iPhone Parenting

 

 

Okay so what I am about to  talk about is probably no surprise to anyone. But a rant is in order.  Parents with children of all ages absorbed in their IPhones or IPads . I was in a restaurant enjoying a peaceful lunch when my attention was caught by the squealing and banging of a toddler. He was in a high chair and wanted more than something to eat to have his mother 's attention. His mother was absorbed on her IPad and responded by handing him a variety of different toys. The toys piqued his curiosity for a minute and then he would squeal and bang the toy on the table while staring intently at his mother. She never looked up. Her response was to reach into the diaper bag and produce another toy.  What's the message this young child is receiving?  You' re not important! I have better things to do! He finally reached the end of his frustration tolerance and began crying. To her credit(I guess) she shut the IPad and began shoveling his untouched food into his mouth. She wasn't happy and he wasn't happy.

 

Parents and other caregivers pushing strollers have been observed texting or talking away.  No chatter or singing, no interacting, no notice if the sun is in the kid's eyes or whether the child has fallen uncomfortably to the bottom of the stroller.

 

I especially like observing families out to dinner together.  The children of all ages are given some electronic device or another while the parent's text and check their IPhones.

Really? What happened to "quality time". ( not that I believe in such a thing).  Tons of research  underscores the importance of family time. Time when parents and children talk to each other, when problems are discussed , moods are assessed , plans and announcements are made.

 

So I'm really curious about how these children turn out .