I am sick of being addicted to my phone.. sorry this is an upsetting rant from me

[cutoutaddiction]

Ironic im typing this on my phone but everyone is in bed asleep and I cannot sleep, got a lot on my mind.

I'm so fed up and tired of it. I have been addicted to my phone for as long as I can remember. Every night for hours on end up up on my phone instead of reading a book or doing some knitting. I am on it more than I am not. I have a toddler who deserves and needs my attention and I am a shit mum for not giving him it. The first thing I do in the morning is look at my phone and then I go back on it while having a cup of tea, then I get ready, go back on my phone again, do things in between... I almost threw it against the wall but I remained calm and just put it down. I hate the thing and it is ruling my life! I WANT to do other things that I ENJOY. Why am I not enjoying doing things with my toddler? Why am I a lazy cow for not taking him to the park? Or do some colouring? Why do I feel like I have to actually go toilet at work so I can whip out my phone and check that's going on? I can't do this anymore.

Please can someone tell me what to do to occupy mine and my DS time throughout the day when I'm off work? Should I just throw this shitty fucking thing that's controlling my life? I don't want my baby to feel neglected anymore. He deserves more than a shit mum who'd rather sit on her fat arse and play on her phone instead of spending precious time with him.

I just want to say that I do not have any social media platform whatsoever, but I still find myself addicted to googling and reading most pointless and ridiculous articles that have no relevance to my life

If it’s enough of a problem and you really want to stop, have you considered an old fashioned handset like a nokia?

I have considered that. The only problem is on WhatsApp I have a very supportive group that I am on. That's the only way I am able to actually socialise as I never see or talk to anyone face to face. I am quite a lonely introvert unfortunately.

I often feel the same. I have introduced various rules that help reduce the addiction but I can’t seem to totally knock it on the head.

For me I put a screen time limit on my phone so it locks me out of the internet after 3 hours use a day.

Sunday’s are no phone days.

Phone can’t come to the table during meals. All meals much be eaten with the kids at the table.

If I sit to play a game with one of the kids then the phone must be out of the room.

No watching tv with phone, if I want to mess about with the phone then the tv must be off.

I have this issue as well. It really is quite bad. I have an iPhone and it tells me how many hours I have used it for and on what 😬 I've put all my apps on a setting now. So they are blocked from 8am till 7pm, then the block is off (automatically does this) I use my phone when baby is asleep. I sound like a little child but it has really helped

Can you just put it away in a drawer somewhere, maybe in your bedroom upstairs so it's out of the way? Let yourself have a look at it when your toddler has a nap but otherwise don't touch it.
I know some phones will limit your screen time, not sure if your phone has that function?

I feel your pain. My weekend has been wasted and the kids like zombies on their games too. Because it's essential in some ways it's hard to make the break - and I'm a lone parent so it plugs the social gap. I wonder does hypnosis work on this, like smoking?

I'm the same at the moment. I've been turning the volume right up (in case someone needs to get hold of me in an emergency) and put it up on top of the kitchen cupboards. If someone calls me, I'll hear it and will go and climb up on a chair to retrieve it. Otherwise, it stays up there.

I generally keep picking it up because it's right there next to me, not because there's anything I actually need to see on there. So being up on top of the kitchen cupboards, it's less tempting. I can't be arsed to climb up there just to waste time scrolling.

I am exactly the same. I could have written this entire post.

It's so useful, I take photos of DC and all my music is on it so can't swap for a brick. I tried a screen limiter but I just turn it off when it happens. I get kind irritable if I've been away from it for too long.

Sorry don't want to hijack OP and I don't have any real advice but you're definitely not the only one.

Can I just add to encourage you that recognising you have a problem is the first step to resolving it
Whatever the addiction/problem is
Hugs - you can do this!

I've tried the screen function time but it doesn't do me any good tbh. And I think the hypothesis works the same way. However I am intrigued to think many years ago before smartphones were invented, how did single parents get on? My mum was a single parent half way through my life. She managed without friends and a smartphone just fine. I have tried going to toddler groups so that I do not feel isolated but I didn't fit in and everyone just seemed very up themselves, the perfect parent and perfect kids. I am trying not to judge too much and I did try to talk to them but they had their own group circle and I never went back after that.

What are the name of the apps that limit the screen time?

I've tried so many. I think if you just type in screen time in your google play or App Store then a few may pop up. Neither of them worked me for though so I just don't see the point in downloading them.

@JaceLancs thank you. That means a lot

I use an app called Forest when I am working and don't want to distract myself with the phone. You set the timer for minimum 10 mins, maximum 2 hrs and plant a virtual 'tree' - it dies if you use the phone. I like it because when you go to idly Googe something the app is like 'are you sure you not to quit?' and it just reminds you to fous on what you're doing!

I have had this problem too but have got better . Set yourself 20 mins in morn and afternoon to browse it . Put it in your bag or up high and get a book or jigsaws and okay with your son . Precious time . I feel so less stressed not being on it all the time .
I was getting worried when I was on it 3 to 4 hours per day and my eyes felt it too .
Do you like to read books ?

I am making myself randomly put my phone down in the house so when I want it it isn't right next to me. Mostly I can't be bothered to go and find it so it is helping me a bit to cut down my screen time
I balanced it on the bath the other day and forfeit it was there, it was lost for 6 hours....I got so much done!!

• while not forfeit 🤪

I am so obviously from a different generation because I don't understand this addiction to phone thing.
Can you not just put it down/ switch it off?
Do you not have other things that heed doing?

Set aside time a day to use the phone. I use mine in the morning for 15 mins before kids get up whilst I have a cup of tea. Then afte lunch while kids have some TV I have half hour catch up with mumsnet, news etc. Then once kids in bed I may use for half hour in evening. I have to intermittently check for work emails but that's it. It does sound like you are using it a lot. Get a old fashioned phone maybe

Me too.

I use social media for work leads as well. I'm good at finding funny/interesting nuggets and sharing them with a bit of spin about my work.

Means I use it as an excuse.

You must do 2 things ASAP:

1. Get rid of your smart phone & switch to a Nokia.

and, most important,

1. Find some Mother & Baby/Toddler groups where you can meet real people in the real world who are just like yourself.

Even in the age of the internet, life still exists in the real world! Best regards.

You sound generally unhappy and a bit isolated, OP. It's not surprising you use your phone a lot if you have next to no adult company. Are there any other toddler groups near you, if the one you tried didn't suit you? Are there things you are interested in that might have a family-friendly aspect to their groups?