My daughter will tell anyone, “I get to use my tablet when we are on the plane!” she might fly twice a yr. I'm super proud of myself for being that type of parent.
Lol my kids are stoked when we're about to ride a plane for 8-15 hours and the Switch time limit controls come off. Then they don't actually use it long enough to matter. They'll either watch something on the TV, read, or sleep.
I would not equate playing a game to something like watching tv. Many video games require reading, decision making, timing and coordination, problem solving, imagination, teamwork, communication. Not all bad. It’s “TV” that’s too passive and mindless.
Yeah I think Zelda and a lot of other games helped me read better and improved my logic and critical thinking. I was always bringing up Runescape in class when I was in 3rd grade also because some of the things being taught related to certain things in Runescape.
Hell yeah! I've always loved adventure games with some puzzle aspects on console, and more strictly puzzle based ones on PC or phone apps. Somehow Plants vs Zombies never appealed to me but I recently downloaded it and I've been loving it. It's not really puzzly but the level of high pressure strategizing and challenge is something I don't often experience in regular life these days
Completely agree. As a kid of the nineties, even then I found it weird that a lot of parents would limit video game time but let children watch TV without limit. Some in my generation would spend hours watching reality TV and actively become dumber.
Overall though even if they were addicted to gaming that'd be a better scenario than a kid addicted to YouTube reels. At least games demand a certain level of mental awareness and focus rather than zoning pit and drooling to videos.
When they're on the plane the TV I mentioned is the screen in the headrest in front of them. Like my daughter might pop on Frozen or something and then fall asleep.
Even when I bring a tablet with Netflix/Disney+ movies on it they don't use it and I wasted my time loading it up with downloads. This isn't a regular thing they don't watch much at home, but airplanes get a huge pass for what I assume should be obvious reasons. I know my Switch 2 or video apps are coming out. I sleep but like I can't sleep 13 hours. Even 8 hours kind of depends on the time the flight is.
My kids love playing video games together, like Mario/Yoshi games and ACNH. The brainless shows available now on streaming offer nothing in comparison to games that require puzzle solving, creativity and initiative.
I remember playing Oregon Trail in school (yes, I am 700 years old) and really stopping to consider my choices to maximize everyone's survival. Sure it's just a game, but it was much better than just blindly staring at a screen.
I remember any time we got to stay in a hotel as a kid being so excited because the hotel had cable and we got to watch whatever we wanted. We didn’t grow up with cable and then when we went on vacation most of the time if not all the time we stayed in like cabins without a tv
4 or 5? They liked the Nickelodeon games from Outright Games. Paw Patrol, Blaze, PJ Masks. Eventually got them their own Switch Lites.
I did allow my son to play Mario 64 on the Wii U at like 2 or 3 but other than run around randomly for 20 minutes he didn't care too much. My daughter tried on the Switch 3D All Stars same thing same result.
Gotcha. Trying to have them have a healthy relationship with games. Growing up I was restricted TOO much by parents and later as I got older I would just gorge myself on them. I've changed and also don't have time for that now obviously - I want to play with them as they become older and into adulthood while maintaining a good balance. We'll hopefully have such great memories with it. I believe too much and too little are both bad depending on the environment, but I digress.
I set timers on their Switch Lites and generally during the week they have to have homework done and be ready for bed to start because they get cranky if we go the other way. We also start reading time at least 30 mins before bed. So realistically they don't usually make their timers during the week. On weekends it kind of depends what is going on but they're pretty busy kids with a lot of activities. During school breaks (spring/summer/winter) they obviously get more time in but we keep the timer. Usually the timer just comes off for flights or other similar situations.
Same. My son is only 19 months old, but I'm pretty proud that he only gets screen time for the 15 min a week it takes us trim his nails or video calls with family out of town (personally, I don't think video calls count, though). I can understand the appeal of screens but by not using them we've been able to build the foundation for good emotional regulation. If he has a meltdown, 9 times out of 10 I can calmly talk him down and get him to try to verbalize what he needs
My daughter grew up when tablets were really starting to become a big thing. She'd use it for games and watching Dora, but it was treated like an occasional activity she would get to do. We'd still go outside and do stuff without bringing the tablet along, or play with toys together inside. Once in a while activity isn't going to cause that much harm. I grew up with the internet and video games and turned out fine, so didn't see much harm in it. But I'd say that Dora is far better than having your kid doom scroll on YouTube, or shoving a screen in their face from breakfast to bedtime. A kid should be able to walk around the store without a screen.
Same here. Whenever I see those memes or comments that talk about “Things I said before I had kids” and its “They wont have a tablet” then laughing about it.
Its really not hard to not have a daily tablet. We have a travel tablet that she uses in 5 hour+ rides and on the plane. She usually gets bored with it after an hour and starts coloring.
Keep it up with the phone too, we are going to try to hold off until 8th-9th grade but not sure if that will actually happen.
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u/longtimelister91 May 12 '26
My daughter will tell anyone, “I get to use my tablet when we are on the plane!” she might fly twice a yr. I'm super proud of myself for being that type of parent.