At the Park

Whenever I'm at the park with my kids, I don't take out my phone. This has several benefits. I give my undivided attention to my children the entire time we're there. It also lets me practice not getting sucked into distractions—work, entertainment, or the mental excuses that pop up: the call I need to make, the email I need to send, the task I forgot to add to my to-do list. My brain gets creative because it wants that dopamine release from the phone. At this point, it's not about social media anymore—it's about grabbing the technological talisman.

Today I was at the park again and watched everyone around me. Most of the parents were on their phones, staring at their screens while their children played. But here's the thing: when children play at the park, a huge part of the fun is asking their parents for help at the swings, monkey bars, or slides. Even more importantly, they want their parents to watch them—across the monkey bars, up the ladders, whatever they're climbing or sliding on. They want their parents present because it means the world to them. It's not only about having fun but also showing their parents what they can do—conquering their fears by climbing a wall or swinging from one bar to the next.

So the next time you're at the park with your children, put the phone away and focus on them.