I couldn't help but notice on numerous occasions on the weekend, parents out with their children enjoying the beautiful weather. What was most startling about this was that all the parents were on their phones or a digital device while they were with their children.
One father was pushing his child on a swing with one hand, while the other hand was holding a phone which he was actively using. The child was asking his father a question and the dad was completely ignoring him. Then about 5 minutes later I witnessed a couple with two young preschoolers who were running along and both parents were looking at their phones. These were only a couple of examples of the many I witnessed.
It is great to see parents out and about with their children enjoying the sun and getting them out of the house, but make that time more beneficial for the children by engaging with them as well. I am sure that whatever is taking your attention on the phone will keep for a few hours while you are out, so you can enjoy your children.
Engage with them by talking about what they can see and are doing. Support their play by introducing different things and different ways of doing things. Allow them freedom to explore and most importantly, have fun with them.
A challenge is for you as the parent to put your phone down for a while, so your child can delight in your company, and you can ensure that the relationship with them remains positive.
One father was pushing his child on a swing with one hand, while the other hand was holding a phone which he was actively using. The child was asking his father a question and the dad was completely ignoring him. Then about 5 minutes later I witnessed a couple with two young preschoolers who were running along and both parents were looking at their phones. These were only a couple of examples of the many I witnessed.
It is great to see parents out and about with their children enjoying the sun and getting them out of the house, but make that time more beneficial for the children by engaging with them as well. I am sure that whatever is taking your attention on the phone will keep for a few hours while you are out, so you can enjoy your children.
Engage with them by talking about what they can see and are doing. Support their play by introducing different things and different ways of doing things. Allow them freedom to explore and most importantly, have fun with them.
A challenge is for you as the parent to put your phone down for a while, so your child can delight in your company, and you can ensure that the relationship with them remains positive.