Times parents should put their phones down

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A lot of parents monitor how much time their kids spend on screens and encourage them to limit it, or force them to get off screens, but many of us aren’t setting a good example. After all, what’s a kid supposed to think when we take away their tablet only to hop on TikTok ourselves?

Parenting coach Fadekemi Adeniyi agrees that moms and dads should be on their phones way less, especially around their kiddos. According to this expert, these are the five most important times for parents to put their phones down.

• When your child wakes up in the morning - “When you’re seeing your child for the first time in the morning, drop your phone,” Adeniyi advises. “Let your eyes light up. The way you react to seeing them now is the way they’ll see themselves.” She explains that getting excited to see your child for the first time of the day helps build their confidence, and who doesn’t want that?
• When you’re about to be separated from your child - Whether it’s when they’re going off to school or you’re heading out the door without them, drop your phone and give them some attention because what you say then will stick with them all day. “This is where you want to say, ‘You’re a leader. You have a strong mind. You’re important. We love you,’” the expert says. And those words don’t have the same impact if you’re scrolling on your phone when you say them.
• When you’re about to be reunited with your child - After a day at school, work or any other separation, give your child your full attention. “You’re seeing your child again. Let your eyes light up,” Adeniyi suggests. “Drop your phone.”
• Eating together as a family - Research shows that mealtime can be so beneficial for family connection, so make the most of it. Plus, your child is watching and will learn to do what you do, so do you really want to be on your phone during a meal?
• During bedtime routine - This is a final time to connect with your kids at the end of the day and you don’t want to miss it. “Nothing makes humans more disconnected from their surroundings more than being glued to their phones,” reminds the parenting coach. If we want a strong bond with our kids, we need to work on how we behave in those times of connection with them and putting down the phone is a great place to start.

Source: Scary Mommy