Why can’t people mind their own business? Especially when they don’t know…

[Anonymous]

I too abhor seeing children with smartphones.

I am sure I am not the only one who has had to scream to someone's zombie kid that a car was approaching. When that happens with an adult, i just chuckle.

Just explain there is a medical situation, OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I too abhor seeing children with smartphones.

I am sure I am not the only one who has had to scream to someone's zombie kid that a car was approaching. When that happens with an adult, i just chuckle.

Just explain there is a medical situation, OP.

Ok but it doesn’t sound like OP’s child was in danger of getting hit by a car. And honestly, even if the kid had her head buried in a SpongeBob cartoon, it wasn’t that woman’s place to say anything. I don’t allow my kids to have their own phones or use screens places like playgrounds, restaurants, etc. but I don’t take it upon myself to scold “zombie” kids. Just like we learned from this post, we don’t know what is going on with a family, and it’s not our business.

Your smugness is unattractive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:While I'm sorry your kid had to deal with that, this is what all the folks that scream and scream about their expectation of having a "village" sign up for. The village might not always be to your exact liking and specifications.

Yeah no… it is very possible to be supportive without being instantly judgmental. To ask questions instead of jumping to conclusions. I’m sorry you have so little EQ that you don’t know that.

To the OP - I wouldn’t bother justifying to a stranger. Or giving out your daughter’s medical info. Just say “there is a reason for it, which is not your concern.”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The difference of “it takes a village” 40 years ago vs. now is that 40+ years ago, cranky old Mrs. Crabapple down the street would have complained about your kid being on their Atari or watching TV, but she ALSO would have brought over fresh tomatoes and zucchini from her garden. She would have complained at mom/dad for both having full time jobs but she also would have come over to watch the kids for an hour or two in a pinch. It’s not just criticism, it’s also help.

I think the difference is you knew Mrs. crabapple and were choosing to include her in your village. It wasn’t some stranger busybody taking it upon themselves to lecture you or your kid on whatever child rearing philosophy they happen to hold.

Agree with both of these comments. And when Mrs. Crabapple sprains something, you help her out too. You accept each other, complaints and all. It’s an actual relationship not a hit-and-run.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The difference of “it takes a village” 40 years ago vs. now is that 40+ years ago, cranky old Mrs. Crabapple down the street would have complained about your kid being on their Atari or watching TV, but she ALSO would have brought over fresh tomatoes and zucchini from her garden. She would have complained at mom/dad for both having full time jobs but she also would have come over to watch the kids for an hour or two in a pinch. It’s not just criticism, it’s also help.

I think the difference is you knew Mrs. crabapple and were choosing to include her in your village. It wasn’t some stranger busybody taking it upon themselves to lecture you or your kid on whatever child rearing philosophy they happen to hold.

Agree with both of these comments. And when Mrs. Crabapple sprains something, you help her out too. You accept each other, complaints and all. It’s an actual relationship not a hit-and-run.

That too! My dad took our cranky old neighbor to the hospital when she had a medical problem and her adult kids wouldn’t arrive in time. She yelled at us kids (and adults … my parents were young enough to be her grandkids!) a lot but also looked out for everyone and told my mom all the neighborhood gossip.

[Anonymous]

Zombie kids are created by lazy parents. I have actually seen parents give smartphones to toddlers to "keep them occupied." The "zombiness" and literal addiction starts early.

[Anonymous]

That's an old child. They can be on their phones. Parents are too. Sometimes you need to relax.
Not everything has to be controlling. We are not fking robots!
Yes, some people should mind their own business. I'm sure they all have bad qualities and are hiding it.

My kids hasld screen time and they turn out fine. Lol. School is great

[Anonymous]

Yes 7 years old can have screen time. OP's child is fine. Many people and children uses online, screen time, videogames for kids for their disability, etc. Elders are playing videogames with joystick and doing exercises with videogames too. It helps for their alzeimer

[Anonymous]

And memory

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:…what they’re talking about.

This happened yesterday but I’m still upset.

Entire family went to the park to play. DD7 has type 1 diabetes and has since she was 4. She has a Dexcom on her belly that is not visible unless she’s wearing a thin shirt. The information is connected to my iPhone and an old iPhone that DD keeps with her so she can check her numbers. We decided this was the best route as we continue to teach her how to independently care for herself and her diabetes. Of course I also have access to this information and am always on top of this but our dietician/diabetes educator was the one who suggested this set-up for her particular age range and it works great.

She does have a few games on the iPhone but otherwise a lot is disabled. She knows how she is suppose to use it and we haven’t had any issues with improper or over use.

She had just had a snack at the picnic table and then went to go play. She went and pulled out the phone (in jacket pocket) to check her numbers as she’s suppose to do before and after snacks to get her into the habit. Her diabetes have always been particularly hard to manage so we have to do a lot of extra checks, even with the device.

I noticed a middle aged woman with a toddler came up to her and said something. DD looked upset and came up to me and started crying. She told me the lady told her that she needed to “get off her phone and enjoy the weather” then complained about parents giving kids phones. I comforted DD (who yes, is pretty sensitive. Especially when scolded or corrected my adults. I told her to go play and ignore the woman. I was pretty pissed. But knew there was a chance that DD misinterpreted what she said or that her tone was different.

But I went to push my youngest on the swings next to her and her child/grandchild and she turned to me, pointed to DD and asked, “is she yours?” I said yes and then she got on to me about letting my kid have a phone.

“I know parents these days are all about the electronics but it’s a real shame when I see such a young child with a phone. It’s terrible for their development.”

I kind of just stared. I am so angry at myself because I should have been nasty back and told her where she could go but instead I just said, “that’s how she tracks her blood sugar” in a sheepish voice.

She didn’t seem to respond at all. Just kept pushing her kid.

I’m half angry at myself for not standing up for DD more. I’ve just never had an experience like this and now I’m reeling.

Now you know where your daughter gets her sensitivity to comments from others. I can't imagine writing a novella about something like this. Either shrug it off or respond to the woman.