Before I start writing this post, I need to fully confess that I am writing this TO MYSELF. As a Mom, I have got to learn how to step away from my phone.
Technology. I have a love/ hate relationship with you. I love that you enable me to keep in touch with my family all over the world. I love that you allow me to watch my friend’s babies grow up when they live several states away. I love that you reconnect me with old high school friends and I am able to get a peek into their life decades later. But I dislike (we don’t use the “H” word in my house) that you distract me from my kids. You can make me feel less than, left out, or not good enough. I don’t like that you cause me to question my motherhood, my house, my LIFE. And yet, I cannot stand in the grocery line without popping online to stay IN THE LOOP with every single human I’ve ever been in contact with.
Last week my daughter woke up really early and wanted me to get up and turn on a movie for her. I was SO tired that I wanted to just snuggle in bed instead. She literally said “Mama…. You can look at your PHONE?!?!” As if that was BRIBERY enough to get me out of bed. At that moment I realized that not only am I guilty of being distracted during the day, but my 4 year old is going to observe and repeat my behavior. How can I expect my someday teenager to be present at the dinner table or have face to face conversations with me without looking at her phone… if her MOM doesn’t give her that same respect?
So this is what I am going to try and do. I am going to limit my phone time. Want to join me? We can do this by plugging our phones in the back bedroom. We may get really crazy and take the Social Media Apps off our phones. Maybe we simply turn it on “Do Not Disturb” mode for certain hours each day. Or maybe we throw it out the window altogether?!!? (J/K)
All I know is that last week was a wakeup call for me and I want to be more present with my kids. If we are at the doctor’s office, I will read a book to them instead of sticking my face into my phone. If we are at the park, I will engage and play WITH them. If I am waiting at gymnastics, I will watch my little girl perfect her cartwheel instead of picking the perfect filter for the picture I took of her last week. Why? Because we don’t get these moments back and frankly I care about MY PEOPLE more than Suzy Q and her kids (that I have never met) who I haven’t seen since 1994.
Let’s be there for OUR people. Mamas: Let’s STEP AWAY FROM OUR PHONES. Who is with me?
Yes! I have been thinking the same thoughts!!
Love this! I find myself doing and I surely do not want my son picking this habit up!
Yes!! I’m with you! I’ve started to feel a little guilty, and worry about my toddler picking up my habits. You said it all perfectly. Here’s to being more present and intentional with our time!
I love this! My husband and I have both been trying to limit our phone time as well. It’s a crazy distraction and it really does become a go to in small spurts of boredom. Thanks for sharing!
LOVE this!! You couldn’t be more right on.. I’ve had to do the same. When you feel like you have to be checking your phone 24/7 your kids notice this. We recently took our 9’year old sons Ipad completey away as he was changing into a different kid because of his games etc! So my husband and I had to make sure our son see’s us as an example not hypocritical by us still staying on our electronics 24/7
Great article! This is a great piece of advice. Put down your phone, switch off the TV and focus on your child. Ask open-ended questions of them and answer their questions to you thoughtfully and thoroughly. Show them that they are a priority in your life.