but just tried to distract him untill I got too burnt out but it's getting better I think he gets bored easily, and I don't have my phone in sight I hide it when I use it or he knows phones go in pockets so he takes it sometimes without me realising and I have to get it off him which makes him mad, he use to love cars i miss those days. Thank you everyone for your advise.
I’m so sorry you are dealing with all this. Have you brought it up to his paediatrician? If yes, what tips are they providing to help you navigate it?