Dubuque Times

In today’s day and age, the overuse of technology is affecting many aspects of our lives. We are constantly exposed and connected, leading to an unrealistic expectation of being available all of the time. It can be hard to unplug and step away from the distractions and be present for your family and friends. 

One aspect it’s beginning to affect is in the world of parenting. “Distracted Parenting” has become a new coined term due to parents being disengaged with their children. This type of distraction can contribute to developmental delays in children and can lead to behavioral issues such as temper tantrums, anxiety and resistance to discipline. There are ways parents can become more engaged.

Set some hard and fast cell phone rules. By simply setting some boundaries for yourself on when you can have your phone, it may help to physically put away distractions.

Pick-up a pen and paper. Ditch those cell phone notes and go old school by writing reminders down on a piece of paper. This will help you from getting sucked into other distractions on your phone and will also encourage your child to pick up a paper and pen as well.

Have a “work time” with your kids. This is a sneaky way to set aside some screen time for yourself without taking time away from your children. Set up some fun tasks for your kids to work on while you take care of your own business. 

Spend some one-on-one time with your child. By carving out a special solo time with your child(ren) every day (even if it’s just 15 minutes) it will bring feelings of connectedness and calmness to both parties. 

Distracted parenting has become a common phenomenon. No parent will be able to give 100 percent attention, as that’s not realistic. The goal is to find a good balance of allowing your child to be independent but also showing them they are important and their needs are valued. 

If you need more information or assistance with parenting, please contact the Regional Medical Center Parents as Teachers program at 563-927-7685. This is a free service for Delaware County families.

Original source can be found here.