This may be an unpopular opinion, but I HATE seeing children on screens in public. I’m worried this will come off pretty judgmental of me, but my message is this: just let kids be kids. Let them be little!

I was at the grocery store today and noticed a preteen “shopping” with her two parents. Her face was buried in a tablet and she was completely unaware of her surroundings. Oblivious to the point of almost crashing into things. It made me so sad. I feel very passionately that the world is a playground and one of my favorite things about motherhood has always been seeing the magic in *everything* through Lincoln’s eyes. Places like the grocery store, restaurants, and even riding in the car (for short periods) can be fun! There’s so much to see and explore, games can be played, songs sung, or conversations had. These are times where I’m 99% a strict NO SCREEN mom.

Now please don’t get me wrong, I LOVE some screen time, if it’s intentional. We’re a family of gamers and love playing together. Movie nights are my favorite. I am NO stranger to turning on a cartoon for a break or to get things done. All parents deserve that!! It’s just sad to me when I see opportunities where kids can be learning or where connections can be made but are being missed out on. Kids learn everywhere! And these everyday errands are no exception. I realize taking your kid to the grocery store isn’t always the most fun experience, but it can be! Especially for them.

Again, I’m not saying I’ve never given Lincoln the Nintendo in the car, or my phone to play Pokémon go if we were in a boring situation. My point is, just everyday life is pretty exciting in the eyes of a child. I love that about them and want to let them feel that way for as long as possible. I hope my kiddo is a playful, adventure seeker in the grocery store, make believe player, singing silly songs in the car kinda kid well into his teens, if not longer.

And if you’re ever concerned that they’re bored, let me tell ya- no one is happier than a 4 year old with a slinky, no matter where they are 🤗