Are You a Text-Obsessed Parent?by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger 31 Jul 2009 11:58 PM You may not have fallen down an uncovered manhole while texting or beaten the California teen's record of racking up an astonishing 14,528 text messages in ONE month, but experts say the number of text-obsessed parents is on the rise. If your preschooler is walking around the house using a calculator as a Blackberry in an attempt to be "just like you, mommy," then you might have a problem... at least according to child development experts. While there is no question that modern technology has its benefits--the ability to communicate with people around the world at all hours of the day, the freedom to surf the Internet anytime anywhere, the chance to read a book online, etc.--the problem comes when you start paying more attention to your BlackBerry than your kids. So how bad is it to constantly answer the call of the CrackBerry when you are with your children and force them to play second banana to a handheld electronic gadget? Experts say if quality time with your child is being constantly interrupted because you simply can't stop texting pals, then you need to address the issue. One childhood psychologist offers this advice to text-obsessed parents: "I think parents needs to be honest with themselves, and ask themselves, 'How important is this message? How important is it that it get answered right now?'" Granted, one of the benefits of having a BlackBerry is the ability to get work done away from your desk. Not being chained to the office allows parents the freedom to spend more time with their kids. However, if you are spending the majority of that parenting time hunched over a small piece of metal aggravating your berry blisters, then you certainly aren't doing your kids any favors. To enhance the time spent with your child, experts suggest parents set boundaries. For example, consider putting an auto-response on your e-mail saying you're away from your desk, but will be back at 8:00 p.m. to respond. The majority of emails can wait a couple hours to be read. However, if you absolutely, positively need to answer an e-mail while you are with your child, tell her that you need to take a break, but note the time, so you don't end up making her wait too long. Experts remind parents that children deserve to have uninterrupted mom and dad time. Physically being with your child, but not engaging them because you are too busy tweeting your pals is not fair. Bottom line: Exercise some self-control--put down the BlackBerry and pay attention to your kid. Related Articles: You Know Your Kid is Obsessed with Texting When... A Lesson for Parents WithText-Crazed Kids Confessions of a Reluctant Facebook Parent Does Your Child Have a Cellphone? Learn more about Michele Cheplic  Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism. Relevantparenting tags User Comments No comments on this article yet. Be the first to comment! Discuss this article
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