Are you familiar with the term “Parental Phubbing”? It refers to the behavior where parents prioritize their phones over their children. This phenomenon is prevalent in various settings such as malls, parks, and even at home. Another common occurrence is during pick-up times from schools and daycares.
While children eagerly await their parents’ arrival after a long day apart, their parents often fail to put down their phones for just a few minutes to greet them. In response to this issue, a daycare center in Hockley, Texas took a bold step. They displayed a controversial sign on their front door, urging parents to get off their phones and acknowledge their children.
The sign reads, “Your child is happy to see you! Are you happy to see your child?” Clearly, the staff at the daycare center had witnessed numerous instances of parents disregarding their children, prompting them to emphasize the importance of prioritizing family time over phone usage.
The sign serves as a reminder of how frequently children attempt to share their accomplishments from the day, only to be ignored by their parents. Children may call out to their parents, desperately seeking attention, only to be brushed off because the content on their parents’ phones is deemed more important.
One mother, Juliana Mazurkewics, noticed the sign and realized that she too had been guilty of such behavior. Before greeting her child, she captured a photo of the sign and then put her phone away. Later, Juliana shared the image on Facebook, and it quickly went viral.
Opinions about the sign were divided. Some individuals loved the bold statement it made, suggesting that similar signs should be displayed in every daycare center or school where children are picked up. On the other hand, there were those who criticized the sign, deeming it disrespectful.
“I love this,” commented Saundra Lloyd, “This should be in every daycare or school where kids are being picked up.” Simone Campbell, a qualified educator, expressed her agreement with the concept but disagreed with the sign’s tone, considering it disrespectful. Rose Littlejohn added, “Some parents will always defend their wrongs. No phone call is more important than your child’s feelings… period.”
Regardless of one’s stance on the sign’s bluntness in calling out parents, the issue itself warrants discussion. As stated in an article on Very Well Mind, when children feel ignored, they can experience feelings of loneliness, rejection, or depression. The article highlights that when children feel rejected, they often act out in various ways. In their desperate quest for attention, they may resort to both positive and negative behaviors.
Although excessive phone use is often associated with teenagers and young adults, they learned this behavior from somewhere. Parents serve as their children’s first teachers, and their actions are readily imitated. If you desire a stronger and more meaningful bond with your children, it is crucial to set aside your phones and actively engage with them.
