Preschooler demands: ‘Put down your phone’

It’s amazing how quickly we forget important lessons.

A headline I saw last weekend reminded me of one I had only recently learned. And already forgotten. Put down your phone when with children – or anyone else for that matter.

The article – “Kids are starting a revolution to get their parents to put down their phones” – was about a 7-year-old boy in Germany who got upset when his parents paid more attention to their cell phones than to him. Unlike most kids, he went public to address the issue.

Fortunately, his parents got his message and helped him. They organized a demonstration in Hamburg, Germany, joined by 150 people to encourage parents to “put down your phones.”

The slogan: “Play with ME, not with your cell phones!”

Why would anyone rather mess around with a cell phone than play with this adorable child?

Apparently, the complaint is fairly widespread. A U.S. survey found that 33 percent of 1,000 kids between 13 and 17 wished their parents would get off their devices when they’re together. 

Surprising, right? Today’s teens would actually think “put down your phone?”

Although 16 percent said they almost constantly used social media and 22 percent used it several times an hour, it still says something about kids missing their parents when they get sucked in like they do.

Besides missing out on personal face-to-face interactions, cell phone attachment while others are around is just rude. What are we telling our children or grandchildren? 

Busted by 3-year-old

My 3-year-old granddaughter recently admonished me for using my cell phone when she wanted to play.

One morning before her preschool started in August, she said she had a new game for us to play.

It required us sitting on the floor opposite each other a few feet apart with legs spread out. She would roll the marble her sweet brother had given her the day before and I should roll it back to her.

Ok, sounds exciting. With cell phone in one hand so I could keep reading the headlines of the day, I plopped myself down as instructed.

“Put down your phone,” she said, pointing to the nearby coffee table where I should put it. I explained I could still play while reading.

“No, put down your phone,” she insisted without a hint of a smile. She wasn’t messing around. 

She wanted my undivided attention and she wanted it NOW. I looked at her precious but quite serious face as she slightly tilted her head as if to say “Well? I’m waiting!”

I put down the phone. For the next few days, she occasionally had to remind me to put down my phone while we were playing her funny games. 

Ashamed of my rudeness

But I totally got it. I, too, have issues when people around me are so glued to their phones, they don’t even know I’m present.

Then her preschool started and we were together only half of the day. I gradually got back in the habit of scrolling through my phone distractedly at every opportunity, particularly while we’re eating lunch.

That is, until I came across this article. Shame on me was all I could think.

My granddaughter is much more important than that addictive device I carry around.

I’ll give it another shot. I’ll pay more attention to Chloe while we’re together. The phone can wait until her nap time.

Hopefully, she’ll never have to say “put down your phone” to me again.