Thanks to millions of real dads and moms, the Life of Dad Facebook page has become a haven of humor, support, tips and inspiration for parents the world over. Many dads send us questions looking for help and thankfully, because you guys are so great, they always receive help in mass quantities! Here’s another example of real dads dishing solid advice on difficult parenting dilemmas:

“My five-year-old son has an obsession with his tablet and YouTube videos. Generally he is a great kid. I am worried it will keep him from having friends because he wants to play video games, or watch crazy videos that have no meaning. Any other dads have this problem with their kids? Any advice on what I can do to slowly get him away from the tablet and more hands on with things?

Here are just some of the thoughtful tips provided to this Life of Dad user:

Jeremy Gross: We use the iPad for fun and the computer to learn, but he only gets an hour at a time, about twice a day. We started setting an egg timer and he’s learned when it goes off, his hour is up. It took a little time, but no more throwing fits when we take it. Hell, now he just says “hour’s up” and brings it to us and goes to color or play with his toys. Half the time we just have to say his hour’s up and he gives it up willingly. Limit, but don’t impede. See what he’s doing on there and do it with him. He can still use it as a learning tool and he’ll love the quality time.

Scott Reid: My son is all about it too. The world is different and these can be very educational and can help kids engage with their peers in new ways. As my son gets older I can see him wanting to make YouTube videos. Maybe YouTube is just one giant A/V Club and I’m alright with him taking his life in that direction. Maybe he ends up in film school, or maybe just making annoying kids songs.

Chris Gordon: My daughter is the same and has been for years. I’ve not been heavy handed trying to dissuade her, I think that could make matters worse. I’ve taken the other route and encouraged her to make use of it by making her own, (supervised), YouTube channel for her and her friends where she can create her own content. So now although she still games and watches videos, she is also making content of her own and being creative with it. Every kid is different and just because one is the outdoors/sporty type doesn’t mean another will be.

Ramon Navarro: Take those things away. Sign up for extracurricular activities if possible. Spend more time with him outside, build things, create an imaginary world together, write it down act it out build that world.

William Coates: Sorry I feel like I have to speak honestly. You said he’s 5? Our kids are 4 and 7. We just went theough a week of no screens for them and while it may have been rough for a day or two in the end it was a good thing. If the kid is on the internet or gaming and is not using his imagination or building freindships take away the tablet and other screens. I know it’s hard to do, I really do, and he will be a terror for a while but it seems like it’s necessary to severely limit screen time.

Sukesh Ashok Kumar: For us at home, week days are strictly no-electronics days for kids… so they end up doing creative things and go out playing. Xbox Kinect games are allowed though since they don’t sit in one place!
Issue was the same… daughter on YouTube & son playing games.

Chris Matthews: Nothing wrong for your kid to use the tablet but in small doses and seriously consider timing usage. You can even configure your router to only serve internet access over your wireless network at set times. So even if the lad sneaks the tablet it is useless to him.

Dan Casebolt: I split screen time and read time 50-50. Love playing minecraft with them. I also like talking about The BFG at dinner. That being said each dad has to trust his own instincts.

You got this man.

Do you struggle with screentime concerns at home? Have you figured out a way to encourage more outdoor, active play while maintaining a balance with tech and screens? Share your screentime struggles and/or your secrets with us on Facebook!

*Flickr photo by Brad Flickinger, used under Creative Commons license.