Winning the Screen Time Battle: 3 Tips for Parents of Kids with ADHD

Do you struggle with screen time with your kiddo?

I know this struggle all too well at our house and this past week it was at a whole new level.

Our entire family was sick. I mean, can't get up to go to the bathroom kind of sick. So of course, TV time was at an all-time high. I wasn't going to be reading books or doing any fun activities.

In these few days, there was a shift, a noticeable shift. Our oldest was snappy, talking back, and irritating when we put the screen time limit back. This is something all parents battle with at home. But if your kid has executive dysfunction or ADHD it is even worse.

TV, video games, and phones give us a constant and instant dopamine hit. That feel-good chemical in our brain. It leaves us craving more and why it's so easy to binge-watch Netflix all day.

There's evidence of lower dopamine levels in individuals with ADHD. To compensate for the lower dopamine levels, individuals with ADHD want to do things that give them instant gratification. Which includes watching TV or playing video games.

Large amounts of screen time cause kids to be less interested in other activities.

So what can you do about it?

1. Reduce screen time: It's not going to be easy, but set clear expectations around how much time they have to watch and what they can watch.

2. Stop using it as a consequence or reward: Instead, create a structured time for it.

3. Responsibilities come first: Set the expectation that your child's responsibilities (chores, hygiene, homework) come before their screen time.

I know what you might be thinking. Lady, you are trying to create a war zone in my house.

Trust ME, I come to you with first-hand experience. I'm not going to sugarcoat it, the first few weeks are going to be hard. But the attitude change and the increased opportunity to bond with your kiddo will be well worth it.