5 Screen Habits I Pledge to Break This Summer

"Put your phone away, Mommy." As I looked into my 2-year-old son's blue eyes, I saw a mixture of frustration, anger, and impatience. I immediately put my phone on the table, feeling somewhat abashed. And a little angry -- at myself. I had relapsed. Not long ago, I realized I had a problem with the screen. I was obsessively checking my iPhone and setting a terrible example for my daughter, who repeatedly asked why she couldn't have an iPad when all her 5-year-old friends did. (A fact I somewhat doubt, along with her dubious claims that all first-grade girls wear lipstick.) Priding myself on being proactive, I quit my phone cold turkey for a week. I'm not saying I achieved nirvana, but I did feel more relaxed, calmer, and, most importantly, more present as a parent. Yet life moves on, and I couldn't keep temptation at bay forever. I work at home, and need to email clients throughout the day. Still, if I'm being honest, half the time I check my phone, I'm not sure what I'm looking for: distraction, excitement, the perfect guacamole recipe. But it needs to end. My daughter is getting older, and it's hard to model good screen habits -- or convince her of the need for limits -- when I'm glued to my phone. And my son needs to know that Mommy's listening -- or at least occasionally making eye contact. So, this summer I'm making a pledge to put down my phone, step up my game, and quit these five offensive screen habits. 1. Checking the phone immediately before bed. I've developed...
Source: Healthy Living - The Huffington Post - Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news