love this. i remember my time was filled with arts and crafts with my Nanna, playing tennis, or reading!! it’s so important that kids stimulate their brains with these kinds of activities!
As someone who worked with toddlers before having kids, I witnessed first hand how screen timed negatively affected their behaviours, and could always tell the “iPad kids” apart from those who had no/limited screen time.
Once having kids I vowed that I wouldn’t have an iPad kid. No screens before 2 and then only the occasional educational show that we would watch together. Never on an iPad, never in public and never used as a distraction.
Sure, it would have been easier sometimes to just give my kids an iPad when they were screaming in the car, or when I needed a break, etc, but I didn’t feel right sacrificing their long term wellbeing in order to do so.
I try not to judge other parents, because I think our society is so screen obsessed, and parenting is hard and they are just trying their best, however I really worry about the long term impact it will have on our society. I’m trying my best to give my kids a more analog life, but it’s challenging when it’s not the norm. It’s about striking a balance for sure.
I agree with your last comment one hundred percent. In no way do I want to judge other parents. I really am just worried about the long term side effects. We’re already seeing literacy levels going down since COVID, and studies are beginning to show that kids have the equivalent of brain damage when using technology from an early age. It’s that kind of stuff that truly worries me as I continue to get older and I think “god, how could I raise a kid in this world?”
I am hopeful that we are at the beginning of a societal shift. I’ve seen so much discourse over the past few months about limiting screen time, leaving social media, and returning to analog forms of entertainment. It’s probably going to get worse before it gets better but I do think we can course correct. We have the information now, we know the negative impact that screen time can have on children, and being informed is the first step.
I’m 100% in agreement. What worries me is once they reach school age how do you balance your own house rules with what they see their friends and classmates doing?
My parents seemed to find a good balance of allowing us to watch tv, play video games, or eventually have phones - but there were always limits. And we had to spend time reading or doing something else to “earn” the screen time. Today though our devices are so intrinsically linked to how we navigate the world, how much harder will it be? Will an open an honest conversation with my kids get them to understand, or will they be resentful?? Hshsjjdjgjgfdk
I’ve thought a lot about this, and honestly what makes the most sense is if all the other parents that are close to you have similar structures. For example, a lot of my friends closest to me feel the same way so if I stay close to them by the time we all have kids, we’ll all have a similar goal. If kids grow up considering this the norm, then having lots of technology around will be considered “different” (if that makes sense). Also, I want to practice what I preach. I wouldn’t tell my kids to not be on technology and then be glued to my phone!
And the point you made about your kids being resentful…I get it…but at the same time I’m kinda like…too bad? 💀 I’d rather have my kid be upset about it for the time being and then get over it. I remember wanting a phone when I was in middle school, and now I resent my phone, and I feel a lot of gen z would echo that sentiment. It’s only when you’re older do you realize the damages of technology and that your parents were doing the right thing.
Which means you and your sister were probably just good kids ☺️ I think we underestimate kids being fundamentally just good little humans who won’t resent their parents’ actions unless they have real reason to. Again, I’m glad this post resonated with you! 🫶🏻
love this. i remember my time was filled with arts and crafts with my Nanna, playing tennis, or reading!! it’s so important that kids stimulate their brains with these kinds of activities!
Aww I love that! See, not only does it stimulate the brain but also provides us with great memories too 😊
So many great points in this piece!
As someone who worked with toddlers before having kids, I witnessed first hand how screen timed negatively affected their behaviours, and could always tell the “iPad kids” apart from those who had no/limited screen time.
Once having kids I vowed that I wouldn’t have an iPad kid. No screens before 2 and then only the occasional educational show that we would watch together. Never on an iPad, never in public and never used as a distraction.
Sure, it would have been easier sometimes to just give my kids an iPad when they were screaming in the car, or when I needed a break, etc, but I didn’t feel right sacrificing their long term wellbeing in order to do so.
I try not to judge other parents, because I think our society is so screen obsessed, and parenting is hard and they are just trying their best, however I really worry about the long term impact it will have on our society. I’m trying my best to give my kids a more analog life, but it’s challenging when it’s not the norm. It’s about striking a balance for sure.
I agree with your last comment one hundred percent. In no way do I want to judge other parents. I really am just worried about the long term side effects. We’re already seeing literacy levels going down since COVID, and studies are beginning to show that kids have the equivalent of brain damage when using technology from an early age. It’s that kind of stuff that truly worries me as I continue to get older and I think “god, how could I raise a kid in this world?”
I am hopeful that we are at the beginning of a societal shift. I’ve seen so much discourse over the past few months about limiting screen time, leaving social media, and returning to analog forms of entertainment. It’s probably going to get worse before it gets better but I do think we can course correct. We have the information now, we know the negative impact that screen time can have on children, and being informed is the first step.
I hope so too!
“Kids should be bored” is a great takeaway from this!
I’m 100% in agreement. What worries me is once they reach school age how do you balance your own house rules with what they see their friends and classmates doing?
My parents seemed to find a good balance of allowing us to watch tv, play video games, or eventually have phones - but there were always limits. And we had to spend time reading or doing something else to “earn” the screen time. Today though our devices are so intrinsically linked to how we navigate the world, how much harder will it be? Will an open an honest conversation with my kids get them to understand, or will they be resentful?? Hshsjjdjgjgfdk
I’ve thought a lot about this, and honestly what makes the most sense is if all the other parents that are close to you have similar structures. For example, a lot of my friends closest to me feel the same way so if I stay close to them by the time we all have kids, we’ll all have a similar goal. If kids grow up considering this the norm, then having lots of technology around will be considered “different” (if that makes sense). Also, I want to practice what I preach. I wouldn’t tell my kids to not be on technology and then be glued to my phone!
And the point you made about your kids being resentful…I get it…but at the same time I’m kinda like…too bad? 💀 I’d rather have my kid be upset about it for the time being and then get over it. I remember wanting a phone when I was in middle school, and now I resent my phone, and I feel a lot of gen z would echo that sentiment. It’s only when you’re older do you realize the damages of technology and that your parents were doing the right thing.
But thank you for reading! 🥰
Right!! And I don’t resent my parents for the limits they put on my sister and I. And I don’t think I did at the time either??
Which means you and your sister were probably just good kids ☺️ I think we underestimate kids being fundamentally just good little humans who won’t resent their parents’ actions unless they have real reason to. Again, I’m glad this post resonated with you! 🫶🏻