Millennial Parents Attempt 9-Hour Flight With Toddler—No Screens Allowed – ryan

Two millennial parents completed their mission of keeping their toddler entertained during a 9-hour flight—without screens.

Luca and Lisa, from the U.K. and Guyana, posted a reel on Instagram (@luciolibero) to show the internet that it can be done.

“In our home, the TV only goes on when he’s asleep, and we have never handed him an iPad,” the couple, 42 and 29, told Newsweek. “This isn’t just a rule, it’s a conscious choice. We want his world to be filled with real experiences, hands on play and genuine engagement with the people around him.”

For the first two and a half hours of the flight from the U.K. to Barbados, Lucio was fast asleep. When he woke up—stirred by the scent of airplane food—he spent the next hour carefully examining the safety instructions. “Not sure what was so fascinating about it,” Lisa wrote on the text overlay.

The next few hours were filled with a variety of activities. The 2-year-old listened to audiobooks, stared out of the window at the clouds and spent a significant amount of time drawing and coloring. With an hour left of the flight, Lisa decided to braid his hair.

By raising their toddler completely screen-free from birth, Lisa and Luca didn’t have any concerns prior to the long-haul flight.

“We believe that travel is essential for growth and development for kids and adults alike,” Lisa said. “As parents, we are looking for ways to help pass time and make sure our kids are as comfortable as possible.”

While the screen-free approach requires more effort, the couple believe the rewards are worth it.

“His communication skills are incredibly strong; his vocabulary is advanced for his age, and he has an impressive ability to focus for long periods,” Luca said. “Watching him engage so deeply with the world around him only reassures us that this path is worth it.”

The reel, which has been viewed over 300,000 times, was met with positivity and praise from other internet users.

“Well done momma! This is beautiful,” one user wrote.

“Depending on screen time too much isn’t healthy. Love seeing the example being shown for other parents,” commented a second.

“Love to see it,” another added.

Many others were curious as to how the couple succeeded. “The truth is, it’s all about setting the tone early,” they said.

“Lucio has never been introduced to screens, so for him, entertainment comes from books, conversation, snacks, little games, and simply observing the world around him. We keep things engaging by rotating activities, taking little movement breaks, and making the journey part of the adventure. It’s not always effortless, but it’s completely doable.”