This generation may be the most involved parents of all time, but we may also be, the most distracted. There's just too much technology. Too many screens. And too many distractions. Is this new-school of parenting a very disconnected one?


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It's not easy to be a parent. And sometimes, you just want a few moments of escapism through your smartphone or tablet or even catching your favorite TV show. But instead of raising kids that rely on their third-parent, ie, tablets or smartphones, how about being a little more involved in it, the old-school way. Here are 5 suggestions:

1. Listen to your child

Often, we miss out on some milestones when we are too busy screening through our Facebook feeds. Go on a media diet when you are with your child. Listen to their coos and marvel at that little creation of yours. You won't make the greatest-parent list by just listening, but you can be sure that it'll be more fun than seeing what your friends were up to 5 minutes ago. 

Here's the story of a dad who overheard his friend he was going to come out to his parents and wrote him a letter:

2. Talk to your child

Your child may not be the most conversational person at his or her age, but you'll be surprised just how much they can learn from you talking to them. They pick up more things than you can imagine. So put your phone down. Pick up a book instead. Talk. 

3. Don't be distracted by screens

Unless they are these kinds of screens.

You've put your smartphone down already. What more do you want, you ask? How about turning off the TV and putting the tablet away too. Some parents are busy on their devices while carrying their kids. Some are talking to them but have their faces buried in a level of Candy Crush. Look up. Look at them. They grow up too fast. Level 421 can wait. 

Show them you mean it, in a humorous way!

4. Don't teach them how to Google, yet.

It's not a bad thing to teach your kid on how to look for answers. But don't do it so soon. They need to hear the answers from you. Otherwise, what are you there for aside from providing food and shelter? Do you really want them to have a third-parent, ie, the Internet? 

Plus, they may see something they're not supposed to just yet.

5. Play with toys, not apps.

Definitely more fun than an app!

Kids learn quickly. They can be good at apps almost instantaneously. It is as if they were born with an innate ability to understand games. And if it were so, why start them with apps and not toys instead? Toys are great because they involve every bit of attention, from tactile feeling to coordination to discovery. While the route of app-parenting is much easier, a toy would give your kid, perhaps as much, if not more joy during playtime.

Rely less on distraction. Rely more on involvement.