TTYL: Texting Is Disconnecting You From Your Family

While driving the other night, I noticed a couple in the distance. They were taking a relaxing evening stroll. How great that this couple took the time and decided to enjoy each other's company, I thought to myself. Then as I drove by, I noticed that both of them were on their BlackBerries, texting away.

Today we live next to each other, but reside in our very own world.

There have been countless articles discussing the impact of cell phones and texting on our children's lives. Concerned parents attend workshops where we are taught how to monitor access to the internet and movies on our kids' phones. There are worries about compromising pictures that are sent, and the effect of constant texting.

I believe we need to be just as concerned about the family environment we're creating as we parents become addicted to our phones and BlackBerries.

How often do we pick up our children at school holding our phones in one hand and greeting our children with a distracted hello as we finish our conversation? "Just one more minute," we motion, with a cautionary finger pointed in the air.

If we are so fortunate to have children who want to tell us about their day, how can we blow it by texting and talking to those who are not even with us?

How many times do we go to a restaurant and believe that we're spending great family time? But if you look closely, you'll find parents and children alike with their eyes engrossed as they stare downward. Each individual is looking at their screen texting others while ignoring the family that sits right beside them.

Unknowingly, we have built invisible barriers that obstruct our connecting with the ones we are supposed to love most.

More here