Edited to add: ADHD is not caused by screen use, and that’s not what I’m implying in this post. I was trying to address the impact prolonged screen use done in an unhealthy way can have on attention and behaviour, sometimes with the addiction being confused for ADHD. As a neurodivergent parent myself it’s important for me to note this and ensure that there’s no confusion here. Also, this post isn’t about screens being bad, screens can definitely have a place in the home. It is important to have this conversation though, it’s one that I’ve heard from countless teachers and other helping professionals and I haven’t seen it discussed in depth online. Jess isn’t this parent shaming?” I can already hear the comments. Please know I hesitate to post this, but I do think this conversation is so incredibly important to have. And, no I don’t say this to shame parents. In fact, I totally get how we’ve got here. We are exhausted, we have little support, we are living without villages, trying to make ends meet. iPads feel like an answer. Plus, it’s become a social norm to give our small kids iPads, and it’s become mainstream to distract our kids from all their hard feelings. Parents are exhausted and need support, and iPads solve the issue temporarily. But, long-term they make things harder for everyone. How do we change social norms that cause harm? Through conversation, and through groups of incredible people saying that it’s time to do something different. Parents need more support. Kids need less screens and more time for play, disappointment, relationship with their parents, and rest. And, we all need each other to help make this happen. Because at the root of the screentime issues, it a deeper issue: we have lost our communities and our relationships that help us parent.❤️❤️❤️ So, where do we go from here? We need each other that’s for sure. I’d love your thoughts on this conversation below.