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We’re Raising An 80’s Baby In 2021

Leslie Crews
6 min readMay 9, 2021

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Photo by Eric Nopanen on Unsplash

Our children will be raised on vinyl records, VHS tapes, books, photo albums, and LEGOs. This is the decision my husband and I made for our family.

My daughter won’t know what the internet is until she’s older. She wont have an iPad, or any other tablet. I don’t want her to grow up relying on something she has to perpetually upgrade, lest it not work. When I say this to other parents, I’m generally met with skepticism followed by, “You say that now. Just wait.”

I’m encouraged not to commit to this idea so soon, since our daughter is only a few months old. I’m told that the tablet is a lifesaver and will be a peace keeper when she gets to the age where tantrums are abundant and patience are thin.

Don’t get me wrong. I know the tablet is the best babysitter money can buy. I see its magical powers in action every time I go grocery shopping or when sitting at a red light next to a minivan.

What these well meaning seasoned parents don’t understand, is that I’d rather my child have a massive melt down in the middle of the grocery store than to give her a tablet. Oh, and to know that her tantrum will be addressed when we get home.

She will be raised the way her father and I was raised; with books, sticks, and an imagination. I’m dead serious.

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Leslie Crews
Leslie Crews

Written by Leslie Crews

Woman in Tech. Analog Momma. Your Friend in Cybersecurity. www.youtube.com/@yourfriendincyber

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