> I've decided it's safer to just never judge, that parent you see pushing the toddler around in the cart might indeed be a terrible parent, or they might be going through grief and at their breaking point.

Agreed, I should have clarified that I'm speaking more about friends and family, people's whose situation can be spoken to directly.

I have friends with neurotypical kids who still hand the kids tablets at restaurants instead of actually teaching the kid how to take turns in a conversation, or how to actually go through a menu and order!

Like I get it, it is tiring, but we all signed for the work when we chose to have kids. (At least in my social circle where kids are very well planned for in advance).

Thanks for the clarification, I see where you are coming from and definitely agree it's a real problem.

I'm proud to say for myself that devices never leave the home now (and mine stays in my pocket except for explicit communication needs), and we are able to fully connect on road trips, dinners, and other outings. It's freeing, and I always tell the kids, that being device free means we will actually remember these moments.