If I can get a few minutes to read the paper, even if it is just one article a day, I feel more complete. I feel smarter, I feel more educated, I feel more connected to the world beyond being a mom to a toddler.
This morning I picked up the Life section of the Pioneer Press and I saw an article titled Cell phones and parenting: A bad mix. To say it caught my eye was an understatement. I was immediately immersed in the article nodding and agreeing--out loud. I know some of you blog readers aren't parents and all of you are just stopping by for a quick read, but if you have a minute I really think this article is worth reading. It FLOORED me to hear from a speech and language pathologist that they are seeing an increase in children with speech development issues and delays (along with behavioral issues--which is another issue in and of itself) and they are attributing one of the major causes of these delays being that parents are too in tuned to their technology and not their own children. Sick. And I know we all see it--and if we are parents I am sure, at some point or another are guilty of it. Of course as the article came to end a wave of guilt came over me that was so strong it almost made me want to throw all forms of technology out the window, move to Walnut Grove and live like the Ingals did. I shook it off, reminded myself that not only am I human, but I also have a very bright, fun loving, well rounded, extremely expressive child who is one of the centers of my world.
The article was kind of a "clearing of throat" "Ahhhheeemmm" moment for me. Remember to stay focused on what really matters--Which is the child at your feet who just wants to be heard. Hang up the phone, turn off the TV, unplug the Ipod and plug yourself in to your child.
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