Let’s be real here: I spend a ridiculous amount of time glued to my phone. Whether I’m working my day job, catching up with friends, or tackling freelance writing gigs, that little rectangle of glass and plastic is practically an extension of my hand.
I didn’t realize how much my attention was slipping away until one moment made it painfully clear. My toddler, Max, waddled over to me, tears streaming down his cheeks after a disagreement with his older sibling. I tried to comfort him with a half-hearted “It’s okay, buddy,” without even looking up from my screen. “Mom, put that down and snuggle me!” he cried.
Cue the wake-up call. I slammed my phone down, scooped him up, and apologized. In that moment, I felt a wave of guilt wash over me. I was tied to my phone instead of truly connecting with my family.
My husband, Jake, was thrilled when I declared I was taking a break from my phone, social media, and the never-ending flow of notifications. So, for a whole week, I locked my phone in the glove box while I was home. No buzzing, no texting, just me and my family.
Let me tell you, the first day was a wild ride. As dawn broke and my household stirred, I felt a strange emptiness without my phone. I was itching to check for missed messages, and I found myself fidgeting. But then, something wonderful happened: my kids and I snuggled in bed, read stories, and held the family record for the longest tickle fight.
Suddenly, they were all around me, and I was actually engaging with them. When I wasn’t busy with chores, I was chasing my kids around, sharing tales from my childhood, or begging them to help me bake cookies and create chalk art on the sidewalk. For once, I felt like the one driving them a little nuts instead of the other way around.
I realized that while there are definitely times when my phone is necessary—like calling Jake for last-minute grocery runs—most of the time, my phone was just a want, not a need. After slashing my data plan in half, I was saving money too. Score!
By the end of the week, I could see how my phone had been a barrier between me and my children. They deserved my full attention, my respect, and my presence. I realized that being there for them means engaging with them in the moment, instead of letting my phone dictate my focus.
Now, don’t get me wrong—phones aren’t the enemy. I’m not judging any parent who needs a few minutes to scroll through an app. We all need a breather sometimes. But for me, it became clear that I had been more connected to a device than to my family. It’s all about finding that sweet spot between needs and wants. I’m definitely working on mastering the art of moderation.
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Summary
In an effort to reconnect with my family, I took a week-long hiatus from my phone, discovering that my attachment to it was more of a hindrance than a help. By focusing on my kids and realizing the difference between needs and wants, I learned to create a healthier balance in my life.