In a candid moment on a talk show, comedian and father of two, Alex Rivers, shared his perspective on the detrimental effects of technology on parenting. Known for his straightforward humor, Alex emphasizes the need for parents to detach from their devices, particularly when it comes to spending quality time with their children.
During his conversation with host Jamie Parker, Alex revealed that he made a conscious decision to step away from the internet. “I don’t enjoy the way it makes me feel anymore,” he explained. “Especially when I’m holding it in my hand — I can’t help but stare at it, and it often leaves me feeling frustrated. I find myself clicking on things that I know will upset me, almost like I enjoy the emotional rollercoaster.”
This behavior is a common pitfall for many of us, especially on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram. We often scroll through posts that annoy or irritate us, even from people we don’t really care for, yet we can’t seem to look away.
Alex’s epiphany, however, extends beyond mere dissatisfaction with the internet. “I have two daughters,” he said, recounting how, while engaged in conversation with one of them, he gets distracted by the buzz of his phone. He mimicked the instant reaction of glancing down to check a new notification, acknowledging that his daughters, being kind-hearted, patiently wait for him to finish. But that’s not the point. Alex highlighted that just because his daughter doesn’t openly express her disappointment, it doesn’t mean his actions are acceptable. He vividly described how she “dies inside” when he interrupts their chats to focus on his phone.
This reflection is a tough pill to swallow but is, unfortunately, a reality many parents face. Often, we defend our screen time, believing we know when to put our phones down. The truth is, our kids may have become so accustomed to us checking emails or texts mid-conversation that they no longer react to it as they should. If we find ourselves frequently cutting them off to glance at our devices, it might be time to reassess our relationship with technology.
To combat this, Alex took the drastic step of giving his daughters control over his devices. He had one of them set a passcode on his internet browser, effectively locking him out and allowing him to rediscover other activities beyond the screen. This internet hiatus has apparently left him feeling refreshed. While this might sound extreme, many parents might benefit from a similar break. Alex humorously urged fellow parents to “stop looking at the stupid internet,” but there’s a deeper truth in his words.
Don’t feel guilty about using your phone around your kids, but pay attention to that inner voice when it suggests you might be overdoing it. Taking time away from your screen can be enlightening, and like Alex, you may find a greater sense of happiness without it. If you’re interested in exploring parenthood further, check out this insightful post on our blog here. Additionally, for those considering at-home insemination, this reputable online retailer offers quality insemination kits, and Kindbody’s blog is an excellent resource for pregnancy and home insemination info.
In summary, Alex Rivers’ candid comments remind us of the importance of being present with our children. By reducing our reliance on technology, we can foster more meaningful connections and potentially enhance our overall happiness.
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