Pay Attention! 3 Reasons to Put Away Your Phone

Yesterday I stopped in at a local store and noticed a common event. A little girl about 9 years old was attempting to talk to her mother about a couple of topics. One might think her mother was dead, because no matter how many times the girl asked for the mother’s response, she didn’t even flinch. Why? She was locked in on her smart phone.

So her daughter gave up.

I wanted to shout, “Pay attention!”

You’ve no doubt experienced this familiar scene. Perhaps you’ve been a participant in this scene.

Though this blog is written for parents, it applies to us all. So...

I want to briefly share three reasons to pay attention. Three reasons to put aside your phone and pay attention to your children and the life around you. 

Your time is limited. If you’re a parent, you need to pay attention. Your time is limited with your kids. If you’re a young parent you think you have forever. If you’re a mid-life parent you are feeling the reality. If you’re an empty-nester, you recognize how precious that time is.

Your kids will only look at you with adoring eyes for a while. You have their attention for a short time, therefore you need to capitalize on these precious gifts from God. Pay attention to them.

Your influence is diminishing. Just like your time, your influence is fleeting. Your kids will turn to you for a time for input, insight and direction. But far too many parents are defaulting to YouTube, Netflix, and Fortnite to influence their kids. Why? Parenting is hard. Sure. But because they’re focused on their own life trapped in a phone. Facebook isn’t your friend. Twitter isn’t your child. Instagram doesn’t love you. Text messages are important, but your child is really important. Pay attention to them.

Your behavior is truth. Kids don’t care what you say. Kids care what you do. You can say, “I love you. I’m listening.” But if your nose is always 3 inches from your phone, they see the truth. Children are smarter than we give them credit for. They are always watching. They are seeing what we really believe and what we truly value by our behavior. What is your behavior telling them? Pay attention to them.

Hit a chord?

If this blog has hit a chord, what should you do? I can’t say exactly what you should do except pay attention to them.

Should you get rid of your smart phone? Maybe. That may be best if you’re addicted. You won’t like that option, but it may be best…for a time.

If that’s not your answer, perhaps limit when you’ll be on your phone. Try after the kids go to bed and limit it for an hour. Smart phones aren’t just hurting kids, its damaging marriages, families, friendships, and jobs.

You may want to limit how much you’ll be on your phone. You can likely wrap up the necessary conversations, tasks, etc. in a matter of an hour. There’s no doubt others tasks you need to complete, but with your phone in your hand it’s stopping you, if not inhibiting you.

You may want to limit what apps you have on your phone. I got rid of Facebook on my phone a few months ago and I love it. Life goes on without social media. In fact life gets excellent without it at your fingertips.

Try these steps so you can pay attention. Life is precious. Your children – your relationships are precious. Pay attention before they stop paying attention to you.

What things have you given up to experience a better life? Share your comments!