Surreal (funny/tragic) conversations with My Child (I’ll use the MC abbreviation) who is 4 on the way to pre-school this morning.
The scene: I’m walking fast and she’s riding on her scooter. There is an older child (maybe 10yo) ahead of us. He’s walking alone with his head bent down looking at a smartphone and is completely unaware of the environment around him. He almost crashes into us because his eyes are glued to the smartphone.
MC: « Mom! Is he a child? And he has a phone?!? »
Me: « Yes. Some parents give phones to their children. It’s not very good for him not to look at the street while he walks. You know, experts say it’s not good to give children smartphones and parents should wait as long as possible. »
MC: « But YOU have a phone. »
Me: « Yes but I’m an adult. And I have self-restraint. It’s not good for children’s development. You should play, paint, read books…. Not look down at a screen. »
MC: « When can I have a phone? »
Me: « When you’re older we can give you a phone that only makes phone calls. »
MC: « They exist?!? »
Me: « What? »
MC: « Phones that only make calls? »
Me: 💀 « Yes my dear. You could even send text messages. »
MC: « Great! So I will send messages to M » (her best friend who just moved abroad)
I wish I could pause time 🥹
