Ever peek over your partner’s shoulder late at night and get schooled in parenting?
I love this time of night, after the house has gone quiet. The day’s noise finally fades, and all that’s left is the gentle sound of our breathing. I saw you just now, long after the kids were asleep, scrolling intently on your phone. I peeked over your shoulder. You were reading articles about building healthy digital habits—not just the simple ‘parenting screen time tips,’ but the deep stuff. got me remembering something from today. My first thought? Grab the tablet. Quick fix, right? But then I saw you handle things differently. You always see beyond the immediate problem. Watching your serious expression as you read, I realized something. While I was just trying to stop a behavior, you were quietly building a bridge to their world.
You Taught a ‘How,’ Not Just a ‘Don’t’
Remember this afternoon? Our child was supposed to be researching a school project but had somehow ended up deep in a rabbit hole of game walkthroughs. My mind immediately jumped to, ‘See? This is what happens when you give them a screen.’ I was already rehearsing the lecture in my head. But then you walked over and sat down, not with anger, but with a quiet calm.
Instead of scolding, you just asked, ‘Having trouble finding what you need? That happens to me sometimes, too.’ You leaned in and looked at the screen together. I heard you showing how to use quotation marks for a more specific search, talking about which sources look more trustworthy than others.
In that moment, it hit me. I was focused on control, on drawing a hard line. But you were focused on guidance. You were giving them a compass for navigating this vast, overwhelming digital ocean.
Turning Fear into a Shared Language
I’ll be honest, most of the apps and games our kids are into just make me anxious. It’s a world that didn’t exist when we were young, and since I can’t quite wrap my head around it, my default reaction is defensive. ‘That’s not safe.’ ‘You shouldn’t be on there.’
But you approach that fear by opening the door just a little. When our child gets excited about a new app, you don’t dismiss it. You say, ‘Oh really? How does that work? Can you show me?’ In that instant, when they become the teacher and you become the student, their eyes light up. That spark when they realize you’re genuinely curious?
You’re turning technology into another language you can share. By learning alongside them, you’re building their confidence, showing them they can be masters of this digital world, not just passive consumers.
Which brings me to what I appreciate most…
The Unseen Architect of Our Family’s Balance
Sometimes I worry that we live in an era that asks too much of our children. They have to excel in school, navigate complex friendships, and now, become responsible digital citizens.
‘You make our home feel so incredibly solid and warm.’
You know, that simple sentence says everything.
But watching you, I understand the most important thing we can give them is balance. That ‘digital parenting balance’ isn’t just a buzzword for you. It’s in the small things: the ‘screen-free hour’ before bed, the weekend trips to the park.
These are quiet, deliberate choices of parents who want children to love the real world as much as glowing screens. Because you hold that center so firmly, the kids and I feel safe enough to explore our own worlds.
What bridges will you build tomorrow?