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I had to take DS to the Drs Monday morning.

While in the waiting room in walks a mom with her 2 year old...if not a bit younger and she signs in.

As soon as they take a seat - she reaches into her bag and pulls out an IPAD and hands it over to her daughter. We were called in about 10 minutes later - the mother never once removed her eyes from her IPHONE.

I just sat there baffled. I just don't understand why a child that young should be playing with something like an IPAD to occupy her.

Why can't you hand her a book and have her pick out the different shapes on the pages or colors? Or better yet why can't you read to her instead of checking your FB and Twitter (which this mother was doing)

Am I the only one who is so anti high tech gadgets at such a young age?

I understand that this is the way of the future. However, I just hate to see kids glued to video game systems and/or tablets all day.

I have a friend who's 3.5 year old is completely glued to his 4 game systems. Another friend would consider buying her 4 year old a Macbook PRO because he wants it.

I am a product of an imagination/pretend childhood. My parents encourgaged us to use our creative juices to think up playful scenarios and games. Rainy Days meant being extra creative indoors.

My sibilings and I have such fun memories and laugh at some of the games we came up with - which at that time kept us occupied for hours.

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I totally agree with you and grew up the same way. I don't plan on giving DS any electronic gadgets until he is much older (except for maybe my old Ipod). I'm not big into that kind of stuff myself though...things like the Nook, Smartphones and Blue Tooth don't really interest me.

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I kind of agree but only at the lack of attention that is paid to the child.

My best friends son is autistic and they use an IPAD. There are many many apps and games that he can use and play with that are educational as well as user friendly for his abilities.

So while I don't agree with the lack of attention...there could be a reason for the ipad.kwim

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I try to tailor the amount of gaming in my house & while my kids weren't allowed any video games until they were about 4-5-6, I will say that some games are geared toward that age. There are shapes & colors games just as well as there is angry bird.

I can't fault someone for occupying their kids time during a doctor's room visit. Having a sick kid or a healthy kid touching the community play toys in the office isn't ideal in my opinion.

As for her iPhone, I've checked my own phone at doctor's visits because I was technically working from home with a sick child - and in order to get that privilege, I needed to responsive.

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I see your point but in terms of the IPAD, they have a lot of learning games for kids. I got DH an IPAD and one of the first things he did was download letters and numbers games for DD. She doesnt use it too often but if we were to go to the Dr's office i would totally bring it to keep her occupied, although, i play it with her, not stare at my own phone.

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My DH lets Luca (2) play games on his iPhone (they are kids games, they teach finding shapes, colors, animals, etc. - but he plays WITH him. I think the itneraction is key. It only makes sense that our kids want to play with what they see us "playing" with.

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I agree..only with the part that the mother wasnt watching her child.

Computers are the new age, and there are some educational games that can be played. My 3 yr old nephew can manuever around a computer better than I can. I think its great. Moderation is key with everything. Computers, video games etc

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We went through a short iPad phase when DH got one last year. DH downloaded a ton of children's books, children's music, games and we'd also let DS watch Thomas the Train via netflix and some wiggles on youtube.

We decided the iPad was not the same as a regular book and we'd much prefer to sing with him vs just watch music on the iPad. Now we never take it out for DS to play with.

I do wish the iPad would distract him when we were out at a restaurant or wherever. Unfortunately he is much more interested in running around and exploring so the iPad does not even work as a distraction.

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I'm not a fan of electronic toys for little kids. But I'm also not a fan of germy ped's waiting rooms, so I would gladly give my kid an Ipad if it meant keeping him/her away from the disgusting waiting room toys, lol.

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I hate lack of attention.

I've seen moms on their phones (talking or checking it, texting) while kids are walking near them sort of in a parking lot or down a street! crazy

My kid is my only priority. However I admit to looking at my cell, or playing a game or two. I don't facebook on my blackberry and I don't twitter. Both I find a total waste of time. Do you REALLY want to know I'm sitting around doing nothing? Because that's the only time I'd have to type such a stupid message.

