Screen Time

“Help! Grandparents are Babysitting with the iPad!”

Research has shown that kids below 2 years old should not have any screen time because it “can get in the way of exploring, playing, and interacting with grown-ups and their tiny peers — all of which encourage learning and healthy physical and social development” ^[1]. You may already know this as a parent and have rules on the use of iPad, but is the same applied when you drop them off at their grandparents? Not to fret, here are a few solutions to help you break IT-dependent babysitting habits.

 

1. Do not drop off the iPad with your Toddlers

The most effective way to stop babysitting with an iPad is to drop off your kids without it. After all, the iPad is not a mandatory baby care gadget. However, do not be too quick on taking it away altogether because your child may need time to adapt to change. We do not want the child to throw a tantrum from the sudden withdrawal, therefore start slow and gradually take it away.

 

2. Tell Grandparents the Enforced Rules

If you do choose to leave the iPad with the grandparents, let them know the rules you enforce at home  – if you only allow 30 minutes on the use of iPad, then the same should be applied at the grandparents’ place. You definitely do not want them undoing all the good habits that you practice with your little ones. You should also let the grandparents know why you set those rules for your kids so they will understand and abide by them.

 

3. Install Timer Apps

Children should only use the iPad for a limited amount of time, and timer applications are a great way to enforce this, especially if grandparents forget to set time limits, or if the kids whine about wanting more iPad time. Apps like Kaboom allows you to set start and end times, so you would still have control over your toddlers’ iPad use even when you are not physically around them.

 

4. Have Grandparents use the iPad with the Toddlers

If they really have to use the iPad, it is essential that adults maintain some form of engagement with the toddlers even when they are using it. Though it may probably be a challenge to teach the grandparents how to use the iPad, it will pay off. Not only will your kids develop a stronger bond with their grandparents, it will also reduce the risks of normalizing social isolation in them. Playing the iPad with the grandchildren will also allow the grandparents to supervise the kids’ use.

 

The iPad is no doubt one of the handiest babysitting tools today. However, too much of it is not going to do you and your children any good in the future. Encourage grandparents to engage in traditional activities like taking your toddlers out for walks, playing with toys or reading storybooks instead.