“Mummy’s phone!” cried the little boy in the stroller… he might have been two years old, but could’ve been younger. “No Honey, Mummy only has 1% charge left; you can’t have Mummy’s phone.” He struggled and cried despairingly as he wriggled around, trying courageously to reach his mum’s cell phone as she held it out of his reach, swooping it into her purse – gone, but not forgotten.
I was shopping in Spotlight, looking for inspiration for Santa’s upcoming visit, when I witnessed this unfold before me. Whoa – screens have taken over the world! And it disturbed me, so much so, that next time I was in front of mine, I googled it.
It’s been bugging me on and off, as John and I grapple with screens and their importance in our day to day lives. So just what is it doing to family life and relationships?
So Catherine Steiner-Adair EdD, a really smart lady who’s recently written a book discussing just this issue, was interviewed by the Huffington Post. She has a thing or two to say on the matter.
Let’s use technology for what it’s intended for, but be super aware that it does need to be managed. The tendency is for screens to manage us. This is a new phenomenon which, if we totally ignore, we may do so at the peril of the relationships with those we hold the most dear. And you just can’t take the time back once it’s gone (spoken by a true empty nester!).
Kristine Barber
WealthDesign – a life well planned