The One CHANGE That CHANGED Everything…
About six weeks ago, we made the decision to take away our 10yr old’s iPad — for good. Why? It had become the center of her world.
If you’re wondering how this happened, here’s some context: she’s a Kindergarten Covid Baby, and with two working parents, the iPad was a convenient tool. But over time, it became too much.
The first two weeks without the iPad? Honestly, they were horrible. Tantrums, boredom, and lots of “what do I do now?”
But by week 4, we saw a spark of her old self. Her personality began to shine again. By week 5, the Barbies came out, and cardboard doctor's offices were being created in our living room.
By week 6, she looked me in the eyes and said, “Mom, thank you for taking the iPad away. I’m so much happier now.” Also, she put together her barbie dream house with absolutely no assistance from us!
Let me pause to say this: you should NOT feel like you need to take your child’s iPad away unless it feels right for you and your family. For us, it wasn’t working anymore, and that’s why we made the change.
This shift didn’t just affect her — it’s rippled into our whole family. We’ve started taking a deeper look at our health practices.
Last week, we went to Whole Foods as a family, walking the aisles and reading ingredient labels. We talked about gluten, red dyes, and how small changes can make a big difference.
Six months ago, Mark and I decided to give up alcohol. For us, it wasn’t working. I’m not saying everyone should do this, but it’s been a game-changer for us.
We’ve started having meaningful conversations about metabolic health, sleep, and emotional regulation, all of which feel more important than ever.
I don’t think we would have reached this point if we hadn’t faced the challenge of removing our daughter’s biggest dopamine source. It forced us to reevaluate what truly matters in our home.
This year, I’m committed to making the extra effort to prioritize our health. We don’t know what the future holds, but one thing feels clear: prevention is powerful.
Thank you for letting me share this journey. If you’re making tough changes for your health or your family’s, know that you’re not alone — and it’s worth it.
Sending you so much love in 2025!
Xoxo
Ali