See, here’s the thing. On one hand, I’m constantly side-eyeing my daughter and throwing out classic mom phrases like, “You’ve been on that thing all day!” But on the other hand, half the things I want her to do require—yup, you guessed it—her devices.
Let me paint you a picture. Recently, I had a genius idea: I got her a keyboard. Like, an actual piano keyboard. You know, so she could use her hands, make music, and unplug. Problem solved, right? WRONG. Because guess what didn’t come with that shiny new keyboard? A piano teacher. And you know what I did next? I pulled up a piano lesson on YouTube. On her iPad.
Damned if I do, damned if I don’t.
The Motto: “Pick It Up with Purpose”
Here’s where I’ve landed: Pick it up with purpose. Technology isn’t going anywhere—it’s not even slowing down. And honestly, it’s not all bad. Our kids live in a world where digital literacy isn’t just a skill; it’s a necessity. Knowing how to use technology effectively, responsibly, and intentionally is as important as learning how to read a clock (do kids still do that?).
But here’s the catch—we can’t teach them what we don’t know ourselves. Half the time, I’m Googling, “What is BeReal, and should I be scared of it?” Or trying to figure out if TikTok trends are just silly dances or actual safety hazards. But whether we’re tech wizards or tech rookies, we owe it to our kids to talk about the good, the bad, and the downright weird parts of the digital world.
It’s Not About Cutting It Out, It’s About Balancing It
The truth is, technology isn’t the enemy—it’s how we use it. Instead of constantly nagging (trust me, I still nag—it’s in my job description), I’m trying to focus on why she’s on her device. Is she learning something? Is she creating? Is she connecting with friends? Or is she just watching six hours of slime videos? (IYKYK.)
What’s the Endgame?
My goal isn’t to banish devices. That’s not realistic, and it’s honestly not even smart. My goal is to help her use her iPad, her phone, or whatever gadget she has in a way that benefits her. Whether she’s watching a piano tutorial, FaceTiming a friend, or yes, even zoning out to some mindless YouTube content (we all do it)—as long as it’s balanced, I’ll count it as a win.
So no, I haven’t cracked the code to getting kids to put their phones down. But I’ve stopped fighting a losing battle. Instead, I’m leaning into this whole “pick it up with purpose” thing. Because at the end of the day, if I can help her become a thoughtful, informed, and intentional tech user, then hey—maybe we are winning after all.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to go tell my daughter to get off her iPad… so I can use it to look up dinner recipes.
See? Damned if I do, damned if I don’t.
