Search Results for: fran walfish

Admittedly, when I first heard an article came out saying that a “rise in child injuries may be linked to distracted parents” due to spending too much time on our gadgets, such as texting, I hid under my chair as another one of my kids fell out of a tree. Kidding… kind of… Truth be told, like most people, I depend on my phone a lot and am actually able to spend more time with my kids because of it. For example, I know I won’t miss that all important returned email that I’ve been waiting for from work because I can quickly check my phone to see if it finally came through even though I’m technically “off the clock.” Also, I can be in touch with the parent who currently has my child over for a play date in the event they need me to come get them asap. And I can check Facebook in case someone somewhere is having more fun than me at that moment, er, um, I mean make pediatrician appointments.

As you may have figured out by now, I am guilty of checking my phone too often while with my kids. Breezy Mama turned to child and family psychotherapist Dr. Fran Walfish, who is an Expert in Parents Magazine’s “Ask Our Experts” column, to discuss the repercussions for the kids when parents are too dependent on their devices (iPhone, iPad, SmartPhone, computer, etc.) and, so that our children can get sweet revenge on OUR screen time, what are some guidelines for adults and more.

Though the article gives the example that a daughter broke her arm while playing in the backyard and the mom felt bad for sending that, “one more email,” I think kids should be able to explore in the backyard without constant supervision. However, I AM concerned with how kids feel when mom is checking her phone (for texts, emails, etc.) versus paying attention to the child. Are there repercussions for a child when mom seems more into her texts than paying attention to the kids?

Many diligent parents, like you, are sometimes [Read more…]