This past weekend, I was sitting at the nail salon getting my nails done. A mother of three little girls came in. Two were old enough to walk and one was still in a stroller, but old enough to talk a little bit. As the mom was getting her nails done, the one in the stroller started getting fussy. Instead of talking to her, the mom handed her a phone. Then, a few minutes later the crying started again.
This was upsetting. Instead of taking the time to talk to her child and see what was wrong, she gave her a phone to shut her up. It could have been as easy as asking her if she needs to go to the bathroom or if she is thirsty. If you have time to get your nails done, you have time to talk to your child.
I loved technology as a child. I loved playing games on my Gameboy and Nintendo DS. Then, iPods and iPhones came soon after. Not once did my mom give me any type of technology to shut me up. If I cried or started acting fussy, my parents would talk to me and ask me what's up. Not only did my parents find out what was bugging me, but it also helped me learn to communicate how I was feeling.
Technology can definitely be used in a good way for children. There are numerous apps that help children learn. Even I have used apps for school and learning purposes. Even though these apps are a great way for kids to learn, this shouldn't replace face to face learning that parents can do. When I was growing up, I knew how to read, write, and draw before I was in kindergarten. This was all thanks to my parents who took the time to teach me and spend quality time with me.
According to a study done in 2013, 58% of parents said they use technology as a "babysitter". Some parents said they use it so their kids don't get bored during family functions or outings. When I was younger, I had to socialize with people during those times and I think it helped me in the long run.
Along with giving their kids phones to keep them occupied, I've seen more and more parents get distracted by their own phone and ignore their child. Everyone is guilty of getting lost in social media or whatever they're doing on their phone. It's sad to go out and see parents glued to their phone at restaurants while their child sits there wanting attention.
Overall, I feel that it is poor parenting if you are continuously using technology as a "babysitter" for your children. Spending quality time with your child is essential for their growth. It builds their communication skills, strengthens your bond with them, and will help them build self-esteem. So put down the phone or tablet, and spend some time with your child.
