Technology ruins childhood nowadays.

As much as I don't wish Manfred to grow up with a iPad in his hands, somehow he has really grew to depend on iPad and iPhone to keep him entertained. Given a choice between the screen and his toys, without a doubt, he would snatch the phone away. Well, obvious choice, of course.

I know its bad for a growing toddler, both physically (the eyes) and mentally (the mind). Alright, maybe its not too bad yet, for Manfred, as i wont say he is addicted but you just don't want to show him the phone in front of him. So even if I have to make a phone call or text someone, I have to do it very discreetly. Once the phone is within his sight, he is gonna scream for it. And most of the times I stand firm, through his wails.

He still touches the books that I bought for him, though not as enthu as the phone, but I take that as a form of consolation. He still plays with his cars and cooking toys here and there. As I dont really spend the whole day with him, when we reach home every night, it'd be 9 plus already. We will clean him, change him into his PJs, milk for supper (while he watches BaBa - minion mini movies on youtube), and some cuddling before he said "nite-nite" and off he wanders into his bed room. And yes in case you're wondering, one adult has to be inside with him. No need for patting or lullabies, but he just want somebody to be there in the room with him, with lights off.

So back to the iPad issue, i'm trying to find alternatives. Like, would a Furby Boom attract him as much as the iPad? I find the Furby quite interactive too. We even got him a leapfrog toddler laptop that teaches alphabets and songs, and nope, other than the open and close of the laptop, nothing arouses him much. Sigh. His dad bought him legos, nope, he only collects and pours contents out from the box. That's it.

I can see that he is very keen to learn, like A-B-Cs, 1-2-3... so i'm looking into this. Maybe more books? I don't know for sure, afterall, he is only a 19 month toddler, and who is gonna be a big brother soon in May.

Maybe its still not too late to mould this baby boy. Just keep iPad out of his sight, and slowly he wont ask from us? I know its unavoidable to pass that temptation when we're baby sitting him one whole day - like his babysitter. Coz we can't tend to him 12 hours straight, like we cant really sit there and play toys or read books to him 12 hours straight right?

Im still finding solutions and alternatives. Especially during dinners outside, the iPad is really a saviour when we just want a quiet dinner. Just throw him the iPad and we are in a world of our own. :) (of coz sometimes he will throw the iPad away when he cant find something he wants on that apple machine)