By Laura Johnstone
This morning, something really beautiful happened in our home. It wasn’t a big milestone or a fancy outing — just a quiet, simple moment that felt like a real parenting win.
For her birthday, Amelia received a Toniebox. At first, she was a bit unsure about it. We’d tried a couple of characters — We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, The Gruffalo — but she didn’t connect with them straight away. She’d only heard those stories in our voices, so it probably didn’t feel familiar or exciting to her.
But then yesterday, something shifted. A late birthday present arrived from her great uncle — a Tonie from In the Night Garden. I decided to pop it on while we were having snacks, mostly just to keep the telly off. And to my surprise, she lit up the moment she heard that familiar voice. She was engaged, smiling, and really listening. It was the first time I’d seen her connect with her Toniebox in that way.
Fast forward to this morning. It’s 7:20am. I’m sat on the floor with her on my lap. She’s got her drink, her Play-Doh, and instead of reaching for the remote or asking for the TV, she goes straight over to her Toniebox and puts on In the Night Garden all by herself. No prompting, no fuss — just a calm, screen-free start to the day.
It might sound like such a small thing, but it meant the world. We were able to ease into the morning gently, cuddled up, listening to something familiar and soothing while she played. And in that moment, I felt proud — proud that we’re creating space for these calmer, more connected starts to the day.
Parenting is full of moments like this — little shifts that don’t always look like much from the outside but mean everything when you’re in them. Especially when you’re neurodivergent yourself or raising a child who is, these wins matter. Screens can be helpful tools, but it’s lovely to see when other forms of play and comfort begin to take the lead.
We’re not anti-TV — not by a long shot. But I’ll treasure this little change in routine. It reminded me that our children are always evolving. Sometimes, all it takes is the right story, at the right time, in a voice they trust.
Thinking of trying a Toniebox?
If you’ve been curious about whether a Toniebox might be a good fit for your family, this might be the perfect time.
Use this link and save £15 when you buy your first Toniebox:
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Have you had a small parenting win lately? I’d love to hear about it. These moments deserve celebrating — they’re what build our everyday joy.
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References / Useful Links
National Literacy Trust. (2023). The power of storytelling for early childhood development NHS. (2022). Tips for managing screen time in young children
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