It’s no exaggeration to say I’m hooked on my phone. My full-time job stretches from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and in addition to that, I manage a blog with hundreds of thousands of followers. Whether I’m responding to a colleague’s message or working on blog content, my phone is constantly in hand. If it weren’t for my device, I’d likely be stuck in my office instead of being present at home, at my son’s sports events, or my daughter’s dance practice. I’m aware of this fact.
While I appreciate being able to juggle family time and work commitments, it often means I’m only half-present at home. I find myself answering my children’s questions with distracted “uh-huhs” and “ohs,” barely engaging with the world around me. This is especially obvious during dinner, where I often find my wife catching me glancing down at my phone under the table, as if I were a teenager sneaking a peek at social media during class. (Do teens even use Twitter these days? It might be all about Snapchat now. Whatever the case, it’s irrelevant.)
I always think she won’t notice, but she always does. When I’m glued to my phone at the dinner table, my wife, Rachel, reacts as if I’ve committed a great offense, and she’s probably right. There have been moments when she leaned in and whispered, “If you don’t put that phone away, I’ll take it from you and toss it in the toilet.” Her serious look has shaken me to my core.
I know I should do better. But sometimes, it’s tough to set the darn thing down. And let’s not pretend Rachel is completely innocent in this scenario. She has occasionally agreed to our children’s outrageous requests while focused on her Candy Crush game in the kitchen.
However, if we were to rate our phone habits on a scale, I’d be a solid 10, and she might hover around a 6.
So yes, I admit it: I’m addicted. In fact, many parents grapple with this same issue. Head to a park with your kids and take a look around—chances are, you’ll see children playing while 9 out of 10 parents are glued to their phones, wandering along the playground’s edge. The same scene unfolds at gymnastics practices and soccer matches.
I’m not here to judge anyone. I’m part of the club. It gets even more complicated when I remember my former therapist’s advice to cut back on my phone use—not for my family’s sake, but due to my struggles with anxiety and depression. She pointed out that social media could significantly fuel those feelings.
So, I’ve made a decision to change. I won’t be giving up my phone entirely—my job requires it—but I plan to set it down more often this year. I’ll leave it in the bedroom during dinner, tuck it away while we’re at the park, and turn it off when watching shows like My Little Pony with my daughters or attending my son’s soccer games.
By reducing distractions, I hope to cultivate more patience and engagement. I want to be more present and live a richer life with my children. Honestly, if the Ghost of Christmas Future were to show me my life two decades from now, it would be disheartening to see so many moments wasted with my focus on my phone while my kids sought my attention.
And that’s disappointing.
I know someone will probably comment about how they don’t own a smartphone, aren’t on social media, or even watch TV, communicating via carrier pigeon instead (even for online comments). Good for you—I’m glad you enjoy your 19th-century lifestyle. But for me, I love my phone. I genuinely do. It’s just become clear that I need to love it a little less and engage a bit more with my family right now.
If you relate to my struggle and feel that constant urge to check your phone, I invite you to join me in setting it aside. Choose specific times throughout the day—like dinner, bedtime, or playtime—and put that device in another room. Better yet, consider turning it off. Let it go and be truly present. You don’t need to do this excessively; even small steps can lead to significant changes.
For more tips on how to navigate family life, check out our other post about home insemination kits and the expert guidance available at Women’s Health.
Summary
The author reflects on his phone addiction and its negative impact on family life, recognizing the need to be more present. He shares his commitment to reducing phone use during family time and encourages others to join him in putting their phones down to foster deeper connections with their loved ones.
Keyphrase
Phone addiction and family impact
Tags
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