Phones on the Fringe

What about modeling for other people's children?

First, a brief celebratory note: earlier this week, The Connected Family reached 1,000 subscribers! I’m honored and truly grateful that so many of you are here, engaged and eager to give the kids you love a connected and low-screen childhood.

And we’re just getting started! There’s so much goodness to come, including (as promised!) every post in April being free for all. (And my thanks especially to paid subscribers, who make all of this possible! You are a dream!)

Now let’s get to it…

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Last week’s newsletter sets us up nicely for something I’ve been chewing on myself, and that I’m eager to discuss with you all: the idea of smartphone use in margin moments.

Like most of us, I work hard to minimize my phone use when my kids are around. Before and after school and into the evening, my phone is usually parked on the kitchen counter — close enough so that I can hear it if it pings or rings, but otherwise off duty. By force of habit and because modeling a present, low-screen life matters so very much to me, this isn’t very difficult anymore.

But — also like most of us — my phone is a tool I use for plenty of things. I make plans, I check the weather, I catch up with friends and family, I reference notes, I check in on social media.

If I’m trying to minimize the time I’m doing these things in front of my children, and I’m trying to stay focused on the task at hand during the workday, where oh where do these tasks fit?