Look at Me: How the Smartphone Changed Parenting

Three adults. Two Kids. Zero connection.

Author

Maria Marchewka
August 12, 2025

In partnership with

I had an "ah-ha" moment last week. 

There were three adults, two kids, and five sets of eyeballs glued to screens. 

The kids were playing their games, and the adults were scrolling, and all I could think in that moment was,

❝

This isn’t how it’s supposed to be.

It feels like every minute there's a new ding, buzz, or ring vying for our attention. 

The “Hey, Dad, look at me!” requests get a "One second" response that turns into ten minutes. 

Sounds familiar, right?

Parents now are juggling everything from market updates to group chats and Slack pings to news alerts in the palm of their hands.

And, in the background, there is usually a kid trying to get your attention. 

It's not just the random heel clicks that they think are the best tricks or the LEGO towers, it's the moments that slip through our fingers while we hold them off to handle "just one more thing."

We’ve all been there.

Smartphones have revolutionized parenting in unimaginable ways, keeping us informed, connected, and financially savvy. 

But they've also cratered our ability to be fully engaged with our kids.

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It's easier than ever to stay updated and harder than ever to stay present.

So, it begs the questions:

  • How do I balance staying connected with work and staying connected to my kids?

  • Are we trading moments with our kids for fleeting digital distractions?

This conversation matters.

It's time for us to get back our attention, restore our connections, and rediscover the joy that comes with it.

Our kids couldn't care less about the next market update. All they care about is spending time with us.

Put down the phone. Look up. See them. Embrace the moment.

— Andrew

Capital Markets Dad

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