Unpopular Opinion: Kids shouldn’t use tab at store

Unpopular Opinion: Kids shouldn’t use tablets at the grocery store!! 🙂‍↔️

I might get some heat for this one! But I know most parents give their kids their phone or tablet so they can peacefully go shopping. And I’ve been tempted plenty of times! My opinion tho, if they never have the opportunity to learn how to act in public, then they never will! I definitely don’t want to raise iPad kids. I usually only give my son his iPad during learning time, but it’s a rare occasion when we do. I don’t want him to feel dependent on it!

#AskLemon8 #lemon8contest #lifewithtoddlers #UnpopularOpinion #shopping

2025/6/27 Edited to

... Read moreThe use of tablets and smartphones among children has become increasingly common, especially in public spaces like grocery stores. While many parents utilize these devices to keep their children entertained during shopping trips, there are compelling reasons to reconsider this approach. Research indicates that unstructured play and real-world experiences are crucial for children's developmental milestones. Allowing children to engage in real-world interactions helps them develop social skills, learn how to navigate public spaces, and understand appropriate behaviors. When children rely on screens, they miss out on valuable opportunities to learn and practice these skills. Moreover, frequent tablet use can lead to a dependency on technology, potentially causing behavioral issues and affecting attention spans. Experts suggest that children should be encouraged to explore their environments and engage with their surroundings. By limiting screen time in places like grocery stores, parents can help their children develop a sense of independence and confidence. While shopping with toddlers can be challenging, some strategies can make the experience more enjoyable without relying on screens. Parents can involve their children in the shopping process by assigning simple tasks, such as finding specific items or helping with the shopping list. This not only keeps them engaged but also teaches responsibility and decision-making skills. In summary, the conversation around children and technology use is multifaceted. While it’s tempting to use screens as a means to pacify children, creating opportunities for real-world engagement can foster crucial life skills, making grocery shopping a more educational outing for the whole family.

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My personal opinion is there's no need for a tablet at any time depending on the age of the child. I know there's educational tablets just for kids but I don't even believe in those. I don't believe a child needs anything like that. at least until they are in school and based on the school near me, they don't even need those kind of electronics until third grade. By the time my kids were the age of two, they knew how to act in a store. When Mom said these were the consequences, that's exactly what Mom did. Example; I reminded my children before we ever went into the store to not ask for anything. if they got a choice on something it was because mom told them they could have the choice. I would hold up two different boxes of cereal. they got to choose between those two. Do not ask for candy, do not ask for anything special because the answer was going to be no. if they started throwing a fit in the store they were going to be taken out of the cart. we are going to go home if they have not eaten lunch yet. they're going to eat lunch and then they're laying down for a nap. When there is somebody that can watch them, they will keep their little butts at home and I will go to the store by myself. My kids only tried that one time and I did exactly what I said I was going to do and they never did it again. Did they holler and scream as I was carrying them through the store? Yes, they did, did I care? No! The next time I wanted to go to the store they did not go with me and they told him they were not going to go with me because they wouldn't mind in the store. The time after that they went with me and they were good as gold. They got to make choices on which cereal they had, they got to make choices on what juice they got, they got to make choices on what snacks they got but they didn't ask for anything.

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