You might think you know me. You might have glimpsed me at the park, seated on a bench with my eyes glued to my phone while my kids swing and climb. You may have noticed me in the grocery store, scrolling through my device while my little ones plead for my attention. I’m that mom who balances a plate of food in one hand while tapping away on my phone with the other. You likely identify me as “that” mom—the one absorbed in her phone while supposedly spending quality time with her children.
You might wonder what kind of parent prioritizes their phone over their kids. Perhaps you assume I’m disengaged or too wrapped up in my digital world to notice what my children are doing or saying. But here’s the truth you don’t see.
When you see me at the park with my kids, it’s a rare moment of respite. We homeschool, which means I’m actively engaged with them throughout the day—teaching, playing, and nurturing. The park represents one of the few places where I can relax, knowing my children are happily entertained, giving me a chance to connect with friends or tackle some work tasks.
Yes, I work from home too. I’m a writer, and I love what I do. It allows me to remain home and educate my children. However, the demands of my job often require me to multitask, which means I might be proofreading emails while they play or jotting down an article idea inspired by their karate class.
But there’s more to it. Balancing homeschooling and a work-from-home career can make it challenging to carve out adult time. So when you see me on my phone, I might be reaching out to old friends on Facebook—maintaining those connections is vital for my well-being. I could be texting my spouse, as nurturing our relationship is just as important as caring for our kids. I might even be planning a trip to visit my grandmother, who is 90 and likely won’t be around for many more visits. I might also be having a light-hearted Bitmoji chat with my best friend, as those silly exchanges help relieve stress and keep my spirits high.
This life I’ve chosen requires organization. I could be using my park time to hunt for time management strategies or checking for quick, healthy dinner recipes at the grocery store. At a restaurant, I might be scheduling one-on-one outings with each of my kids because, despite spending each day together, quality individual time is rare.
Sometimes, I review our finances or explore fun field trip destinations. I might even be indulging in a book on my Kindle app while my kids are occupied. My phone is a tool that enables me to be present for my children while balancing the practicalities of life.
So yes, you may have seen me and perhaps judged my parenting choices as I appeared more focused on my phone than my kids. But you don’t know the full story. Perhaps that mom has just spent hours engaging with her children, or she is managing her responsibilities to provide for her family. Perhaps she is simply taking a moment for self-care, which is essential for all parents.
When you see me on my phone, please don’t rush to conclusions about my parenting. I assure you, my kids receive ample attention, and they might appreciate these brief moments of my phone use just as much as I do.
To discover more about home insemination, check out this informative resource on pregnancy and home insemination at WomensHealth.gov. If you’re interested in DIY options, you can also explore our post on the Cryobaby at Home Insemination Kit or learn more about at-home methods at Intracervical Insemination.
Summary:
This article reveals the often misunderstood dynamics of a mom’s phone use while with her children. It highlights the balance between homeschooling, working from home, and the need for adult interaction and self-care. The narrative encourages readers to look beyond surface judgments and understand the complexities of a parent’s life.