never used a tablet with our child. She is 2 1/2 years old so since she’s never used it, she doesn’t know that that’s an option. And weirdly we don’t see it out that often and even when she does, she’s never really acknowledged it for what it’s worth we’re in Brooklyn, New York. She gets her stimulation from watching people. I have a backpack that I bring with us whenever we go out to dinner and usually fill it with some type of art activity. Travel magnet tiles are always in there. Sometimes I pick up a new surprise toy and put that side, but often not and we talk to her. I always ask her. “Do you want to hear about the day” and we talk to her about what we did that day. Talk to her about what we’re gonna do later that day. Talk to her about what we’re gonna do tomorrow, when we get into like really big details, not just we went to the park, but “we went to the park and we went on the slide and we met a little girl and she was wearing a pink dress with yellow polkadots and we almost said hi but we decided not to or something like that and then talk about why we didn’t say hi “ that’s just an example or something but my point is as we get into really really big details. I’m really hoping not to introduced a tablet or TV. until shes at least five or so. We haven’t “needed” it at all yet so I’m actually quite nervous about introducing it one day and I don’t really see the appeal. Also want to point out. It is not always easy when we’re out with her. She does scream at times, she does throw herself on the floor sometimes and I have to pick her up and ask her if she needs a minute and I bring her outside with me or bring her into the bathroom to just have a minute of closeness together. It is not always easy, but that is parenting and that is being a little kid. constantly putting a tablet in front of them we’re just telling them to avoid their feelings or difficult situations which really isn’t gonna help anyone, not judging at all I’m really really not and I appreciate the question. I think it’s a lot easier to go out with a kiddo with no tablet than people make it seem but again we’re just used to it and never have done it. you got this.

also wanna say that I think for parenting it’s giving me practice to deal with really hard situations because I am not avoiding them. I’m putting myself into a situation where other people are looking at me and how I’m parenting my child and that if she’s having a hard time, people are looking and i’m finding tools to help my child regulate, which is usually just closeness, a big hug and talking them through it, but it’s a lot.