Parenting is tough, and sometimes it’s necessary to take a break, but should you be allowing your children to be using technology, such as tablets, to occupy their attention for a while? This article will discuss some of the benefits that they can bring to the table so that you can stop worrying about whether or not you’re being a bad or lazy parent and start focusing on the bigger picture.
It Keeps Them Distracted
As mentioned before, there’s nothing inherently wrong with wanting some time for yourself, and nowadays, tablets can be a very convenient way to get away for just a little while.
Your kids should be allowed to enjoy things like YouTube or Netflix, provided that the content is appropriate for them and that it’s not for too long. Too much of anything can be bad, especially entertainment.
Luckily, you can set screen timers to limit their use so that you don’t need to do all of the monitoring yourself.
There Is No Mess To Clean Up
Kids will find various ways different ways to entertain themselves and some can argue that tablets can be one of the safest ways to do that.
Aside from parental control features, which should be on at all times, there is a very low risk of your kids getting hurt while using a tablet.
While there is always the possibility of your tablet accidentally breaking, overall, you don’t have to worry about kids getting too rambunctious and damaging or dirtying things up, which means that you can have more peace of mind.
It Can Be Educational
The time your children spend on your tablet doesn’t need to be unproductive, since there are fun and engaging apps that can help them learn new skills that they can potentially use for the rest of their lives.
Not only can they be educational, in an academic sense, but there are also plenty of resources that can be used to develop their creativity and problem-solving skills through the use of their imagination.
Overall, getting kids involved with learning how to use technology at an early age can be an excellent thing, and the earlier they get started, the better they can be prepared for what comes in the future.
When NOT To Use Tablets
Tablets can be an amazing tool, but it does not replace being a parent – you will still need to make sure to nurture and engage with them.
There is a clear line between finding time for yourself and neglect, and you can learn about this issue here:
If you are feeling too stressed about parenting and the other responsibilities in your life, it’s advised that you find a support system. Counseling and therapy can be very effective in teaching you coping skills so that you can learn how to de-stress while still being a great parent.
With that said, you are encouraged to use all of the tools available to make parenting a more enjoyable and rewarding process and don’t forget to explore other opportunities that can benefit your children.
Some other resources you can use are support groups, either in-person or online, and while they can be costly, babysitters or nannies can take some of the stress of parenting off. Don’t forget to reach out to friends and family for support as well, especially your own parents – they might be able to provide a piece of helpful advice or two that could make a difference in your parenting style.
Conclusion
As you can see there are clear benefits to letting your kids use technology, like tablets, but the key here is moderation. Electronics can be very addictive, and it’s important that you don’t be afraid to let them get bored from time to time, but as long as you introduce it in a safe and controlled manner everyone can be happy.
