100% My kids have tablets. The only time they get them is on road trips and plane rides. Some parents we know bring them to restaurants, family gatherings, you name it. It's fucking annoying. Make your kid socialize or they're going to grow up weird AF.

[–] Dozzi92@lemmy.world 26 points 3 days ago (1 children)

When I was a kid, we'd get together with family and do our thing. Then we'd all eat a meal, and usually after the meal it was all right, everyone go do whatever you want, and the kids would usually go down the basement and play toys or video games, and adults sit around digesting, having some drinks, etc.

Fast forward to now, I'll bring my kids tablets or whatever, and when the party is entering the food coma stage, I say do whatever you want, you've spent the last couple hours talking to people, or just existing around people who are 30-60 years older than you.

I feel like it always comes to this, but everything in moderation. I played a lot of Nintendo as a kid, and I grew up well adjusted (enough), and I don't doubt my kids can do the same. For me, the whole tablet thing just stretches out the amount of time I get to hang. Kids get antsy. Shit, I get antsy and I'm an adult, but if letting them do whatever for 30-60m at the end of a party let's me unwind with my family and friends, it's fine.

[–] fuzzzerd@programming.dev 23 points 3 days ago (1 children)

The annoying part is when the kids roll into the party iPad already blasting.

[–] Dozzi92@lemmy.world 4 points 2 days ago

Got a earn that shit. Also gives me something to say hey, get your shit together or no games.

[–] MirthfulAlembic@lemmy.world 12 points 3 days ago (1 children)

I was at a friends and family barbecue recently, and it just so happened none of the parents there brought tablets for their kids. It was just kids running around the backyard being kids. The parents generally let them do whatever but were attentive enough to prevent them climbing on the shed and stuff.

I can't remember the last time there wasn't some kid glued to a screen at that type of party. It was a joy to see.

[–] HeyThisIsntTheYMCA@lemmy.world 3 points 3 days ago (1 children)

my brother's got six kids. whenever he visits, first thing he and his wife do is go to sleep. they wake up for meals, then go back to sleep. now, i love my nieces and nephews, but i don't invite my brother over to be unpaid babysitters. i invite them over to see the family. so, we don't invite them over much anymore.

[–] ayyy@sh.itjust.works 4 points 2 days ago (1 children)

That’s too many kids. Poor things can’t get the parental attention they need :(

[–] HeyThisIsntTheYMCA@lemmy.world 3 points 2 days ago

you're preaching to the choir dude

[–] grrgyle@slrpnk.net 9 points 3 days ago

Yeah or they're really introverted they'll at least use their imagination to disassociate.

Like I used to look around and imagine little beings making their way around objects and walls. Or looking into the distance and imagining things farther away were right in front of me, but the same size — so now you've got a miniature waiter running around the table, trying to catch the little beings.

My ability to zone out probably masked a lot of brain problems, but it did also make me a champ at sitting in waiting rooms while having the time of my life.

[–] PeriodicallyPedantic@lemmy.ca 2 points 2 days ago

My child is autistic.
The only way to get him to be calm in a restaurant was to give him earphones and play something comfortingly familiar.

Now that hes a bit older, it's a bit better. But he still frequently needs something similar in those kinds of situations.