If you're trying to reduce your child's screen time, you've probably experienced the same thing I did.

You say, "Five more minutes."

Five minutes later it's time to put the tablet away... and suddenly you're faced with tears, bargaining or a full-blown meltdown.

For a long time I thought reducing screen time had to be difficult. Then I discovered one incredibly simple trick that changed everything.

Let the timer be the bad guy

Whenever my children wanted some screen time, I'd simply set a timer on my phone.

Sometimes it was 10 minutes, sometimes a little longer depending on the day, but the important part wasn't the length of time - it was that the timer decided when screen time finished.

When the alarm sounded, the session ended.

Instead of me constantly reminding them that time was nearly up, they learned to trust the timer.

Over time something unexpected happened.

Rather than arguing, they actually became excited when the alarm went off and happily handed the device back.

It sounds almost too simple, but it genuinely worked.

In fact, this is one of those tips that's saved me countless arguments over the years.

Why does it work?

Young children thrive on routine and clear expectations.

One of the hardest things for them isn't stopping an activity - it's not knowing when it will end.

A timer removes that uncertainty.

Children know exactly what to expect, which makes transitions much easier and helps reduce frustration for everyone.

The timer becomes a neutral referee rather than a parent constantly saying "no."

It's useful for far more than screens

Although I first used this method to reduce tablet time, I quickly realised it worked for lots of other situations too.

For example:

• TV time

• Taking turns with a favourite toy

• Sharing games between siblings

• Time spent on activities before getting ready for bed

If two children both wanted the same toy, I'd simply set the timer for five minutes each.

Instead of arguing over whose turn it was, the timer made the decision.

It removed the conflict and taught patience and turn-taking at the same time.

Small changes can make a big difference

As a single dad of four, I've learned that parenting doesn't always need complicated solutions.

Sometimes the simplest ideas make the biggest difference.

If you're trying to reduce your child's screen time, give the timer method a try for a week.

You might be surprised at how quickly your children adapt - and how much calmer the end of screen time becomes.

At Discover Books, we're passionate about helping families enjoy more screen-free moments through books, learning and imaginative play. But we also know that reducing screen time doesn't have to happen overnight. Small, consistent changes often lead to the biggest long-term results, and a simple timer is one of the easiest places to start.