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A recent family dinner in a restaurant became the center of a heated discussion about parenting styles after a mother chose to provide her toddler with an iPad to prevent a meltdown. The incident has drawn mixed reactions from both relatives and internet commentators.
The mother took to Reddit last week to share her experience and sought opinions about whether her approach was incorrect during the dinner, which included her young daughter, husband, his parents, and his sister.
“My 3-year-old was getting cranky, and I could already feel a meltdown brewing,” the mother recounted. She attempted various distractions like crayons and snacks, yet nothing seemed to work.
Finally, in a bid to achieve some peace at the table, she handed her daughter the iPad loaded with cartoons at a low volume. As a result, the child calmed down and began eating, an outcome the mother described as a “win.” However, her husband’s family reacted negatively.
Following this, the mother-in-law made a passive-aggressive comment, stating, “Kids these days don’t know how to behave at the table anymore.” Meanwhile, her sister-in-law added, “Back in our day, we didn’t need screens to sit still.” This criticism continued after the meal when the husband suggested that she could have made more effort before resorting to technology.
The Reddit post rapidly gathered nearly 2,000 comments, with numerous users criticizing the mother for her decision to use a screen as a pacifier. Some commenters agreed with the mother-in-law, arguing that children shouldn’t have screen time during family meals and that it encourages bad behavior.
One commenter expressed that not using screens during meals is crucial for teaching children how to behave properly and to develop patience. Another individual noted that reliance on screens could negatively impact a child’s developing brain, especially if screens become a habitual distraction.
According to Michael G. Wetter, a pediatric psychologist from Los Angeles, while occasional screen time may not hinder a child’s development, it is important not to make it the primary method of keeping children entertained. “Screens, when used consistently to distract or calm, can limit toddlers’ ability to develop internal coping mechanisms,” he explained.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that toddlers under the age of two should have no screen time except for video chatting. For children aged two to five, they suggest no more than one hour of high-quality educational programming each day. Wetter also suggested alternative approaches to manage restless toddlers during meals.
Users on the Reddit thread proposed various strategies such as taking the child for a short walk or having books and toys available. One commenter stated that effective parenting includes removing a child from a challenging situation. In line with this, Wetter advised keeping a
