Child reading while mother on social media

[SuperGinger]

I saw a mum on the tube with a small boy, he was doing his reading to her, she was not listening at all, just doom scrolling through rubbish on Instagram. He would finish a page and she didn't notice (until about 10 seconds had passed, during which he just sat there), she would then turn the page.

I know that listening to your small child reading can be boring but AIBU to think she should try to pay attention and be present? It is setting a bad example to her child and is disrespectful and frankly sad.

Then on the Today programme they are discussing the negative impact of phones on children and how helpless parents feel, but you read what you sow.

Would you be right to judge though? To what ends? To feel superior?

We are all our phones too much, it's true.

But taking a child to school on public transport during rush hour is not 'quality time' together, it's hell on earth. I don't see why we should expect parents who have to do this to also be on their parenting A-game everyday in the eyes of those around them. Parenting is a constant thing and of course it's sad if she never interacts with the child including at home, but it's not some sort of public spectator sport.

Maybe you missed my first comment where I said she was BU. And maybe you missed the end of this comment where I said you just don't know either way.