Being in the Moment

The world today as we know it has become a digital world.  Everything from getting our news and weather updates, to streaming videos and live music, paying our bills, and even socially interacting with family and friends has revolved around the internet.  Aside from tablets and laptops, I believe smartphones are the most popular among moms for accessing the web.  

I know for myself I don't own a tablet or a laptop, so I am constantly using my smartphone for various things.  This may not always be a good thing, especially when you are trying to parent small children.  According to research, there has become a new classification for moms who use social media on their smart phones:  the distracted parent.  Cell phones are distancing parents from their children who are right in front of them.  They are taking the parent's attention away from the child creating unsafe supervision, social interaction, communication, and emotional bonding.

It's hard to see the effects it may have on your child when you get an alert on your cell phone and you take a moment to check it and respond to whatever it may be.  It only takes a second for an accident, and only takes a couple minutes for your child to feel as if you are ignoring them or not giving them your undivided attention.

What message are we sending our kids? That the things on our phones are more important than they are?  It occurred to me that I'd much rather be in the moment and enjoy my children than staring down at a small screen being distracted from life.