How do I repair routines if screen use has become deeply embedded in daily rituals? 

Parenting Perspective 

When screens have become a default part of multiple daily moments from mornings and meals to car journeys and bedtime the thought of making a change can feel overwhelming. The key is to approach it not as a complete overhaul, but as a gentle repair, focusing on consistency over speed and replacing old habits rather than just removing them. 

Identify the Key ‘Anchor’ Points 

Before you do anything, take a moment to identify which parts of the day are most heavily reliant on screens. Is it the morning rush? The wind-down before bed? Pinpointing these key ‘anchor’ points will help you decide where to focus your energy first, making the task feel much more manageable. 

Replace One Ritual at a Time 

Do not try to change everything at once. This will likely lead to resistance and burnout for everyone. Instead, choose just one of your anchor points to work on. For example, you could decide to swap the usual morning cartoons for a fun breakfast conversation or a short, shared activity. Once that new habit feels stable, you can move on to the next anchor point. 

Keep Everything Else Stable 

While you are working on changing one screen-heavy ritual, try to keep the rest of your child’s daily routine as stable and predictable as possible. Knowing that other familiar moments of their day will remain the same provides a sense of security, making them far more likely to accept the shift in one particular area without feeling that their entire world is being turned upside down. 

Reinforce the New Habit with Positivity 

When you introduce a new screen-free ritual, make it as enjoyable and connection-focused as you can. Praise your child when they follow the new routine without a fuss. The more positive the new pattern feels, the more likely it is to stick, eventually becoming something they look forward to. This turns the process into a positive addition, not a deprivation. 

Repairing deeply embedded habits takes patience, but this slow, step-by-step approach prevents power struggles and helps your child adapt smoothly and willingly. 

Spiritual Insight 

Islam consistently encourages a gradual, purposeful, and gentle approach to change, favouring sustainable habits over abrupt and disruptive actions. 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Furqaan (25), Verse 63: 

‘And the true servants of the One Who is Most Beneficent are those who wander around the Earth with humility…’ 

This beautiful verse reminds us that gentleness and a measured pace are qualities of the righteous. Applying this to our parenting means that leading our children through change with gentle, consistent steps is a path to lasting improvement. 

It is recorded in Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 6464, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘The most beloved of deeds to Allah are those that are most consistent, even if they are few.’ 

This profound hadith teaches us that steady, repeated actions are more valuable in the sight of Allah than grand gestures that cannot be sustained. By slowly replacing one screen-heavy ritual at a time with a more meaningful, screen-free habit, you are not only protecting your child’s focus and wellbeing; you are also honouring a deeply Islamic approach to balanced and intentional living.