How can we change this parenting epidemic?

Dr Mary O'Kane shared this post yesterday and it made me stop and think. How many of us can relate to this?

I was just talking to my father-in-law the other day (who does NOT have a smart phone) about an observation I made one morning out running, where all the teenagers waiting for the school bus were head down on their phones with no face to face communication with each other. I thought 'how sad' as I remembered the chats I used to have with others at the bus stop when I was a teen. But then I had to check myself and remind myself that I am often guilty of this now too, not just at a bus stop, but with my own family!

When we do this, we leave ourselves with no time to day dream, to think, to learn from each other, to process information, to TALK and SOCIALISE with each other...we are consistently being stimulated and not in a healthy way. And even more so, this is the example we give our children...

As a mum, who uses social media and my phone for my business, I made a small conscious decision over a year ago, NOT to bring my phone into the kitchen in the morning when I am getting the children ready to school, as I found myself checking messages from the night before, checking the news etc. I see my children for an hour before they go to school. So I decided to give that hour solely to them and TBH it is so refreshing.

What small change can you make, or have you made, to be FULLY present with those you love? I would love to hear.

Have a great Monday.

Sharon

x

[Erika Cristakis via Dance with me in the Heart]

Can you relate?