Sir, – I write to you in response to two recent letters “The sadness of not being present for your child,” (October 1st) and “A sad sight”, September 28th) written by well-meaning observers who felt that children were being neglected because their parent(s) was using a mobile phone in their presence.
Modern life, and thus modern parenting, is conducted to an ever-increasing extent online. As a parent of four young children, I use an app for grocery ordering and delivery in order to feed my children.
I use a SmartHome app to adjust the heating, open the blinds, answer the doorbell and turn on the sound system in our family home.
My children’s national school uses an app to send information to, and make requests of, parents. I make and confirm GP and dental appointments for my children online. I browse, select and purchase clothes, sports gear, Halloween costumes and books for my children online.
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I browse, book and confirm sports, clubs and after-school activities for my children online. I read and reply to countless messages from the WhatsApp groups to which my fellow parents and I belong.
The children observed by the writers of the aforementioned letters were, in the first instance, enjoying an al fresco breakfast in a cafe. The observed parent may have been on their mobile device researching the location of a local playground, or even e-mailing some family photos to a beloved grandparent.
In the second instance, the child observed was taking public transport with their parent; perhaps they were en route to a child-friendly activity which had been booked online and the parent was now searching for directions to that destination using an app on their phone. From the reading of both letters, neither child was observed to be unsafe or unloved.
Perhaps, all members of society need to look more kindly on parents who are doing their best to raise their children in an increasingly judgmental and isolating world. However, I don’t know any parent who wouldn’t look up from their digital To Do List when told by a smiling stranger that their child is beautiful and they must be doing a great job as a parent. – Yours, etc,
DEIRDRE BYRNE,
Coachford,
Cork.
