give her an ipad and a pair of earbuds
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Have her sit on your shoulders and start running around crazy or jumping when there’s a touchdown or just do it regardless.
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Another good topic!
Will using a tablet rot a child’s brain?
Is there a difference between watching kid’s cartoons on the TV vs on the Tablet?
Tv is not mobile so if they need to do something, they stop watching.
They’ll bring a tablet in to the bathroom to go pee with it.
TVs are also far less immersive and generally arent building an algorithm to addict it’s user to it.
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Damn! Valid points.
I have seen the tablet go into the bathroom recently. That’s probably an easy one to focus on a Good thing to put a stop to.
Thanks!
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I’ve had good luck with my daughter (6) on YouTube kids. I don’t think it’s algorithm based (if it is, it’s not nearly as bad as regular YouTube) and as far as I can tell she is half way to an entomology degree with a minor of sea animals and jungle habitats
She’s not on it all day, but the time she is on seems somewhat educational at least
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Other problem is that with tablets kids look stuff like YT kids, with lot of commercials and fast paced entertainment. There’s also bunch of AI made BS these days. Not everything is shit, but my kids seem to find the worst stuff from there.
My kids are already school aged, so it’s easier, but we often give them no other options than watch a proper movie or series from TV. It’s still screen time, but it’s not brainrotting slop from the internet.
I also like how there’s clear boundaries then. Movie starts and it ends, then on to something else.
They’re also old enough that sometimes me and my wife watch movies with them. It’s a good way to spend time together and discuss about the show, even if the movie would be something I would never watch alone. It’s a whole different experience for kids then, compared to being on the tablet alone.
I feel than teaching restraint and ability to control impulses for seeking immediate/constant enjoyment from phones/tablets is one of the most important things I can teach to them.
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This ties to the topic too, for the ones who have sligthly older (school aged) children already.
How you are reinforcing the active lifestyle to your children? What are the best methods you’ve found to get them interested in physical activities?
I can promise you it is.
Thats their future profit they’re training right there.
No shorts. Limited long format videos.
My suggestion, anyways.
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Perhaps my kids are unique but I generally find kids just like doing active stuff. Its not a tough sell
“Want to go to a playground?” or “want to go to the zoo?” are generally always met with really high enthusiasm. The onus is on ME to initiate it though. If a parent takes no initiative and provides no opportunity for activity, of course a tablet is going to be the fun thing to do if you have 8 hours to kill at home every day.
Even non screen “activity” is usually received very well. My 9 year old kid got into a movie series last year and he enjoys making crafty things at home, so we go to the store and buy some blank white shirts for $3 and chop up some old amazon boxes and voila, he just killed 6 hours and made a costume with a mask and swords and a shield with his hands.
My 6 year old will run through a whole ream of paper if you give her some crayons/paint brushes/markers just creating things out of her head and then using those cut outs to make little stories out of. Would she do it alone? Maybe, but if I join in and make up stories with her and draw some of my own silly characters (this unicorn can shoot fire out of its horn! type stuff) we can do it for an hour or two no problem
Which is to say, the adult has the be the one to initiate/foster/encourage. Present the activity and kids usually want to do it. Be observant and find out the things they like to do and offer them up and they will really lean into it.
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I’m suggesting that if you move beyond surface level tit for tat and become the man she needs you won’t have to worry about any of it.
And the man the she needs is a traditionally masculine male, without the bullshit “manosphere” chest pounding and victimhood mentality. This shit comes off weak and begets its own response. Just learn how to be the strong presence she can become a “storm in a teacup” inside of. You’ll end up in charge, in a meaningful way.
I have similar experiences. It was easier when they were younger though, play is a excellent motivator. Best things I’ve ever bought was a huge ass trampoline to our back yard. It has had tens of thousands of jumps during the years.
We also make them go with bikes to school, since it’s possible here. So there’s some basic activity for them. Family hikes and walks work too.
The problem is that I would like to get them interested in something that really sucks them in. I’ve taken them to the gym sometimes, but they are a bit too young for that. They do work out a little, but it has been more about showing the example I guess.
We are trying different hobbies, and not quitting them immediately either, even if it’s not their thing, but specially the older one seems to be harder to motivate to move.
Clean eating
Both parents caring about their looks
Sports (gymnastics / horseback for my daughter)
Reinforcing that looks matter for us, and for her (this is probably harder for boys)
When dad is active, kids are active.
Dads typically set household expectations.
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Tough one there… My kid got interested in my weight lifting and started doing some band assisted pullups and dips with me before it got too hot (it gets to 120 out where Im at and i workout in the garage), and we even did a few weighted backpack walks! He liked it really, we will pick them back up in a few months I bet when it isnt 100 by 10am
But as for getting them sucked it… thats just gotta happen on its own I think. My parents tried to get me into soccer and I haaaaated it. Absolutely hated it.
I didnt start weight training until after high school and Im 25 years deep into that now… So maybe they wont find that thing until they are adults
Just gotta hope the example we set eventually materializes in them too. They ARE our kids so whatever is in us should be in them to some capacity
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Sounds similar. We haven’t really talked about looks, but we bring up the health perspective, which is partly the same thing.
I just kind of need to trust they’ll find something they really want to do. As kids get older the daily activity seems to drop and then you kinda need something more goal based to make up for that.
It seems that with teenagers/young adults the division grows. You’re either in some sport or way out of shape. The general life activity has dropped so drastically. There’s data from my country that almost 40% of 15 year olds can’t jump properly. That’s insane.
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I think you need to push them to find a sport or some form of physical activity they like.
Doesnt matter what, but it has to be something.
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Yeah. There’s always hope. I was kinda of a loser during my teenage years. Mostly spent time getting drunk/high and getting laid.
After I went military and to uni. I started really get in to physical and mental self development. And it really started in my early twenties. I was closer to 30 when I first started strength training.
So maybe it will turn okay. At least they’re still active. Other is doing gymnastics and other is currently in to riding.
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Wow, sounds horrible 
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Definitely. And they need to try it for a while. Because everything will feel unintresting at times.
Not going to force them to anything, but they need to invest some time to new hobby/activity before tossing it away.
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Hahah. It was fun to a point, but I could have had at least some ambitions back then.
I surely hope my kids won’t try the same route.