You are at your children's lessons? I mean not just physically being there, but actually watching your children.
I was watching my 4 year old in his karate class tonight and as I looked around I noticed that of the 8 other parents that were there....I was the only one paying attention to what the kids were doing. EVERYother parent was playing on their cell phone nearly the whole time. I know there are always exceptions for needing to use your phone...but I think barring anything major that the parents attention should be on their child.
Thoughts?
It depends. We go to martial arts five days a week. I can't watch a room with 20 five year olds kicking the air for an hour five times a week. I would be lying if I said I don't find myself playing on my phone. I do agree though that it is sick and disgusting how often I look around and parents aren't in the moment with their kids because they are playing on their phones. I would never sit on my phone during a soccer game or a belt test at martial arts. I am most annoyed whenever we go out to eat and the parents are on their phones or ipads and the kids are on their video games or their phones. They can't even get through a meal without teching out. It's sad.
I don't by any means think that a parent needs to hover. When we are at home or at the park...my kids have the freedom to play and I don't feel bad looking on my phone or reading or whatever....but I was talking specifially of watching during a lesson where these kids are trying to learn new things and are proud of their achievements.
The kids in this class are 3 and 4 years old. It's 30 minutes twice per week. I chat with other parents and my older son while I am there. I don't, however, feel ok about spending that 30 minutes only looking at my phone.
Every parent has their own parenting styles and that's fine...better than fine. This just happens to be mine.
Quoting thecoffeefairy:
I allow my kids the freedom to do things without me hovering.
Quoting Kris0806:I don't by any means think that a parent needs to hover. When we are at home or at the park...my kids have the freedom to play and I don't feel bad looking on my phone or reading or whatever....but I was talking specifially of watching during a lesson where these kids are trying to learn new things and are proud of their achievements.
The kids in this class are 3 and 4 years old. It's 30 minutes twice per week. I chat with other parents and my older son while I am there. I don't, however, feel ok about spending that 30 minutes only looking at my phone.
Every parent has their own parenting styles and that's fine...better than fine. This just happens to be mine.
Quoting thecoffeefairy:
I allow my kids the freedom to do things without me hovering.
I will either bring a book if they leave me in a waiting room or something but most of the time I am watching because he has to practice at home and I want to make sure I notice that he is getting his form right. I blame it on the fact that I was raised in a martial arts home.
Depends. When my son (10y/o) is at football practice I stay at practice on the sidelines but usually talk to other parents as I watch him on the field. Sometimes when they rotate through drills he is too far away for me to watch so I wait until he comes in closer to where we are.
It's the same with basketball~ I watch but also chat with other parents.
I'm not a big cell phone person but I have brought a book/magazine along to practices.
Quoting jenuresti5:I had my girls in dance and gymnastics and would watch them but i would also do other things because if they saw me watching too closely they would get distracted.
Yes. When I take dd to her dance lessons, I sit and watch her classes. I love watching my daughter dance. I am the same way when my kids are playing soccer. I sit and watch, and cheer them on. I see so many parents chatting away on their phones, or reading something on their e readers. I have even seen jerks playing games on their phones or reading books and magazines during school plays, and dance recitals. I personally think it is rude. Even if my kid isn't on stage performing at that exact moment, I will pay attention to what is going on on the stage.
is it ok ?
- Kris0806
on Nov. 16, 2012 at 1:22 AM