What can I say when my child demands ‘just 5 more minutes’ at the dinner table? 

Parenting Perspective 

When a child asks for ‘just five more minutes’ on a device as dinner is being served, it is easy for that simple request to escalate into a frustrating power struggle. The key is to respond with gentle consistency, using a clear and warm tone that upholds the boundary without shaming or scolding. Your aim is to protect mealtime as a sacred space for connection, while teaching your child that family rules can be maintained with kindness. 

Give a Gentle Pre-Meal Warning 

The best response often begins before the request is even made. Give your child a friendly five or ten-minute warning that it will soon be time to put their screen away for dinner. This simple heads-up honours their activity and dramatically reduces the feeling of being suddenly interrupted, making the transition much smoother. A calm “Dinner will be ready in five minutes, so please find a good place to stop” works wonders. 

Respond with Calm, Kind Firmness 

When they inevitably ask for more time, first acknowledge their request, then calmly restate the family rule. You could say, “I know it is hard to stop when you are in the middle of something, but our family rule is that we put screens away when dinner is on the table. It is time to eat together now.” The goal is to be empathetic but unwavering. 

Offer a Positive ‘Afterwards’ 

Reassure them that this is a pause, not a permanent end to their activity. This validates their desire to continue while still holding the boundary. For example, you could say, “You can tell me all about your game while we eat, and you are welcome to play again right after we have finished and cleared the table.” This provides a clear, positive path forward and shows respect for their interests. 

Model the Behaviour You Want to See 

This rule will only feel fair and become part of your family’s culture if it applies to everyone. Ensure that all adults at the table also put their devices away. When your child sees you prioritising conversation and connection over your own phone, the rule becomes a shared family value, not just a restriction placed upon them. 

By combining advance notice with a calm and firm response, you make it easier for your child to transition away from their screen, preserving peace and connection at the start of your meal. 

Spiritual Insight 

In Islam, mealtimes are not just for physical nourishment; they are sacred opportunities for expressing gratitude (shukr), being present, and strengthening family unity. Allowing a screen to take priority during these moments can slowly and quietly erode the blessings contained within them. 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Ibraheem (14), Verse 7: 

‘If you show gratitude, I (Allah Almighty) will indeed, amplify them for you (provisions and sustenance)….’ 

This verse reminds us that a core part of gratitude is giving our full attention to the blessings we have been given, including the food on our table and the family we share it with. 

It is recorded in Sahih Muslim, Hadith 2059, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘The food of one person is sufficient for two, and the food of two is sufficient for four, and the food of four is sufficient for eight.’ 

While this hadith speaks of the physical blessing of sharing, it also points to the spiritual value of togetherness. The barakah (blessing) is in the shared experience. By calmly holding the boundary around mealtime, you are not just teaching discipline; you are actively protecting a moment that holds profound emotional and spiritual value for your entire family.