Need to stop using my phone around toddler

[MeltdownCentral1]

Hi all.
Feel terribly guilty admitting this but I've realised I need to be way more present around my toddler. I suffered terrible PND and PNA when she was younger and got into the habit of distracting myself with my phone- constantly googling her symptoms etc. Unfortunately this has evolved and now I just feel the need to reply to messages and emails straight away, check social media etc. I really need to break the habit and I want her to feel seen and heard whenever I'm with her.

I wanted to ask-
Do you use your phones around your little ones? And if not, when on earth do you catch up with messages and emails? I work from home part time but it's my own business so I've slipped in terms of setting clear boundaries around my time- something I definitely need to address.

Any advice is welcome.

Check them at a couple of set times a day.

You could do it when she naps, but I don’t think it matters if she’s there as long as it’s infrequent

Endless checking if messages is a total waste of time and fries your head

Change your settings and put it on a snooze. Limit the phone use for certain times of the day

Increase your set working hours slightly? If you’re struggling to manage the load of emails, or hire someone to manage the emails? Like a PA for a couple of hours a week - I use Pay-as-you-go-PA and they’re great.

I use it far far too much. I'm ok if we are out and about but when we are stuck indoors I'm terrible. I'd like to throw it away. I'm addicted.

I had this and I’ve slipped back. What worked for me was putting my phone in a different room.

Me too. If I let it run out of battery, I can't be bothered to charge it again, so that works for me.

Maybe go for a walk, rather than sitting around? Or plan a different kids activity like painting that will be interesting to you, too. Like pp, I'm only like this with my phone when I'm at home.

You can get apps like forest which 'lock' your phone screen. That one grows a tree of you leave it alone for the amount of time you choose so over the day/week etc it grows a forest but there are others.

You can use the settings to make sure certain people can still call you or override it in an emergency etc

Deleted social media today. Yes! I actually feel like that is my main use for phone, so I’m hoping I can stay off it. Maybe those of us who are struggling with phone usage could boost each other up and help with bringing it down. I’ve found going on the laptop helps for mumsnet and social media like Instagram (keeping this one not Facebook or the others). I also only charge mine on a night x

I downloaded minimalist phone app the other day. It's great. I also turn my phone off lots, what a relief, or leave it in a different room.