3 ms·

Wow, this article kind of made me gag. "...absolutely nothing on any screen that is more important than the time I spend with my kid...". Well then you should

by efa 13y ago

Wow, this article kind of made me gag. "...absolutely nothing on any screen that is more important than the time I spend with my kid...". Well then you should quick your job, never go out with friends, never read a book - because hey, they aren't as important as spending time with your daughter. As a father of three, I've learned it's okay to drift after playing Candyland for the 10th time. It's called being human. Your child isn't some precious stone you need to admire 24 hours a day - it's okay to live your life too. And you're in trouble if they begin to feel it's your job to entertain them every minute of the day.

PhasmaFelis 13y ago
Come on, man, you're just being a pedant here. If I say "spending time with family and friends is the most important thing in my life," that doesn't mean I've quit my job and stopped sleeping so I can hang out 24/7. It just means that this one thing trumps all others if there's a conflict. Which is exactly what the author's saying. "Nothing on any screen is more important than the time I spend with my kid." When he's spending time with his kid, all other things are secondary. When he's not, other things are okay.
clarky07 13y ago
That isn't what he said at all. In context, the point was clearly that while he was actively spending time with his daughter, he wanted to be spending time with his daughter. He never said anything about quitting his job so he could spend 24 hours a day with her. He simply said that while he was spending time with her, he should actually do it and not be on his phone instead.
joshrivers 13y ago
This. Kids watch adults to learn the adult behaviors that lead to safety, community, and procreative success. If the only lesson they ever learn is that their behavior when bored is the center of the universe, they are going to have a hard time as adults. Around your children, you should behave in a way that is reasonable and ethical and safe for an adult to behave. You should also make it your first and highest priority that they don't die. If you do those things, then go ahead and play with your smartphone. Chances are, when your kids grow up, they will find work, friends, information, and entertainment valuable as well. There is no harm in teaching them that you value those things too.

by efa 13y ago

PhasmaFelis 13y ago

Come on, man, you're just being a pedant here. If I say "spending time with family and friends is the most important thing in my life," that doesn't mean I've quit my job and stopped sleeping so I can hang out 24/7. It just means that this one thing trumps all others if there's a conflict. Which is exactly what the author's saying. "Nothing on any screen is more important than the time I spend with my kid." When he's spending time with his kid, all other things are secondary. When he's not, other things are okay.

clarky07 13y ago

That isn't what he said at all. In context, the point was clearly that while he was actively spending time with his daughter, he wanted to be spending time with his daughter. He never said anything about quitting his job so he could spend 24 hours a day with her. He simply said that while he was spending time with her, he should actually do it and not be on his phone instead.

joshrivers 13y ago

This. Kids watch adults to learn the adult behaviors that lead to safety, community, and procreative success. If the only lesson they ever learn is that their behavior when bored is the center of the universe, they are going to have a hard time as adults. Around your children, you should behave in a way that is reasonable and ethical and safe for an adult to behave. You should also make it your first and highest priority that they don't die. If you do those things, then go ahead and play with your smartphone. Chances are, when your kids grow up, they will find work, friends, information, and entertainment valuable as well. There is no harm in teaching them that you value those things too.