Create Memories With Families Not Phones
Have you ever wondered why we do not bond well with our extended family members as much as our parents did during their younger days? The simple answer is that in the past, family meetings were done physically with no distractions like phones and other gadgets.
Unlike today where families hold their meetings on Zoom and other video-call platforms because everyone seems to be very busy with their time. When scheduling our activities for the month or year, we do not seem to include special family time because we deem it unnecessary.
We might not even notice, but the major reason we do not make out enough time for most physical family meetings is because we have found other family members through our phones online, hehe. Follow as I explain better.
Technology and social media platforms have made us invest our time and energy into getting fans and followers online. Sometimes these fans appreciate and encourage us to continue doing what we are doing in the platform, and gradually we see ourselves addicted to both the platform and the fans (which I regard to be our new family).
So sometimes even when we are in our real family meetings, we can't help but be busy with our phones. It is very obvious that the average youth of today is more addicted to his phone than to anything else in this world. An average Gen-Z kid with a smartphone wouldn't mind spending 15-16 hours in a day on his phone.
If we could give up our nights of sleep just to stay awake operating our phones, then I think staying without our phones in a family meeting would be a very huge challenge for us. But if I am to give my humble opinion, I think it would be better if phone usage are banned in family meetings.
This reminded me of an incident that happened in the early part of last year between one of my very good girlfriends and her fiance. Jenny invited me to come and witness her knocking of door (The introduction and payment of her bride price).
We were all gathered together to welcome our to-be in-laws as they came to introduce themselves and pay the pride price. Everything was going well as both parents of Jenny and her fiance were discussing happily, but we observed that Jenny's fiance was always on his phone for the greater part of the introduction.
It was so obvious that Jenny's mum took her daughter to the corner and told her to cancel and reject this suitor. Jenny's mum insisted that this suitor was very disrespectful and might treat her badly in the marriage. Jenny refused to reject him as she defended him saying he was just a phone person.
Jenny and her husband went on to get married afterward and today they are one of the happiest couples I know. This showed me that even when we are busy with our phones in a family meeting, our intentions might still be genuine, but that doesn't change the fact that we would look disrespectful in the eyes of others.
This is the reality of our family meetings today, everyone is checking on one update or the other, forgetting that real family bonding is formed by continuous physical interactions. Families are one of the greatest gifts given to us by God because we can choose our friends, not our families.
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Phones seem to be the biggest distractions to family bonding because the time and attention that we are supposed to use for our family members would be spent on virtual things that could fade away.
I would conclude this piece by advising that we take out quality time to spend with family members and loved ones. Nobody would necessarily ban you from using your phone in a family gathering, but for the sake of respect and better bonding with family members, it would be best to keep our distractions (especially phones) aside and enjoy the moment that could become a sweet memory someday.
I appreciate your time around here❤️:-)
I agree, glad I followed and read how you explained everything better to my understanding, how would you grade me now? The use of phones should be banned during family times cause these moments enable us to create amazing memories we would carry on forever and not let our phones ruin it, so the use of phones should always be banned in family gatherings.
hehe, thanks for following so closely my dear, I think many of our fellow youth are too distracted to bond with family members even during family gatherings because they have other options on their phones. Memories made from love and bond lasts longer than memories made with cameras, lol.
hahaha that story of jenny reminds me of my friend who is so much addicted to phone, we used to say that after getting married, you and your wife will chat through your cell phones, and it happens the same way, whenever he is with us, he is busy with his wife on cell phone, we do make fun of him that you guys dont talk at home? well thats the truth and reality of today's life, it is so difficult to make someone understands the importance of gathering while avoiding their cell phones.
Smiles, phone addiction is really on the rise among many people of this generation. I just hope more people could see the need to keep this addictions aside even for a while to bond better with family members and loved ones.
I am just worried about the next generation, well lets just hope for the best
I guess phone time should be controlled during family time especially on some important occasions. Being a phone person should also make one strike a balance between interpersonal relationships and technology, my input though.
You have said well dear friend, even when you are a phone person, you should know when to keep that device aside, especially on important occasions, it would show of respect. Really appreciate your time here dearie.