I recently read an article about robot nannies. First thought, that sounds cool. Second thought, could a robot actually care for kids? Interesting but I would not trust my children to the care of a mechanical object. As a toy sure but nanny no way. This got my mind wandering to thoughts of how much we have already come to look to technology to distract or ‘baby-sit’ our kids.
Kids aren’t the only ones attached; we adults are hooked as well. Walk through an airport or coffee shop or even a grocery store for that matter and you will see many people talking on the phone, texting or listening to some tunes on their mp3 player. Ok, so, yes, there is a completely new topic there; phone etiquette but what I really am having an issue with is parents that let their kids run wild while they are seemingly too busy talking to god only knows on the phone. I have seen this way too many times in stores and really want to plead with my fellow moms to get it together for the sake of not only other shoppers but your kids too.
As someone who worked in visual merchandising there is nothing worse then a wandering child, being ignored by their mom, who tears apart the mannequin you spent hours dressing. Kids need attention and they need some sort of discipline or they are going to be brats. Not just messing up someone’s display in a store but being that kid other parents would rather not have at their house or the one the teacher would rather not have in class. We all have those moments when we do have to take care of something and are on the phone while in a store etc. It may seem innocent enough at the time but all that distraction and half-paying attention has an effect on your kids.
The Wall Street Journal even had an article titled Blackberry Orphans, addressing the seriousness of parents overusing their email devices when they are with the kids. One little girl tried hiding and even flushing her Mom’s Blackberry down the toilet! Our kids need us to be there, there, paying attention to them. It is harder then ever to separate ourselves from the tools that make our jobs and lives easier in so many ways but we need to. We need to take the time to be present when our kids are with us, keep them safe, teach them manners, and just show them we genuinely care enough to listen to them even in when we are riding in the car.
