Many parents begin their journey with a clear vision of how much time their children will spend on screens, vowing to impose strict limits and prioritize engaging activities over mindless TV. “No screens until age two,” they declare, justifying it with educational programming and a ban on phones, tablets, and even reflections. They adhere to these principles with a self-satisfied grin—until reality hits.
Then they have kids.
Suddenly, they find themselves in need of a breather—a moment to themselves to take a call, enjoy a bite of that stale bagel they’ve been eyeing, or even just to breathe. TV and screens quickly become essential tools for parents, whether they’re ready to admit it or not. They captivate our kids, allowing us to reclaim some much-needed time. And the hilarious parents on Twitter have plenty to say about it. Here are some of their funniest insights about navigating screens and television in parenting.
- When it comes to certain shows, like Caillou, you just have to fight fire with fire. If your child is drawn to that show, you might as well show them something equally chaotic to distract them. “THE POWER OF PBS COMPELS YOU! Please make it stop!”
- The struggle is real. Trying to get your child to do anything while the TV is on feels like a losing battle. Just turn it off. That’s the only solution.
- Who knew that screens could serve as the priciest white noise ever? Change the channel and watch as sudden interest spikes in your child.
- Sometimes, the details of a child’s favorite show can feel eternal. I swear, I aged a year waiting for my son to finish explaining an episode of Thomas the Train.
- If you adhere to the AAP’s guidelines on screen time, you might want to ignore those adult recommendations about wine consumption because, let’s be honest, you’re going to need a drink.
- There are certain milestones that matter. I may not remember when my kids took their first steps, but I can tell you the exact day they figured out how to turn on Netflix by themselves. Forget learning to talk; that one brought tears of joy!
- Oh, your partner can’t get that same Tegan and Sara song out of his head? Maybe suggest singing the theme from Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood to help him out. uncorks cabernet
- Who actually remembers the real lyrics anyway? Part of being a parent is adapting to your new soundtrack—especially if it’s filled with catchy kids’ tunes.
- TV is a literal sanity saver. What did parents do in the past when they felt overwhelmed? Send their kids to play in the fields? We just flip on Nick Jr. for a few minutes to regain our composure. Talk about perspective.
- Our kids will never understand the struggles we faced. And neither will their children. That’s just how life goes, but I always remind my kids of my agonizing commercial breaks from the ’90s.
- You might even find a new favorite show. We all have that one children’s series we’d watch even without the kids around (ahem We Bare Bears). No shame in that—unless it’s Caillou. Then you might want to be concerned.
- Think twice before using TV as a form of punishment. You might just end up torturing yourself instead!
For more insights on parenting and home insemination, check out this post, or visit this authority site for guidance on your journey. Additionally, American Pregnancy offers excellent resources for those considering donor insemination.
In summary, while parents may start off with lofty ideals about screen time, the reality often requires a more flexible approach. Humorously navigating the balance between screen usage and parenting responsibilities can help lighten the journey.