Trying to be an Analog Mom in a Digital World
Being a mom in today’s world often feels like living in two different realities. On one hand, there’s the fast-paced, hyper-connected digital age, where screens dominate and convenience rules. On the other, there’s the deep, grounding pull of nature, creativity, and simplicity—the analog world I want my daughter to grow up knowing. Trying to be an "analog mom" in these times feels like swimming upstream, and yet it’s something I hold onto with all my heart.
For me, being an analog mom is about choosing connection over convenienceas much as I can. It’s sitting under the redwoods with my daughter, watching her hop in little circles and sing her favorite songs like Frère Jacques and Twinkle Twinkle. It’s handing her crayons and paper instead of a tablet, or throwing on so, many, layers for a play day at an outdoor school instead of rushing through drive-thrus and errands. These moments feel sacred, yet I often wonder: am I doing enough? Am I giving her the tools she’ll need to thrive in a world that seems designed to pull her away from this quiet joy?
The truth is, trying to raise a child with an emphasis on hands-on, imaginative play and outdoor exploration is hard. It’s especially hard as a single parent with limited time, resources, and energy (who is also in college). There are days when I feel crushed under the weight of my to-do list, when a screen feels like the easiest way to get a moment of quiet. But I also know the kind of mom I want to be: one who shows her that joy doesn’t come from convenience, but from discovery, creativity, and connection.
What’s hardest about being an analog mom isn’t just the effort—it’s the loneliness. So much of modern parenting feels isolating, like you’re constantly battling against what’s “normal” now. Other parents might rely on screens to calm tantrums or keep kids entertained, while I try to encourage storytelling, singing, or simply being bored. I don’t say this to judge—every parent is doing their best—but sometimes, I feel like the odd one out. It’s exhausting to push back against the tide of a digital-first world, especially when I’m already running on fumes.
Still, there’s beauty in this choice. There’s beauty in the way my daughter holds my hand when she’s tired or watches the trees swaying in the breeze. There’s magic in the moments when she invents her own games or explores the natural world with wide-eyed wonder.
Being an analog mom doesn’t mean rejecting the digital world entirely—it means finding balance. It’s about showing my daughter that technology is a tool, not a replacement for the richness of real life. It’s about teaching her to love the sound of birdsong as much as the latest episode of Peppa Pig, and to value experiences over instant gratification.
On our best days, we spot deer in the redwoods and stand quietly together to marvel at their beauty. On the drives home, I guide us safely over Highway 17, hoping that her nap dreams are full of woodland creatures.
