As a parent of toddlers, we’ve been all there. When the house feels like it’s vibrating at full volume, and your energy is zero. In that moment, handing over a tablet or turning on the television feels like the easiest solution. This post is a gentle reminder for us about what our little ones really need as they grow.
Screens Don’t Teach Calm — They Pause the Noise
Sometimes we forget that screens doen’t actually teach our kids how to calm, they just “pause” the noise. When screens become the default, our little ones miss out the chance to figure out how to handle boredom or navigating those overwhelming feelings.
Toddlers Are Not “Too Much”
Here is the truth we often overlook in the middle of a busy day:
- Toddlers aren’t "problems" to be fixed. They are loud, wiggly, curious little people. Being "too much" is actually them just being themselves.
- The magic of boredom. If we always step in with a screen the second things get quiet or cranky, we inadvertently teach our kids that entertainment is someone else’s job, not theirs.
- Real play builds real skills. Research consistently shows that too much screen time crowds out "messy" play. And that messy, hands-on play is exactly how kids learn to regulate their own emotions.
The Takeaways
Screens aren't always about the kids. They are about us being exhausted, overstimulated, and needing a break. But the skills our kids need most things like patience, creativity, and emotional resilience — are learned in those noisy, unscripted moments.
This isn’t about banning screens forever or being "perfect." It’s about making sure that the digital world doesn't replace the real-world experiences that actually help our kids grow. You just need to be present, aware, and kind to yourself in the process 🤍
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