Whether we want to admit it or not, most of us are too attached to our cell phones.
The tiny smart devices have grown to take up a majority of the time that we would have otherwise spent sitting and observing or interacting with others.
That’s why a Lakeside, California mother of twins, Brandie Wood, decided that she would do a little bit experiment.
She began to wonder about all the amazing moments she had missed because she was on her smartphone. And more importantly, was she sending a message to her sons Blaine and Ryle that they were less important than an electronic device?
She decided she would shut her phone off and tallied how many times her children looked to her for approval, something she would miss if she was on her phone. She counted a total of 28 moments she would have missed.
Her Facebook post went viral with more than 42,000 shares.
“I think technology should be limited, a healthy balance. Technology is a double-edged sword. It helps and hinders,” Wood told Huffington Post. “Everyone should find what works for them. Just being aware will help tremendously. I am guilty of being connected to my phone as well. This experience has completely humbled me to be more present.”
Here is what her Facebook post read:
“Today I did an experiment, I watched my boys play. As I sat quietly in the corner of the room I tallied how many times they looked at me for various reasons: to see if I saw their cool tricks, to seek approval or disapproval for what they were doing, and to watch my reactions.
I couldn’t help but wonder if I was on some sort of technology what message would I have been sending? 28 times my angels would have wondered if the World Wide Web was more important than them. 28 times my boys would have not received the attention most adults are searching for. 28 times my loves would have questioned if they were alone emotionally. 28 times my kids would have been reassured that who you are online is what really matters.”
“In a world where we are accepted as who people perceive us to be and not who we really are, in a world where validation comes from how many followers or likes we have, in a world where quality time with loved ones is being replaced by isolation and text messages from the other room, I beg you to be different.
Please put down your technology and spend some time with your family & loved ones. The next generation of children is counting on us to teach them how to be adults, don’t be too busy on social media, you never know who is watching and what message you are sending.”
You can check out the post on the Love What Matters’ Facebook page below:
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