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October 2014 Moms
SusieBW
member
Speaking of kids at the doctor's office . . .
SusieBW
member
At the other end of the spectrum from yesterday's post about kids in the waiting room, there was a woman in the waiting room at the OB with me yesterday with her daughter. The girl was probably between 5-7, though I'm not a very good judge. She was dressed like she was 10 (black capris and a pretty blouse with matching flips), but when I looked at her face, she looked closer to 5 or 6. They sat down next to me, and the little girl said "Mommy, can I have an iPhone?" The mom said sure, and took 2 iPhones out of her purse, handed one to the little girl and started texting on the other one. The mom barely looked up from that screen for the full 25 minutes they were sitting next to me. Meanwhile, the little girl sat playing a game on the other phone, talking about it (to herself, apparently, because mom clearly wasn't listening) and making noises and singing the whole time. Every time the girl said something more directly to the mom, the response was generally just "uh huh." At one point, I'm not sure whether the game said the word, or it was on the screen and she could read it, but the girl asked her mom what the word "inspired" meant. The mom said, "hmm, that's kind of tough to explain..." and left it at that. And the girl didn't seem bothered by that response at all. She just went back to playing the game. It was surreal.
I don't know what the mom might have been texting about or what she had going on in her life at that point, so I try really hard not to judge, but it was all so apathetic, I felt like I needed to share with someone.
I don't know what the mom might have been texting about or what she had going on in her life at that point, so I try really hard not to judge, but it was all so apathetic, I felt like I needed to share with someone.
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Re: Speaking of kids at the doctor's office . . .
I am a FTM, so it's easy to say a million and one things that I "will never do" but the obsession with electronic toys and gadgets drive me up the wall!
I have a cell phone, and an iPad. Yes, I use them. However, if I'm at a meal, in a conversation, or out of my house with friends/family, my cell stays in my purse. Unless I'm concerned about what might be happening, I don't look at my phone.
My mother, who is 65, is obsessed with her cell and iPad. I visit her now, and she pulls one or the other out EVERY time I see her. I've gotten to the point where I tell her that she's doing it, and ask her to put it away. For goodness sake!
So, I do hope not to create a child who is dependant on electronic toys.
It's a BOY! Est. Due Date - October 17th
I'm mean I am sitting here at the OB and there are 11 people in the waiting room and 8 are on their phone.
I put on Mickey Mouse or whatever other cartoon just so I can get some chores done sometimes, so I'm guilty of it too.
Yup- sounds like my world. Sometimes I have to take care of something work related while my son is with me and he is perfectly content playing on one of our other devices. We tend to leave our devices at home so he usually is playing with a car or whatever else I happened to throw in my purse, but I definitely have had to make a very conscious effort to step away from my phone when he is with me b/c it is easy to want to take a mental vacation with it. I personally see the parent using their phone as the same as reading a book or magazine- I've definitely witnessed the same type of scenario with a book vs a device. I've learned that sometimes life with a toddler dictates doing things that you never thought you would do just to get through the moment so you can move onto being able to be more engaged with your child.
The zombie apocalypse is already here... I can't make the image come up
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/70931762855182403/
I agree completely with the OP. DH and I like to take DS to this jungle gym like place at the mall. Almost every single parent there just lets their kid play while they sit down on the side and play with their phones. Yes, I understand independent play but I also think it's important to engage with your child. DS is younger so the two of us are constantly with him, helping him climb the slides and cheering when he goes down them etc. He is completely capable of playing independently, we just want to "share" that experience with him.
No contact with human interaction whatsoever!
But in all seriousness, I really hope I don't just give my kids something and ignore them or be wrapped up in my phone to not be able to explain what a word means. I can see how easy it is just to give in though. DH and I are going to reign in our own phone use when this lo arrives.
One thing I noticed since having a kid - you notice all the kids who don't, in a 5 second assessment of course, seem as fiercely loved and thoroughly treasured as your own kid. And it makes your heart die a little.
I really do worry about the communication skills of future generations because we are not teaching those skills if we're throwing tablets and phones at them.
Sometimes it really is hard to devote your whole self to your child 100% of the time, and electronics make for an easy break. I think there has to be a balance. If your child wants to play a game for a bit or watch a show, ok, but be willing and ready to engage them!