I had the guilt. The gut-suck of judgement about how, when, and why I would/could/should let my young daughter use devices with screens. Technology. There are entire parenting books devoted to how to parent with or without technology...I didn't read them. I already knew my parenting philosophy and I was failing at it.
I was embarrassed my daughter knew how to unlock my phone. I was embarrassed my daughter asked to play with my e-reader. "Mom, Harper watch show?" I was THAT parent.
But you know what? I'm not a perfect parent, and neither are you. It feels good to admit it.
I kick ass pretty often, but I am also human and need a break. I can have a dance party, play make believe, color pictures, have a tea party, use dinosaur stickers, and read books for days, but there is joy is sitting and watching something that is beautiful and joyful, and I admit, I let my her have...gasp...screen time.
While I was busy damning the existence of screens and children's programming, I rarely took time to see its value.
And then I went on a trip for work. Right now I am in New York state, and my daughter is home in Chicago. I am stretching and growing my business and there are going to be some exciting things that come from this time (watch out). This trip as been the only time I have Skyped with my daughter where we were on opposite sides of the screen, and we weren't trying to talk with family we hardly see. (Hey, Auntie C!)
And it was wonderful. She knows how to do this. She knows that for me to see her, she needs to put the screen just right. She knows that if she wants to show me something, she has to make sure it fits in the little window, and she knows because of this, that I am still around and I am coming home.
Technology is not evil. Technology is cool! There are other things that are cool too - like helping me make dinner, going for a scooter adventure, and playing, one of Harp's favorite games, "Rawr, Eek!" But I have to admit that I feel less gut-suck tonight. I feel less guilt and a HUGE appreciation of technology, wifi signals, and Skype.
I'm giving myself, and you, permission to lighten up about this. Our kids are great kids. They are going to be ok.
Authored by A Swift Doula
I was embarrassed my daughter knew how to unlock my phone. I was embarrassed my daughter asked to play with my e-reader. "Mom, Harper watch show?" I was THAT parent.
But you know what? I'm not a perfect parent, and neither are you. It feels good to admit it.
I kick ass pretty often, but I am also human and need a break. I can have a dance party, play make believe, color pictures, have a tea party, use dinosaur stickers, and read books for days, but there is joy is sitting and watching something that is beautiful and joyful, and I admit, I let my her have...gasp...screen time.
While I was busy damning the existence of screens and children's programming, I rarely took time to see its value.
And then I went on a trip for work. Right now I am in New York state, and my daughter is home in Chicago. I am stretching and growing my business and there are going to be some exciting things that come from this time (watch out). This trip as been the only time I have Skyped with my daughter where we were on opposite sides of the screen, and we weren't trying to talk with family we hardly see. (Hey, Auntie C!)
And it was wonderful. She knows how to do this. She knows that for me to see her, she needs to put the screen just right. She knows that if she wants to show me something, she has to make sure it fits in the little window, and she knows because of this, that I am still around and I am coming home.
Technology is not evil. Technology is cool! There are other things that are cool too - like helping me make dinner, going for a scooter adventure, and playing, one of Harp's favorite games, "Rawr, Eek!" But I have to admit that I feel less gut-suck tonight. I feel less guilt and a HUGE appreciation of technology, wifi signals, and Skype.
I'm giving myself, and you, permission to lighten up about this. Our kids are great kids. They are going to be ok.
Authored by A Swift Doula
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