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Community Corner

Mom Talk Q & A: Are Our Kids being Ignored?

Where are we plugging in our energy? Shannon S. wants to know.

This week’s question comes from Woodinville Resident Shannon S, was chatting with a friend who teaches early childhood development at a local community college. She writes, “The educators are very concerned about the moms who spend all their time texting which leaves little time for cuddling, holding their children's hand when walking, engaging in conversation, etc. “

Are parents these days more connected with their Blackberries, iPads and iPods than their kids?

In a word? Yes. You need only visit the third floor of Bellevue Square to see the exact scenario Shannon is referring to. Parents sitting around a half circle, hunched over, swiping screens, furiously texting, and obviously, not watching their kids.

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The last time I was at one of these open-style play areas, I witnessed a toddler dragging a baby (yes, that’s right a crawling-age baby!) up a play structure. I intervened and asked where his mother was…he scampered away, leaving me there with this crying baby who wasn’t even related to the child that was “playing” with him. Turned out mom and dad were sitting next to each other playing a game on their individual iPads. Talk about bad judgment.

This is the worst thing I’ve ever seen. But to be honest, there isn’t a lot of general connection or care happening at the playground. It leads me to wonder what happens at home?

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As a working mom, I am often guilty of flipping on Curious George so I can pound out a few emails. I have also been guilty of telling my son that I’d be there “in a minute” when I was off the phone with a partner or walking away from a game to answer a text.

Clearly, we are not always plugged into our kids, but lately, with the iPhone revolution, we are in dire need of a good unplugging!

My pledge this week is to take off the hours between 5 - 7 p.m. and focus on my family. We’re going to cook together, read together, chase each other around the kitchen, pull out the paint, and remember what being a family is like.

Can you take this challenge with me? Can you go 10 hours without checking Facebook? Responding to a text?

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