Yesterday was the Carnival of Natural Parenting with the theme of kids and technology. My post at Living Montessori Now was on the “Positive Use of Technology with Kids.” I shared a number of resources to help families make decisions about their children’s use of technology.
I also mentioned a thought-provoking and disturbing post at the Atlantic called “The Art of Staying Focused in a Distracting World.” It talks about our use of technology and how it affects our children. It says: “Kids learn empathy in part through eye contact and gaze. If kids are learning empathy through eye contact, and our eye contact is with devices, they will miss out on empathy.”
Even though my kids are grown, I have to think about that with my soon-to-be-born grandchild. For those of us who work online, we need to make an extra effort to be present around our loved ones.
Here’s a thought-provoking 2-minute video that shows dramatically why we’re having a hard time being present.
UPDATE: Don’t miss the important information in this post: “Don’t Let Your Smartphone or Tablet Steal Your Precious Family Time.”
Have you found ways to stay present around your family and friends?
Photo Credit: Stock Photo by Diego Cervo.
Note: I have lots of word-art inspiration at the Bits of Positivity Facebook page and on Pinterest!
May be linked to Afterschool Express, Thoughtful Spot, Tuesday Tots, The Mommy Club Resources and Solutions at Milk and Cuddles and Crystal & Co., The Weekly Kid’s Co-op, Hearts for Home Blog Hop, Ultimate Mom Resources, Learn & Link, TGIF Linky Party, Preschool Corner, Ultimate Homeschool Pinterest Party, Sharing Saturday, Saturday Show & Tell, Share It Saturday, Show-and-Share Saturday, The Sunday Showcase, Link & Learn, The Sunday Parenting Party
Related Posts
How Do Your Family Technology Rules Compare with Those of Steve Jobs and Other Top Tech People?
Instagram Family … What’s Wrong with This Picture?- Don’t Let Your Smartphone or Tablet Steal Your Precious Family Time
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Free Equality and Fairness Songs {Character Education Resources}
Free Determination Songs and Rhymes {Character Education Resources}
Ways to Be Kind to Humankind for Kids and Adults- Free Water Safety Songs for Kids
Yes, my cell phone is being turned off – it will still work as an iPod but will remain put away except during specific times during the day. I will be an in the moment Mom – and can see the impacts technology is having on our families/world.
its something i constantly have to remind myself about. I use my phone to take my blog photos so I tend not to leave the home with out it, but on occasions when it stays in my pocket I notice the difference. I have stopped taking photos in the middle of play without asking Goblin first because it really did make him disengage when I reached for the phone. I don’t blame him, he was reading my action as, ‘my phone is more important than you’. Thanks for linking this to the Sunday Parenting Party. Its such as valuable reminder to all of us parents. I’m pinning to our pinterest board (Goblin’s in bed so i can do it guilt free!)
Hi, I found on Mom’s Library. You know, I’m not perfect of course, but my main way to stay connected is I do not have a smart phone nor do I text. So when I’m not doing bloggy or worky stuff online, I’m completely disconnected from tech which I love. I HATE texting and I know I’m in the minority there 🙂
Wow. This really hits home for me. I try to be present for family and friends, but lately I know I’ve been failing at this, or at least coming up short. Thanks for the reminder and encouragement! (Stopping by from Crystal & Co LinkUp!)
I have to keep this in mind now that I started blogging. It’s very tempting to be checking Twitter, the blog, Pinterest, mails, comments………
I’m glad I done raising my kids, I think it would be harder now when seemingly every little kid is already using an iPad or reaching for their parent’s phone to play with it. And yes, it’s an issue from the parent’s side, too. Parenting can be boring and lonely at times and it would be so tempting to have that phone around all the time for distraction.
I love technology. I love that my children use technology to learn and to play. I also love my children’s eyes because by looking into them I can see and communicate things that words alone won’t transfer. As a parent, it is so necessary to get and give balance in all things, including the use of technology and personal interaction. We’re not raising generations of robo-kids and as such we must give them touch, love, emotional communication and the ability to empathize and sympathize with us and others.
Great info.. I have to keep this in mind now that I started blogging. It’s very tempting to be checking Twitter, the blog, Pinterest, mails, comments. Thanks for the shearing…