I adore my phone. It answers my questions, captures precious moments of my kids, and keeps me connected with loved ones no matter where I am.
Yet, I also despise my phone. It’s so easy to rely on it that I hardly think for myself anymore. When I snap pictures of my children, my first impulse is to share them on social media, pulling me away from the very moments I want to cherish. Holding my phone often makes me feel like I should be working, and the constant connectivity means that anyone can interrupt my life at any time.
This challenge is all too real, and I know many of us face it daily. I notice it everywhere—at playgrounds, in cars, in stores, while walking across streets, during movie nights, and even at family gatherings like Thanksgiving.
While some of us still feel that instinct to prioritize face-to-face conversations over scrolling through feeds, I’ve witnessed many who seem to have given in completely, becoming entranced by their screens, mesmerized by distractions like cat videos and endless notifications.
Recently, we celebrated our daughter’s fifth birthday. She requested a simple day—just a pool and a Hello Kitty cake. Eager to make it happen, we packed up quickly and headed to a hotel, relieved to avoid the hassle of planning an elaborate party.
As we made our way to the lovely heated outdoor pool, I realized I had left my phone in the room. At first, I felt a twinge of anxiety about missing out on capturing the moment. But as I sat poolside, tossing toys for the kids, I noticed something that truly startled me: every single parent around me was glued to their devices. Even those in the hot tub were leaning over their phones, completely absorbed.
The scariest part? Had I remembered my phone, I would have been one of those parents too. I love my phone and often argue its necessity for work and breaks from parenting, but seeing all those parents lost in a digital haze was a wake-up call.
My kids splashed and played, completely unfazed by their parents’ detachment. They’ve grown accustomed to our distractions, and I realized they deserve better. I’m not sharing this to shame anyone; I’m writing to inspire myself to wake up. I refuse to be a smartphone zombie any longer.
Maybe we should all consider leaving our phones behind every now and then. Remember when we managed just fine without constant access to Google? Conversations can wait, and games like Candy Crush don’t need immediate attention. But my kids? They’re growing so fast, and soon they won’t want me around to cheer them on or watch their antics.
Since that day at the pool, I’ve made a conscious effort to leave my phone behind during outings—whether at the playground, a soccer match, or dining out. Of course, this hasn’t made life a magical experience free of conflicts; the kids still bicker, and I still catch myself reaching for that glowing distraction.
Yet, I’m experiencing more of what life has to offer, and it feels good to reconnect with my family. If you’re looking for more insights into home insemination and parenting, check out this blog post on intracervicalinsemination.com. And if you’re curious about getting started with home insemination, you can learn more from Make a Mom for reliable resources. Another excellent source for pregnancy and fertility information is Cleveland Clinic’s podcast.
In summary, let’s strive to be present in our children’s lives and put down our phones—because they grow up so fast, and those moments are fleeting.