to my new gen parents who raised their kids without an ipad, how was it?

hi! I'm new to this sub and parenting, as im expecting my first child in november. I have always stood very firm on the idea that when I have a kid, I will do anything to avoid using YouTube as a constant way to keep them entertained. I have nothing against entertainment that involves a screen as long as it's in moderation, but I do have my concerns about the lazy fast paced video format a lot of kids youtube channels (cocomelon, blippy, etc.) have been using for quite a few years now and how that could potentially impact a kids development. I am also diagnosed with ASD and ADHD, so if my child is born with the same developmental conditions as me, I don't want the media they're consuming to push them even further back in their development.

now, I'm making this post because despite my firm beliefs on this, I was on the phone with my mom telling her about this plan and she laughed her ass off. she has 3 children including me and ran a very successful at home daycare most of my life, so about 25+ years experience with this. she said that in theory, it obviously sounds like the perfect plan, but that when I want time alone constantly I'll feel differently. she told me that in this generation, raising a kid the "old school" way without electronics in their face is basically unavoidable. she didn't elaborate much further except for saying "it was just different when you were a kid".

I have no experience with parenting other than helping with other people's kids, so, if you were able to raise your toddlers without relying on an ipad, how was it? what should I expect? will TV keep them entertained enough if they see that other kids have ipads? I have so many questions!