babble » blogs » Strollerderby
Strollerderby
‘Wired’ Dad Defends Plugged-in Parenting
Photo: Rae Whitlock via Wired via Flickr
Last week forced a lot of parents to look themselves in the face. Their shiny smartphones were the most available mirror, of course. In the New York Times‘ “The Risks of Parenting While Plugged In,” experts explained how we’re screwing our kids up and making them feel really bad by constantly refreshing our screens.
At Babble, the headline concluded that, indeed, Blackberrys make us bad parents.
Technology has made today’s good parents nearly as bad as drunk and checked-out benign neglecters that they called “Mom” and “Dad.”
But a dad, geek and writer for Wired argues that there are benefits to parenting with technology. It’s not all that bad! Do not disconnect. Repeat: do not disconnect!
But you know what? He’s only got one really decent example — Skype. For connecting with grandparents or siblings left behind on a Dad/Big Brother trip.
And really? He doesn’t have a point. The Times piece argued we need to set limits. This Babble piece, which preceded the Times piece, highlighted the sadness of kids who have to compete not with siblings for their mother’s attention — but freaking iPhones!
We really do spend too much time online. Facebook bears sad witness to this, as pics and commentary of the kids are simulcast into status updates. Every cute quote gets shared — even when said cute quote is about mommy’s little FB-addiction.
Skype, one could argue, is face-to-face. It can encompass the kid. Phone calls and texts and Facebook and Twitter? Those exclude the little ones and they know it.
Disconnect. I repeat, disconnect!
More Posts
Mom’s Prison Sentence Delayed Due to Childcare
Babies Born at Night Higher Risk of Death
Clingy Women, Gregarious Men Make the Most Babies
Swedish Envy: Eat Your Heart Out, Dads
White Teacher Tells Biracial Student Her Hair is Sickening
Law Forces Breastfeeding … of Grown Men!
More Bad Marriage News From the Gores
Girl’s Skull Cracked During Pro Game
Why Lesbian Couples Raise Better Kids
Baby Gaga Mom: Handcuff Necklace No Biggie
Obesity blamed for rampant c-sections, maternal deaths
What the Gores’ separation means to the rest of us
Blogger’s Son Dies While Recovering from Overdose, Assault
In the World of Milkshakes, Here’s One to Avoid
Go Back To Strollerderby
0 Comments
[...] ‘Wired’ Dad Defends Plugged In Parenting [...]
Should Parents Go to Jail for Missing a Teacher Conference? | Strollerderby commented on Jun 16 10 at 1:22 pmSara commented on Jun 15 10 at 11:42 amMy husband was on skype for two hours yesterday playing with my daughter. He’s been away for three months and skype makes it easier for them.
And god forbid that kids learn that they’re not always the most important thing in the world. It is not healthy for kids to always get immediate attention when they want it, it makes them spoiled and learning to entertain themselves while their parents do something else (just as they would of had to while their parents worked on the farm) will help their imaginations and teach them to be (GASP) independent.
This method of parenting where kids are always engaged with their parents is not healthy or productive. It does not allow kids to learn things on their own. No parent is going to type away on the blackberry if there is a real emergency, but if a child needs to learn to play by themselves or solve a conflict without their parents it will be better for them.
Add your take:
Note: Babble is a supportive, diverse community. We encourage a range of opinions,
but any unduly hostile comments will be removed.
Comments are delayed up to 15 minutes
Lori Garcia 
Joslyn Gray 
Amber Doty 
Julianna Miner 
Monica Bielanko 
Sierra Black 
Meredith Carroll 
Carolyn Castiglia 
Sunny Chanel 
Madeline Holler 
Rebecca Odes 
Danielle Smith 
Danielle Sullivan 
Katherine Stone 
The Walt Disney Company supports Babble as a platform dedicated to honest, engaged, informed, intelligent and open conversation about parenting. However, the opinions expressed on this site are those of individual parents/writers and do not reflect the views of Disney. In addition, content provided on this site is for entertainment or informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, or safety advice.
0