coming soon to stores near you

(If they haven’t already arrived, that is…)

Strollers complete with DVD players and/or slots for your toddler’s iPad:

Stroller with DVD player

I did a double take when I saw this at the starting line of today’s Capitol 10K. At first I was disgusted. Isn’t there plenty for a child in a jog stroller to see, especially in the midst of this crazy race in which people wear crazy costumes?

Then I step back and remind myself that I don’t know this family. Should I be judging them? For some personal reason, maybe this is the only way that this working mom can get out and do something good for herself. I hope people didn’t judge me so harshly as I pushed my six-year old around in a stroller. Buying that stroller for our year in DC enabled ME to enjoy being in the city. And while Chloe still does claim to be “tired” when walking, she is slowly learning how to embrace a new attitude towards walking places.

On the other hand, what is happening to our culture that we need to entertain kids every second? And what will this mean for them as they grow into adults? I hope that one lesson I am teaching my kids is how to deal with their own boredom. To embrace the quiet time to reflect and let their minds flow. To come up with interesting projects to not just fill the time but that might lead to something else, like Camille’s knitting has led to her new Etsy shop.