A few weeks ago, my partner and I spent an exciting morning chasing our kids around a school carnival. By the third hour, I could feel my patience for other children dwindling fast, so I decided to take a breather and scroll through Twitter for a moment. Of course, this was the exact moment I bumped into one of the teachers from my child’s class.
With a gentle smile, she took my phone from my hands and softly exclaimed, “tsk, tsk,” while shaking her head. I felt my cheeks flush as she motioned towards the kids I should have been watching instead. From that point on, I tucked my phone away in my coat pocket, choosing to find other ways to fill the time—none of which involved actually engaging with my own kids, who were happily engrossed with their friends.
I tried to forget that awkward moment until I stumbled upon a post titled “Dear Mom on the iPhone.” It started like this:
“Dear Mom on the iPhone, I see you sitting on the bench, fiddling with your device. It’s nice to take a moment for yourself while your kids enjoy the sunshine, right? You’re doing a fantastic job raising them; you work hard, instill manners, and ensure chores get done. But, let me point out what you might be missing…”
The post went on to describe all the precious moments a mother could overlook while glued to her screen. “Look! Your little girl is spinning in her dress, glancing over to see if you’re watching. She’s such a beauty queen, but you’re not paying attention.”
It continues with the familiar refrain of how “bad” a mother can be for simply being distracted by technology. Heaven forbid a mom absentmindedly pushes a swing while checking her phone! Society seems to have declared this behavior unacceptable.
Well, I’m that mom at the park, phone in hand, and I’m tired of feeling judged for it. Whether it’s a park, a birthday party, or an indoor play area, if my kids are entertained, sometimes I indulge in my phone. But that doesn’t make me a bad parent; in fact, I’d argue it helps me be a better one.
Taking a few minutes to check Twitter or Facebook gives me a chance to recharge and maintain my sense of humor about the chaos of parenting. It’s like a quick mental reset—a much-needed break that keeps me grounded. Remember that time my child covered themselves in permanent marker? Thanks to the hilarious Facebook comments, I laughed instead of stressing out.
I work from home, which means I have the flexibility to drop my kids off at school, pick them up in the afternoon, and spend quality time together. If it means checking emails during their activities while the rest of the world is stuck behind a desk, so be it. Who wouldn’t want that kind of balance? Plus, being on my phone when we’re out and about often means I’m more present when it’s just the three of us at home.
Sometimes, I’m on my phone to avoid conversation with that one mom who seems ready to judge me for everything. I won’t claim to be a perfect mom; I have my fair share of highs and lows, often separated by mere moments. Ultimately, my goals are simple: to ensure my kids feel loved and to create more proud parenting moments than regrettable ones. Adding “never use my phone” to my list of parenting goals isn’t going to help anyone.
A fleeting snapshot of a mother at a park, restaurant, or parking lot doesn’t tell the whole story of a family. So, judging based on one moment is not only unfair but also slightly ridiculous. After all, can you really expect me to keep my eyes glued to my kids bouncing around in a bounce zone for hours on end?
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Summary
This article discusses the judgment faced by mothers who use their phones while watching their children. The author advocates that a little phone time can help parents recharge and maintain perspective, asserting that parenting is about balance and love rather than constant vigilance.
Keyphrase: Mom Judged for Using iPhone
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