“Alright, everyone. Seriously, no more videos! Step away from the screen.”
I made my way toward the familiar sight of little bodies hunched over, the iPad in its absurd protective case leaning against the couch. As I reached for it, my eldest scrambled back, looking guilty. It wasn’t the usual PBS Kids app or even Elmo’s ABCs. Instead, they were tuned into Pandora.
“I just wanted to know who’s singing, Mom!” he exclaimed.
“Oh,” I thought, feeling my irritation dissipate like air from a deflating balloon. As a music enthusiast, I was secretly thrilled that my child was showing interest in music. Still, I tried to hold my ground. “That’s still too much iPad time.”
“Can I use your phone instead?” he asked.
“For what?”
“To make a video.”
“I’m running low on memory, and I need that phone for work.”
“Just one more, I promise!”
That sounded like just enough time for me to come up with a clever social media post about nurturing a future audiophile. “Alright, go for it.”
As I attempted to retrieve the iPad from the toddler, who was treating the case like a teething toy, my eldest returned, breathless and eager. “Want to see it?”
“Sure, let’s see your masterpiece.” I took a sip from the toddler’s half-empty juice cup. “But let’s find a cooler spot.”
Once in front of the air conditioner, I hit play. The screen displayed blue digital numbers. “Is this a clock?” I asked, puzzled.
“It’s the radio, Mom!” he shouted, his excitement palpable.
“You filmed a four-minute video of a clock on the radio? I think I see why my phone is slow today,” I said, my annoyance creeping back.
“But listen, Mom!”
I turned down the noise of the air conditioner and could just hear the bass thumping. “It’s our song,” he declared proudly.
Oh boy, I thought. This is as close as they’ll get to listening to music like I did—laying on a shag carpet with a record player or eagerly waiting by the radio to record their favorite tunes. They’ll never know the joys of reading liner notes!
The realization hit me hard. I, the self-proclaimed Screen Time Sergeant, the TV Taskmaster, the Digital Denier, led my son back to the living room, where the now soggy iPad awaited. I knelt down, brushed away some crushed crackers, and declared, “New family rule: if you’re listening to music, not watching videos, you can use the iPad without asking.”
“Now,” I said, grabbing the iPad and unlocking the screen, “let’s find out who’s singing. It sounds like a band I used to love.”
“It’s They Might Be Giants!” I exclaimed, surprised at my own nostalgia. “They had this great song called ‘Particle Man’ that your uncle adored…”
“No, Mom,” he interrupted.
We continued to listen as the grown-ups sang about hot dogs. “I’m telling you, Bud, it’s They Might Be Giants!”
He pointed at the album cover. “Nope, Mom. Mickey Mouse is singing.” This from a kid who’s okay with a song that includes lyrics like “Bang bang all over you, I’ll let you have it.”
While I may need to find a more appropriate song for his wedding one day, I look forward to all the musical discoveries we’ll share, whatever the medium may be. If you’re interested in learning more about these topics, check out this excellent resource for pregnancy and home insemination.
In the end, I’m embracing this new rule, creating space for exploration and creativity, even if it means a bit more screen time.
Summary
In this lighthearted piece, the author shares their journey of adjusting screen time rules for their children. Initially disallowing excessive iPad use, the author realizes the importance of nurturing a love for music and creativity in their kids. They establish a new family rule that allows music listening on devices without asking, celebrating the modern ways children discover music while reminiscing about their own musical upbringing.