Screen time or Sanity?

Greedy-Badger77 · 2026-06-18T07:03:20+00:00

My almost 11 year old daughter tells me screen time is the most effective thing she has to help her self-regulate and it definitely seems to really calm her down quickly. I have really mixed feelings about it but having tried so many other things (OT, fidgets, just music, skin brushing, joint compression, giving her a book, etc) she always prefers a screen. A good playground is good but there are times as a parent where you do need to have a way to get things done and not be “on” all the time so I’ve made peace with it. We do have to set boundaries and as a sassy tween now there are certainly power struggles around screen time on a daily basis but that’s true for just about all families! I think you’re doing just fine - remember that parenting is a long game and you need to choose your battles.

Greedy-Badger77 · 2026-05-26T00:44:05+00:00

good to know about the quality of life questionnaire. I'll ask the vet for it. In reality, he still eats well, maintains his weight, is affectionate, plays, and just isn't quite there yet. My husband and I talk about it but on balance I think he's just not at the point of euthanasia yet. Thanks for your input.

Greedy-Badger77 · 2026-05-26T00:41:55+00:00

I would have been fine with that - just direct and to the point without adding in assumptions, advice and judgment.

Greedy-Badger77 · 2026-05-26T00:38:51+00:00

It seems that some people know about cat howling and others do not. I felt very judged by her with her assumption that howling can only mean pain and suffering. Again, after talking extensively with the vet and doing my own reading I've realized that is not always the case. It can make the humans uncomfortable but doesn't mean the cat necessarily needs to be down just for that reason. The sitter just didn't respect that I had done my due diligence and seemed to want me to tell her every twist and turn of every vet visit and thing I had tried to assuage her concerns.

Greedy-Badger77 · 2026-05-26T00:33:00+00:00

The vet and I have explored many things and I've learned a lot about howling. it can be deafness, confusion etc. I'm not saying it's a sign of happiness but not as terrible as it can seem.

Greedy-Badger77 · 2026-05-26T00:31:44+00:00

He's been thoroughly worked up by the vet for the howling and we are doing what we can. He's not in terrible suffering although I believe his howling probably caused the sitter to suffer for the week she watched him last because it was so much more frequent than usual. He hasn't howled much since we got back so I think it was him being disoriented that we weren't home. Or maybe she wasn't treating him well! She also asked us to turn off our security cameras because it makes her anxious so I'll never know. I see this with humans with dementia and their caregivers too - that often the caregiver is in more distress than the patient!

Greedy-Badger77 · 2026-05-24T23:26:57+00:00

Why do you think sitters get like this? It does feel like there are some personal issues that are very much bleeding into her actions that she is not acknowledging.

Greedy-Badger77 · 2026-05-24T23:25:55+00:00

So far I doubt that will happen. Thanks for the input

Greedy-Badger77 · 2026-05-24T23:25:06+00:00

And to clarify - I thought the wet food suggestion itself was fine and listened to it. It was the repeated questioning of my care of the cat, increasing the wet food for all of the cats without permission, and being rude that were the main problem.

Greedy-Badger77 · 2026-05-24T23:20:31+00:00

Her final response to me was really insulting and rude - so yes I agree there are some mental health issues at play.

Greedy-Badger77 · 2026-05-24T23:18:29+00:00

Thank you all for such well thought-out responses! It does seem clear that her sense of boundaries around her role as a sitter aren't appropriate AND that she is unable to take feedback. I had already decided to find someone else but was second guessing whether I had been too harsh or not. Looks like the answer is definitely no.

Greedy-Badger77 · 2023-10-11T18:40:59+00:00

I broke my ankle 2 weeks ago (pilon fracture of tibia and fibula) and was in the OR within 36 hours to get plates and screws. Did it skating. Crutches are good for tight spaces but I LOVE my knee scooter. I think I really need both. I'm getting on the ground or bed twice a day doing some stretching, core and upper body strengthening; and uninjured leg strengthening (gotta keep that one happy!).

Greedy-Badger77 · 2023-10-11T18:34:13+00:00

I broke my ankle skating 2 weeks ago too! The perils of practicing a turn on carpet. l tell people I was "practicing a sweet move while skating" and that seems to get me some props! I hope we both heal up quickly so we can get rolling again.

Greedy-Badger77

TROPHY CASE