10 parenting tips for using your smartphone wisely around kids

Your smartphone could be affecting your parenting. Here are 10 tips on how to use your phone wisely when you are around your kids.

10 smart tips for using smartphones around your kids

Did you know that your smartphone can affect your parenting?

Studies have shown that when your attention is divided between your mobile phone and your kids, it may cause you to feel annoyed and react negatively towards them. When this happens, your children could feel that they are competing against these gadgets for your attention.

Yes, it's possible for parents to overdo screen time. To prevent this, check out our 10 parenting tips on how you can be smarter when using your smartphone around your kids, .

Focus on your kid, not on your phone

It can really take a conscious effort to not split your attention between your gadgets and your kids. Parents should keep in mind, though, that doing so is good for the family.

When you switch off your phone and spend time talking and listening to your children, this makes them feel that they are important, and that you put value on what they have to say. When you do this, you foster a better relationship with them, and also boost their confidence.

Leave your gadgets in your room

Remember the saying "out of sight, out of mind?" Do this with your gadgets at home by leaving them in your bedroom or home office instead of carrying them around with you. When they aren't within immediate reach, it will be easier for you to be fully present with the kids.

Turn off unnecessary notifications

If you are worried about missing an important call or message and need to keep your mobile with you, limit distractions by turning off unnecessary notifications.

Once a notification pops up, you become tempted to open a social media app or game. Before you know it, you will have spent several minutes on your phone, distracted. By silencing the notifications, you effectively lessen the temptation to go online.

Delete distracting apps

Take it a step further by deleting distracting games and applications that you might have on your mobile phone. This not only frees up your time, but your device memory as well.

Set a time for work and play

Smartphones have made it easier for you to check work emails and messages even after you leave the office, but this doesn't mean that you should allow yourself to do this all the time.

Make it a point not to bring work home with you. This way, when you are with your children you will have no need to constantly check your phone for correspondences.

If you work from home, on the other hand, set a clear distinction between time for work and time for play, so that your attention is not divided between the two.

Disconnect while you charge

Charging time can serve as your gadget break as well. While your phone is plugged in, turn it off and keep it off. This is a good time to dedicate a couple of hours or so to uninterrupted activity and play time with your kids.

Rather than capture moments, strive to be in the moment

It is natural to feel excited about sharing snapshots of yourself with your kids on social media. However, the time that you spend uploading the photo, creating a caption, and replying to comments on your phone takes your focus away from your children.

Instead of instantly sharing these moments, make yourself present and be in the moment. Not only will you be able to better enjoy the time you spend together, your children will appreciate it more, too.

Set a "no device hour" for your family

For at least an hour each day, make everyone at home turn off their phones and gadgets and just spend time with one another for family bonding. You could go for a walk, grab a snack, or just sit around and talk to each other.

Strictly no phones at the dinner table

Meal time is typically when the entire family comes together. Filipino families, in particular, love to bond over food.

You can make the experience more meaningful by strictly enforcing a no phones at the dinner table rule, giving your family a chance to interact at mealtime without digital distractions.

Give yourself a gadget curfew

To help you sleep better, and also to make the most out of the last few hours of the day, commit to turning off or at least putting down your phone by a certain time. This way you can focus completely on your story time and bedtime ritual with the kids, and you can send them off to sleep on a happy note.

Parenting tips: Using smartphones around your kids

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Patricia de Castro-Cuyugan

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Written by

Patricia de Castro-Cuyugan

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