Gadgets have taken over our lives. Rohini tells us how we often ignore our children, until they open our eyes. An exclusive for Different Truths.

Gadgets have become an integral part of our life. Of all the gadgets, mobile gets most of the attention. This device is no longer a call machine, is a mini laptop, catering to an individual’s need such as internet banking, ticket booking, social media involvement, and many such activities. In fact, when we wake up, the first thing we look for in the morning is our mobile and our day ends with it. This wasn’t enough, we got our kids also involved in this mobile mania. A small child refuses to eat, we immediately open up YouTube and give it to the child. If he/she is crying, we play a song for their entertainment.

When kids are bogging our minds, we give them mobiles to keep them busy. And when they grow up with this habit, we scold them.

When kids are bogging our minds, we give them mobiles to keep them busy. And when they grow up with this habit, we scold them. We (parents) want them to be away, but they don’t listen. We want to lessen their screen time, but still, they don’t listen. Thrashing, scolding, gifts, chocolates, pamper, everything fails in front of the mobile. Let us analyse deeply…whose fault is this? Kids or ours?

A few days back, my daughter asked me to play chess. At that time, I was busy on mobile writing an important article. I told her that we shall play after a while.

A few days back, my daughter asked me to play chess. At that time, I was busy on mobile writing an important article. I told her that we shall play after a while. She came back to me after 10 minutes. I again told her to give me an hour’s time. She just nodded her head and went back. I knew that I would take more time on mobile. She came after a while and again asked me to play. This time I did not say no to her and got ready to play with her. We were just about to start the game, my mobile started to beep with messages. I immediately picked it and started to check them.

She politely said, “Mama please keep the mobile, we are about to start the game.”

I said, “Just give me a sec baby, let me check the messages, there could be an important message also.”

“Am I not important for you? I have been telling you to play with me for such a long time and you are busy on your mobile…”

To this statement of mine she got furious and burst out at me, “Am I not important for you? I have been telling you to play with me for such a long time and you are busy on your mobile. You don’t love me.”

I immediately kept down my phone and hugged her.

“Of course, I love you, honey. You are the most important part of my life; in fact, you are my life. I was just doing something important dear. Mama is really sorry,” I assured her.

She cooled down and we then played many matches together.

Kids imitate what we do, and then we scold them. But when they scold us, we realise our mistake.

I am sure many of us do this. Kids imitate what we do, and then we scold them. But when they scold us, we realise our mistake. Gadgets are an important part of our life, but these years of our kids would never come back. So, let’s try to be with them and relive our childhood again.

Photos from the Internet