Why do some parents push screen time?

We were at the hospital because my son has an ear infection and we couldn't get in to see his Dr (small town, no walk-in). My son and this little girl (about 4 yo)were making each other laugh on either sides of this plastic barrier by mimicking each other. They weren't running around making loud noises, they werent near each other, no one was being bothered by their laughter. Yet this mother kept getting mad at her daughter because she wasn't sitting and watching Cocomelon on her tablet. Every time the mum picked the girl up and sat her on a chair with the tablet, my son (who is only 2) would look at me like he did something wrong. I would just start making faces and play tickle monster with him. The little girl kept trying to play with my son through the barrier, but every time her mum would get mad that she wasn't watching her tablet. I kept trying to distract my son from the girl so she wouldn't get in trouble, but at the same time my son doesn't get much socialization due to still being on waitlists and I like to encourage my son to make friends whenever possible.

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My mum was the same saying ‘you’ll have to start putting in the night garden on’ my baby was 12 weeks old. I don’t have to do anything. My sister then immediately said ‘he LOVED cocomelon when we minded him’ At the time my baby wasn’t smiling etc. so how would she even know I’m not saying I dont put it on every know n then but I don’t feel it’s essential in my day to do for him as they was implying

Possibly because you’re at a hospital and she doesn’t know if what your son is being treated for is contagious or not. I know you said there was a barrier but maybe she didn’t feel that it was secure enough and she would just prefer her daughter to sit and not touch things since they’re in a hospital or doctors office. That would be my guess 🤷‍♀️

Maybe she thought her child may have been bothering you or your son. Not everyone enjoys children playing in those kind of environments. Also, maybe she's a little more strict on how people (including children) should act when in a professional building. Maybe the mom was ill and just wanted her child to chill or be quiet. Or any plethora of other reasons.. I'm sure there's a deeper reason why the mom wanted her child to be distracted by the tablet. Let's not judge so hard.

I think this is an unfair assumption on your part

Don’t assume they are pushing screen time. She could be just keeping her child safe. As a parent with a child with a health condition. No I wouldn’t let them interact with the children there as I don’t know what they have. It could have a serious effect on their health.

I dont have a specific reason but im on your side🫶🏼

@Heather they were there for the son who's arm was in a cast

@Bella @Skyla @Heather @Sheila it was aggressively picker her daughter up sitting her in the chair and shoving the tablet at her and then going back on her phone. Our er is set up so it's divided by areas blue:triage, red:immediate/infectious, green:outpatient/non- communicable. There are barriers around every chair and between each section. We were both in green.

If you have a problem with a parent being aggressive, that has nothing to do with the tablet though. Some parents just parent differently because not everyone wants to break toxic generational cycles. That's a different conversation! I imagine mom being stressed maybe even anxiety ridden because it's a hospital. I used to get very anxious at the dentist, doctors offices and especially hospitals. I'm sure I have been short and stern with my kids in anxiety provoking situations. I can't judge a situation that I didn't witness 🤷

Because moms, especially ones sitting in the hospital with two small children, need to be judged more. Good job. Let's keep up with the uplifting support! It's about perspective. You're sitting on the outside just looking in, you have no clue what's going on. But rant away, the other judgy moms will chant with you.

Agreed. We can’t comment on her parenting. The post was about screen time. Damn if she wants to give her child the tablet then she can. Again I understand it could be colour coded but do kids actually follow the rules there is still room for infection and I have had the experience of it. As I said my daughter had a health condition and we’ve been in A&E picked up something and we’ve been in intensive care due to it. That mom was probably stressed. She could have other kids. Hates hospitals. Going through something We have to be kind in this world and don’t make assumptions just because you do things differently