Let me tell you, I’m not exaggerating when I say my phone is practically glued to my hand. I rely on it for my job, to keep in touch with friends and family, and even for my side gig as a writer. It wasn’t until I found myself half-heartedly comforting my toddler, who was crying because his brother had upset him, that I realized I had a serious problem. Instead of fully engaging, I offered up a canned response while barely glancing at him.
“Mom, put that down and snuggle me!” my little one pleaded through tears.
That moment hit me like a ton of bricks. I slammed my phone down, scooped him up, and apologized. I was shocked at how I’d allowed myself to become so attached to my device that I was missing out on real moments with my kids.
My husband was thrilled when I declared I needed a digital detox—I decided to take a week-long break from my phone, social media, and the incessant pinging of notifications. I locked my phone in the glove compartment while at home. No buzzing, no texting; just me and my family.
I won’t sugarcoat it: the first day was a struggle. As the morning light filtered through the house, I felt an odd void without my phone in hand, itching to check for missed updates. But instead of scrolling, I ended up back in bed with my kids, reading stories and engaging in an epic tickle war that would go down in family history.
Suddenly, my children were all over me, and I realized I could actually engage in their world. I chased them around, shared silly stories from my own childhood, and even convinced them to help me bake cookies and create chalk masterpieces on the sidewalk. For once, I was the one driving them a little crazy instead of the other way around!
I discovered that while there are times I genuinely need my phone—like calling my partner to pick up some children’s Tylenol—the majority of the time, my phone usage was more of a want than a need. I also managed to cut my data plan in half, which was a pleasant bonus!
By the end of the week, it became clear just how much my phone had distracted me from being present with my children. They deserve my full attention, and I realized that giving them my undivided respect means actually listening to them with my eyes and heart.
Now, don’t get me wrong—phones aren’t the enemy, and scrolling through social media isn’t inherently bad. I still indulge in that from time to time. But for me and, more importantly, for my kids, it’s become crucial to find that balance between what I need and what I want. I’m working on mastering the art of moderation.
If you’re curious about this journey, you might find it helpful to check out a few other resources on home insemination and pregnancy, such as March of Dimes for valuable insights. For those exploring family expansion, Make a Mom is an excellent authority on home insemination kits.
In summary, it’s all about finding that sweet spot between being a devoted parent and managing our digital lives.