Walking the Path

Recently I was asked, “How do you deal with kids who spend their whole time on digital devices?” 

Although the answer is longer than we have time for in this post, the first thing I discussed was how, as a parent, we have to lead by example. If you spend all of your time with your face in a screen, then your children will mimic the behaviour of their greatest hero – You!

If you walk in the front door looking at your phone, take calls the dinner table, check your phone first thing in the morning, sit poolside on your phone while on holiday or take calls in the park while pushing them on the swing, then your children will think that it is perfectly normal and acceptable behaviour.

The guy who asked the question said, “Yes, I’m aware of that,” to which I replied, “You may be aware of it, but are you doing it?” There’s a great comment in the film, The Matrix which says, “Neo, sooner or later you’re going to realise just as I did, that there’s a difference between knowing the path and walking the path.”

So, starting today, audit yourself. Even though you may know you shouldn’t be on your phone when with your children, are you actually doing it?
​
There’s a difference between knowing the path and walking the path.