My partner and I have a different approach to screen time (we also differ in other ways like how much independence to give two year old but that’s maybe another thread.)
dp is a loving dad with a demanding full time job. I work three week days plus every other weekend. Our two year old is lovely but like many two year olds, a lot. He has boundless energy, has been seen by SALT and annoyingly dismissed as not warranting treatment unless things remain the same in six months. He’s a lovely I inquisitive exploring little boy.
Dp spends a lot of his time with him cuddling him in front of a screen as he is on his own computer and begging him to not try to escape. When we go out for a meal he likes to put him in the pram with the phone in front of him, which does control his behaviour but I don’t feel he’s really learning anything.
Just on our way back from holiday and on mornings when it was ‘my turn’ I’d take him to the swimming pool. When Dps turn he’d put the tv one. It was interesting that he sat down and ate his breakfast at the buffet after the swimming days and ran everywhere shrieking until strapped in pram on tv days. It kind of bares out what I’ve been feeling for a long time.
Lots of people comment on how hyperactive and non stop he is. Dp says he enjoys cuddling him in front of a screen and it is bonding and what works for our family. They do go to playground etc together too but there is a lot of holding him still in front of a screen. I totally disagree but every time I raise it we have a fight. I guess I could have done every morning on holiday and maybe should I future but then I would be taking away their ‘downtime.’