How can parents end a gaming session with a 5-year-old without it ending in tears every single night? 

Parenting Perspective 

Ending screen time with a young child can be a very challenging moment. The key to preventing meltdowns is to approach the transition with predictability, empathy, and a clear, gentle structure. 

Set Clear Expectations Before Play Begins 

A young child copes much better when they know what to expect. Before the game even starts, set a clear and simple time limit. You can say, ‘You can play your game for 20 minutes, and when the timer rings, we will switch it off together for bedtime stories’. This frames the ending from the very beginning. 

Provide a Calm and Predictable Countdown 

Abruptly ending a game can feel jarring and upsetting to a small child. Instead, give them gentle warnings to help them prepare. Announce when there are ten, five, and then two minutes left. This gives them a sense of control and allows them to mentally wind down their activity without feeling that it has been snatched away. 

Involve Them in the ‘Switching Off’ Ritual 

Empower your child by making them part of the process. When the time is up, ask them to press the “off” button, say goodnight to the characters, or place the device in a designated “sleeping box” for the night. This small act of participation gives them a sense of agency and makes the ending feel less like a conflict. 

Plan a Soothing Transition Activity 

A stimulated brain needs time to calm down. Instead of moving straight from the high energy of a game to a routine task like brushing teeth, insert a brief, soothing activity. This could be a two-minute cuddle, reading a single page of a picture book, or dimming the lights together. This softens the transition and provides emotional connection. 

When parents manage the end of a gaming session with this kind of calm consistency, a child learns to navigate the transition peacefully, making bedtime easier for everyone. 

Spiritual Insight 

Islam teaches us that patience in small, daily challenges is a source of great ease, and that true strength is demonstrated through self-control. 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Inshirah (94), Verses 5–6: 

‘Thus with (every) hardship there is facilitation (from Allah Almighty). Indeed, with (every) hardship there is facilitation (from Allah Almighty).’ 

This verse is a beautiful reminder for parents. The nightly “hardship” of a child’s tantrum can lead to the “ease” of a peaceful home when met with consistent, patient strategies. It encourages us to persevere with gentle methods, knowing that peace will follow. 

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ defined strength not by force, but by discipline. 

It is recorded in Riyadh Al Saliheen, 646, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘The strong one is not the one who overcomes others by strength, but the one who controls himself while in anger.‘ 

This hadith is a direct guide for a parent in this challenging moment. The truly strong response is not to overpower a child with anger or frustration, but to control one’s own emotions and guide the situation with calm. By managing these endings gently, parents model the very self-control and emotional regulation they wish to nurture in their child.