Hey ,

I need to tell you something that might surprise you.

Last week, I was scrolling through early childhood education forums, and I stumbled across a conversation that made my heart sink. Dozens of childcare providers were sharing their experiences with screen time in their classrooms.

Here's what they said:

"I don't care if I'm downvoted, TV in daycare is EXTREMELY lazy."

"I have 12 toddlers every day but we have managed for years with zero screen time."

"I would be pissed if I found out my daycare used screen time."

But then, buried in the same thread, I found this:

"When you have a 6 to 1 ratio and you have to change diapers, your hands are tied! It's hard. I've had times where it was a choice between 10 minutes of tv time peacefully while I change diapers, or 10 minutes of toys and the kids fighting with each other."

And this:

"I will admit I play videos for the kids... We have a letter of the week and will put on a video or two during transition times."

Reading these comments, I realized something profound: We're having two completely different conversations about screen time in childcare.

There's the ideal conversation (zero screens, ever, period) and there's the reality conversation (sometimes you're alone with 8 toddlers and someone has a meltdown during pickup).

Here's the thing: I've been in both conversations. I've been the caregiver who said "never screens" and I've also been the one who quietly put on a video because I literally had no other choice.

And you know what? Both versions of me were doing the best she could with what she had.

The reality is this: we're living in a childcare crisis. You're understaffed, overwhelmed, and doing the impossible every single day. The last thing you need is judgment about the tools you use to keep children safe and your sanity intact.

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What if instead of judgment, we offered something different?

What if we created emergency screen time that actually supported development instead of just occupied time?

What if we built something that gave you permission to use technology responsibly when you have no other choice?

I'm working on something that might help. But first, I want to hear from you.

Hit reply and tell me: What's your biggest transition challenge? When do you feel most overwhelmed in your day?

No judgment. Just one childcare professional to another.

—

Taking care of you,

Sierra

P.S. Don't forget to enter our Self-Care for Childcare giveaway if you haven't already. You deserve those gift cards and that self-care basket more than you know.