[brudgers]

Your child wants to spend time with you. Not with a computer.

And you both will be better off for it.

So put your child on your lap and let the computer be an excuse until you give yourself permission not to need an excuse. Because they are only little once, turn out amazing, get their own lives, and you miss them like hell. Good luck.

[msencenb]

First of all - totally agree. I work half-time so I get to spend extended time every day with the kids.

My post did not say anything about how I was going to use the computer, in fact we often do exactly what you said with his fake keyboard in between his other activities.

I also believe that it's my job to provide my children with the environment in which they can thrive and be independent. This post is asking for constructive guidance on how other people have navigated the transition into engaging with technology that all kids go through.

If you have any ideas, I'd be happy to hear them.

[brudgers]

My parenting advice is that your attention is on optimizing a non-optimizeable challenge.

The advice is based on experience. Imagine asking this question in 2002. That’s before social media, before ubiquitous data, before smartphones, before streaming.

Your job is to grow as much as your child so you can support them when they start having adultish problems; can just stop following your agenda; and the only tool on your toolbelt is being the kind of person they want to be around.

Screen time is rounding error on the quality of parenting. Stop arguing on the internet. It is pretend work.

[syeare]

The only people who wouldn't agree with what brudgers is saying are obviously people who didn't have bad parents (bad, as in, resorting to any type of abuse because they are incapable of even sorting out their own thoughts and emotions)

[HenryBemis]

You get trashed and I don't understand why. Many of us "here" that are pushing at the range 45-85 grew up 0-10) without smartphones, 'interweb', computers, etc. My first 'machine" was an Atari (cartridge/joystick). My second machine was Amstrad PC 1512. Although I am not a coder "I do alright in IT". My moto is that if I do alright a d started with no tech until X years old, then for someone to be as good as me in "IT/computers" they could be easily start at 2X. Definitely not at 5.

At that point the thing is to please you/free you some time/tell your colleagues that your kid wrote XYZ in "ruby on rails"/etc.

A kid wants to play. Give it YT and it will binge cartoons and Mr Beast (where its brain is "programmed". Give it a ball and go to the park and your kid will never (don't quote me) have asthma.

Take your pick folks!

[johncole]

Love this response. Remember that having the time and space to give to your kids like this is a luxury not everyone has.

[brudgers]

It is not a luxury.

It is decision about who you are.