OMG. I am SO guilty of using my cell phone way more than I should — when I was first on maternity leave with my baby, I’m embarrassed to say almost every single picture had my cell phone in it somewhere, meaning the thing was always close to me so I wouldn’t miss any important calls, texts or emails. Now that I’ve gone back to work, I find myself missing my baby and coming home wanting to be with her but STILL distracted by the buzzes coming in. I really need to stop.
Baby time
Walking with my 7-month-old is one of my favorite things to do, yet I can’t seem to JUST focus on the walking part. I have so many people I owe phonecalls to, I often make them while I’m pushing the stroller around the neighborhood. I end up not really spending quality time JUST walking — but trying to do too many things at once, like every other mom…It’s funny, I was walking her around the neighborhood and stopped at the park, where every other mom was on their cell chatting while their kids played, or at least had their faces down checking. I took note of it — I don’t want to be like that.
What Happens Next
I certainly don’t want my child to feel like she comes second to my cell-phone, and although she is little right now, I’m sure in a few years she will take notice that I am constantly on or checking my messages. Seriously though, it’s not that I am an addict, but there’s just so much to do that life never stops. A mom friend of mine and her family are taking a vacation, and she told me that her tween daughter begged her to leave the crackberry at home: “What’s the point of a family vacation if you’re constantly on the phone?” she said. Needless to say, the phone will be brought, but my friend felt incredibly guilty, and will turn her phone off during family-time. Speaking of a vacation too, YOU won’t get much of a break being on the phone all the time — wouldn’t you feel more relaxed to just not have it a few hours a day?
I Am Going to Change
Tonight when I get home, I’m leaving the phone behind when I take my baby for a walk. All emails, texts or calls can wait– and I don’t need to write a twitter update that we are in the park, I actually want to enjoy the park with my daughter. I want to see her look at other babies, and at the trees, and I want to sing to her and talk to her. I have to remember how fast they grow up, and how important the time I have with her is. Want to do it with me?
