‘Loadshedding’ and ‘helpful’ in the same sentence? Local parents shared how ‘lights out’ gave them the ultimate parenting hack, and anyone with a restless child will understand.
South Africa (20 July, 2023) — It’s not often that we see ‘loadshedding’ and ‘helpful’ in the same sentence. At least, not in direct relation to one another. However, local parents have found the silver lining to a lifestyle led by loadshedding, and the result is the ultimate parenting hack.
Taking to South African Reddit, user u/ToastCPT started a conversation. ‘Loadshedding has helped me parent,’ they began, and all ears immediately perked up.
Despite having an inverter, this user explained that they step into Eskom’s shoes and take on the role of enforcing ‘lights out’ to combat temper tantrums before bed. Switching off the TV and turning off the lights secretly, this parent blames the dark on loadshedding so that their toddlers have no choice but to go to bed.
Diabolical? A mastermind? Soon other parents confessed that they do the same thing.
“I confess. I use this method without shame,” wrote another parent.
“I’ve always wondered what it’s like for kids growing up and thinking that load shedding is normal. Now I know,” another laughed.
Another user shared that in their house, lights and devices off help their toddler accept bedtime because of the lack of stimulation and FOMO.
Another day, another way 21st-century parents in South Africa are life-hacking their way through the system hilariously.
by 