Walking and Talking

Cell Phone Free or Chat It Up?

March 5, 2008

A friend of mine was walking down the street the other day pushing her tot in a stroller. As she ambled along, she made a call to her mum on her cell phone. A stranger walking alongside her caught her off guard when she blatantly said, "Get off your phone and talk to that baby!"

There are some parents who are constantly on their phones with babies in tow. Obviously the more time spent chatting with your own babe, the better, but aren't mamas entitled to a lil mommy–me time every now and then?

Do you talk on the phone when walking your wee one?
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21 Comments

supermommie 5 years 7 weeks

Spend time talking to your baby. I think babies develop so much better when mommie and daddy talk to them. You can talk to grandma during nap time. Besides think of what you are missing. Trust me, when they are 13 and 14 you will have plenty of time to talk to grandma cause the kids won't want to talk to you!!SM

supermommie 5 years 7 weeks

macneil 5 years 11 weeks

Agree with many of the comments above. You CANNOT talk to your child all the time, and sometimes your baby doesn't want you to! She's taking things in, looking around. Why do people always have to find new ways to give mothers a hard time and new ways to be guilty.

Brendelwoman 5 years 11 weeks

That is ridiculous. Yes, I know some people who are tied to their cell phones and they tend to be really stressed out, but children do not need our constant interaction! They need to learn that the world does not revolve around them. There will be phone calls and talking to other people!

keiren63 5 years 11 weeks

Just because the technology is available doesn't mean you have to use it...I honestly don't know why people feel obliged, now, to make/take phone calls all the time. If it's not an emergency, why can't it wait until you're home?

Schaianne 5 years 11 weeks

Ok, what business is it of that stranger's? How does she know if this is an occasional thing or maybe something very important? For shame!!

MotoLinz 5 years 11 weeks

I personally don't - more because I'm afraid I'd be more tuned into my conversation than traffic.

amers230 5 years 11 weeks

i hate how some people feel the need to butt into other people's situations. i don't even have kids but the idea that someone would actually comment on something like that drives me nuts. people need to worry about their own lives.

vickibug 5 years 11 weeks

What irks me about this is people who can't mind their own business. Of course I talk on the phone while I'm with my daughter...I agree with Greggie, she doesn't need my undivided attention 24/7. Yes, my daughter is my focus, but kids need to realize that Mommy has a life too.

Greggie 5 years 11 weeks

Yup, I talk on my phone in my child's presence. Why wouldn't I? My children do not need my undivided attention 24 hours a day. It doesn't make a difference if I'm at home or out and about. In fact, out and about is probably a better way to talk without "cheating" my children out of time, since the baby's far more likely to be asleep in the sling than she is hanging out at home.

JessNess 5 years 11 weeks

*oops know it all

JessNess 5 years 11 weeks

*oops know it all

JessNess 5 years 11 weeks

Jen is right- no body walking down the street knows the situation that is going on. BTW who constantly talks to their kid while they are in a stroller out for a walk, specially when the baby is not at a talking age :oy: That is a stupid rude comment for that person to make. I really do not like self righteous not it all people like that

jennifer76 5 years 11 weeks

I rarely pushed my children in a stroller. But, I think the overall point is that people tend to observe a mother for one moment and extrapolate that and pass judgment on all her time. That stranger has no idea whether or not Mom spent the entire day face to face with baby at the center of her attention or whether she consistently ignores baby for other things.My daughter is incredibly strong willed and hates wearing a jacket. After the 32167321534th discussion about whether or not she would wear her jacket, I decided to let her go without a jacket for the brief walk from the house to the car to her brother's school one morning. She's old enough to learn a lesson and this is the South - we were not talking about subzero weather. A woman stopped me and literally raised her voice at me because my daughter was not wearing a jacket. She had no idea what came before or after that moment. Busybody notwithstanding, my tactic worked and my daughter <em>did</em> learn that when Mommy says it's cold and she needs a jacket, she should probably listen.

jennifer76 5 years 11 weeks

I rarely pushed my children in a stroller. But, I think the overall point is that people tend to observe a mother for one moment and extrapolate that and pass judgment on all her time. That stranger has no idea whether or not Mom spent the entire day face to face with baby at the center of her attention or whether she consistently ignores baby for other things. My daughter is incredibly strong willed and hates wearing a jacket. After the 32167321534th discussion about whether or not she would wear her jacket, I decided to let her go without a jacket for the brief walk from the house to the car to her brother's school one morning. She's old enough to learn a lesson and this is the South - we were not talking about subzero weather. A woman stopped me and literally raised her voice at me because my daughter was not wearing a jacket. She had no idea what came before or after that moment. Busybody notwithstanding, my tactic worked and my daughter did learn that when Mommy says it's cold and she needs a jacket, she should probably listen.

Dbtabm 5 years 11 weeks

Why in the world is that anyone's business? You shouldn't ignore the baby of course, but you need to reach out to friends and family as well for your own mental health. Also it does your baby just as much good to hear your voice no matter who you are talking to.

nancita 5 years 11 weeks

I understand the cell phone backlash in this country, because people definitely abuse them. But it doesn't seem fair to give moms dirty looks! Moms are busy and often spend most of their time talking to a baby, so they should be allowed to catch up with friends on walks! Geez.

rgrl 5 years 11 weeks

Yes, I did and I am not ashamed to say it! While walking my baby, it's impossible to talk to them every second. Plus I read that when they are little you should not overwhelm them with information. You can point out a few things along the way and that's all. My son and I got lots of one on one time together, and face to face is better.Geez, people should mind their own business. It makes me very mad when others judge mothers and especially butt in when it's uncalled for! :raspberry:

rgrl 5 years 11 weeks

Yes, I did and I am not ashamed to say it! While walking my baby, it's impossible to talk to them every second. Plus I read that when they are little you should not overwhelm them with information. You can point out a few things along the way and that's all. My son and I got lots of one on one time together, and face to face is better. Geez, people should mind their own business. It makes me very mad when others judge mothers and especially butt in when it's uncalled for! :raspberry:

wingedkiare 5 years 11 weeks

I admit it. I'm a cell phone addict. But that isn't to say that I ignore my child while I'm on the phone, either. If he's awake while we're walking, I'll talk to him while I talk to my mom. And I'll let her talk to him too (since we don't live near each other). But when we get to the park or wherever we're going? I'm off the phone. (Parents on phones while they're at the park drives me insane)

wingedkiare 5 years 11 weeks

I admit it. I'm a cell phone addict. But that isn't to say that I ignore my child while I'm on the phone, either. If he's awake while we're walking, I'll talk to him while I talk to my mom. And I'll let her talk to him too (since we don't live near each other).But when we get to the park or wherever we're going? I'm off the phone. (Parents on phones while they're at the park drives me insane)

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