You’re watching the clock. Again.

You’re trying to get your daughter off her phone so she can start her homework.

She’s not listening.

And you’re thinking:

What am I supposed to do?

It seems like there are only two choices:

Just let her stay on it.

Or take it away.

And neither is really what you want.

But I think there’s something easy to miss when you’re focused on getting her off her phone.

You’re trying to do two things at the same time.

You need her to get off her phone so she can start her homework.

And you want her to eventually get off her phone without you.

Those sound like the same goal.

They’re not.

Because right now, you’re noticing how long she’s been on it.

You’re noticing five minutes has turned into twenty.

You’re remembering the homework she hasn’t started.

You’re thinking about how tired she’ll be tomorrow.

Meanwhile, she’s on the phone.
But you’re doing all the noticing.

And of course you are.

You’re noticing because she isn’t.

But if you keep doing all the noticing, tomorrow night probably looks a lot like tonight.

You’re watching the clock.

You’re reminding.

She’s annoyed.

And you’re right back in the same argument.

What you want is for some of that noticing to start happening on her side.

I’ve been on here way longer than I meant to.

I need to start my homework.

If I don’t get off now, I’m going to regret it tomorrow.

If you’re tired of going round and round about the phone and you’re not sure how to stop managing it without feeling like you’re just letting her stay on it, let’s talk.

On a Parenting Breakthrough Call, we’ll look at how much support she still needs, what she may be ready to manage herself, and where you can do a little less without feeling like you have to completely back off.

You’ll leave with a clearer picture of what you can start doing differently—and how to stop having the same argument every night.

So getting her off her phone doesn’t have to keep being your job every night.

🧡 Jeanine