You can’t deny that every family comes with its challenges. But as the influence of technology has spread, so has the distance between family members. The family unit has been one of the biggest casualties in the technological expanse that happened over the past decade.
Don't forget to get your DORA Score™ which provides a free 5-minute measurement of how much technology is impacting your life.
Family dinners are an integral aspect of many families throughout the country. Today it’s nearly impossible to see a family out at a restaurant without at least one person on their phone, though. Devices interrupt family time for both parents and children alike.
Still, a family is one of the most important parts of life. Whether it is blood family or chosen family, everyone needs a solid group of people they can rely on. How can you keep your phone from distracting you during family time? (Also read: 5 Ways to Avoid Looking At Your Phone Every 5 Minutes) These 20 family bonding quotes might help.
Family is there for us at the beginning and the end of our lives. Focus on spending time away from your phone and with the during those in-between moments, too.
Constant connection with tech made it even easier to bring work home at the end of the day. But no amount of money or prestige that can supplement the connection with your family.
Some parents find themselves distracted from their children as they scroll through social media. If this is you, realize set an example for your children with your actions. You’re likely missing out on the examples they can show you, too.
Family isn’t built without actively working on building those familial connections. If you’re distracted by your phone, you send a message that their time is less important than your tech. Remember that your phone can wait when you’re spending time with your family.
No family member will be perfect at every moment of every day. It takes love and attention to work on those relationships, though, that isn’t available when you’re glued to your phone.
Think about the times you have something you want to share with someone. Does it hurt when they won’t look up from their phone to listen? Cultivate respect and joy with your family members by providing the attention and connection that humans crave.
Showing up for your family members, whether at important events or just for family dinner, lets them know you care. Put your phone away and be there for your family. Your device can wait.
There is a massive difference between a house and a home. If you’re in a house full of people who live on their phones and lack a connection with one another, that house is far from a home.
Many people take their families for granted. They act as if they’ve always been there so they’ll continue to always be there but that isn’t always the case. Life happens and nothing is guaranteed. Living in the moment with your family instead of your phone keeps you from missing out on every valuable moment.
Your family will fall short at times and so will you. Instead of staying separated by tech devices, come together as a family unit to support one another. You can only achieve your best by having a supportive unit there for you at your worst.
Again, too many people take their families for granted. You might assume that your parents or siblings will live long enough for you to go see them “later.” If you don’t work on those relationships with your family now, though, you might lose that home before you realize it.
Social media sells you lies throughout the day, tricking you into believing that you’re just short of the infamous “normal.” You get lost in newsfeeds of everyone’s seemingly perfect life and feel more inferior the longer you scroll. The secret, though? No one is normal.
It might feel like your family will always be there if your family has always been there, but that’s not always true. Make time for your family members without the distraction of your phone. Go out to dinner, watch a concert, or play a game together!
People often take their family for granted without realizing that they might not always be there. Make sure that you make time for your family and without letting the distractions of technology get in the way.
The isolating nature of technology makes it feel like you need to accomplish things on your own. Ask your family for help, though, because you can’t always carry the weight.
Maybe your family member is the one who struggles with self-reliance. Asking how you can help instead of isolating yourself in return will bring you closer together!
You might have an exceptional career or made a massive difference in the lives of others, but how do you treat your family? Put your phone away and pay attention to your family members. They are just as deserving of your time as anything else in your life.
Establishing a spirit of helpfulness in your home builds a positive family environment. It’s up to both parents and children to put their phones away and spend time together. Parents can leave work at work and children can save games and social media for free time. Working together to help each other will make a world of difference in your family.
It’s important to know how to apologize, especially with your family. You won’t always get along but if you know how to admit your mistakes, like having a hard time being present, you’ll do better in the long run.
Just as you should learn to apologize, families should learn to forgive one another as well. If you or a family member are working on reducing time spent on devices, understand and forgive when slips happen. Moving forward with forgiveness is the only way to move on through the difficulties that inevitably arise.