Calm in the Chaos - Tips for a Better Life
8 Ways To Be A Present Parent & Avoid Digital Distractions
by Jamie Spannhake
May 30, 2020

A longer version of this post first appeared at Smart Social.
Kids get a bad rap for spending too much time on their devices, but with emails to answer, deadlines to meet, and social media feeds to catch up on – many parents are just as guilty. It can sometimes be tough to be a more present parent.
Digital distractions are now a daily struggle for many moms and dads. But continual chirps and dings don’t have to constantly distract you from family life.
SmartSocial.com reached out to eight busy parents to get their best tips for being a more present parent in today’s digital world. I was one of those parents!
Here's my tip: Set auto-responders for off-hours work emails.
"One of the many digital items pulling our focus away from our families is email from work. I can get email on my phone well past 5:00 pm.
In order to feel comfortable NOT responding to work email during family time, in the afternoons and evening, set an auto-responder letting people know that you will respond to their email either late that evening or early the next morning.
Also let them know to text you if they have an emergency. Most people won’t."
The post provides great advice from seven other busy parents, including:
--Set professional boundaries so remote work won’t interfere with family time, from Suzanne Brown, Mother, Author, TED Speaker, and Founder of Mompowerment.
--Silence phone notifications while children are present, from Emily Adams, Mother, Mindset Coach, and Public Speaker.
--Re-engage your inner child and be a more playful and present parent, from Caitlyn Scaggs, Mother and University Spokesperson.
You can read the full post here.
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