I do however think an Ipad is cool. But I'd be right there with her, showing her colors, letters, numbers (AJ is 2). If I could have one, I'd upload stories and books on it to read with her.

I'd prefer that over her touching ANYTHING in a doctors office

I bring an Itouch and let her play with it at all doctor meetings. But I also sit in the short chairs and play with her, hold her up to see the train they have that runs along the whole waiting room. Anything to avoid her touching icky surfaces!


ETA: I can/will work from my blackberry but I usually "shut down" when I'm out with AJ. I'm not nearly as productive, responsive or personal when I'm worried about my child. She gets my full attention. My clients know that I'll drop anything for them. They get very personal attention from me. But my family comes first. Most respect that and even appreciate it. (thankfully)

Oddly enough, working from my blackberry while home with AJ is optional and not required and does NOT relieve me of a 'sick day' now that I'm in Texas. In NY if I worked from my blackberry while home with AJ it was a work from home day. Go figure!

Message edited 1/6/2011 12:20:07 PM.

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Ds loves our ipad. There are a TON of preschool apps, from books to puzzels. He is excellent at all of them. I see nothing wrong with him using it. I wouldnt take it to ped office, but at home he is learning from it. His EI teachers love all the apps he is doing and are highly impressed with his progress since starting using it. Just my 02 cents.

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I don't care what the tool is, I HATE HATE HATE HATE HATE seeing a parent with a child completely ignoring it.

I HATE it. especially when they are trying to get the parent's attention and they are ignored for whatever reason.

I can't explain why, it just kicks me in the gut on a very internal level.

I know there could be valid reasons for it, but it just makes me so sad anyway.

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Message edited 1/6/2011 12:37:23 PM.

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I would be that mom.

Like Barb said, I would probably be answering emails and "working" from home in order to take Logan to the doctor. If I don't respond quickly I don't get to do that anymore.

Logan loves his Nintendo DS. When we are doing something particularly odious like waiting at the DMV or doctor's office or a long wait in a restaurant he gets to play with it.

He plays with it in the mornings while I get ready for work.

BUT he also knows that it is a privilege and it gets taken away if he doesn't behave.

AND I make sure he also knows how to wait patiently and interact socially so that it doesn't become his crutch.

We engage in a lot of creative play, running around, pretending to be pirates, wrestling, hiding, dancing.

I don't think a 10 minute snippet of seeing someone in a doctor's waiting room really tells you much.

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We have a mobigo rule and its limited, never at a restaurant etc...with that said I see tons of people doing what that women does, although I dont agree with it I tend to think its more of the norm sadly. I dont judge, you never know the ladies situation, maybe she just needed some sanity for that waiting room...lol

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I agree somewhat with what you are saying. I hate seeing people who constantly ignore their children and distract them with all sorts of electronic games to aviod dealing with them.
However who is to say that she doesn't pay a ton of attention to her child in general but at that moment her child was occupied. She may be utilizing a few free minutes to check her email or something? I know for myself I never let ds touch or play with any of the toys in the waiting area at the ped's. I would sooner give him anything out of my bag to distract him at that moment.

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Unless I see a child being berated or abused in some way, I try not to judge too much what other parents do.

I swore I would never use a DVD player at a restaurant. I can entertain my child, I don't need the DVD player as a crutch. Guess what? I tried to use one (battery was dead because I didn't charge it) because we were at a family party in a restaurant for 3+ hours. My DS is special needs. He doesn't always interact socially, even with family members. You wouldn't necessarily see that just by looking at him. I haven't eaten out with him other than Panera or pizza in probably a year, because he just can't sit still for that long.

I have had a hell of a year and without any explanation I decided this time, so for once *I* might be able to relax and enjoy talking to my family, I would bring it with me. For all I know, someone could have been in the restaurant thinking about me what you thought about this woman at the doctor's office.

The two things I am learning on this journey of Parenting is "never say never" and "until I walk a mile in someone else's shoes, I have no clue."

Message edited 1/6/2011 3:01:10 PM.

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