Do we really need to take our cell phones everywhere?
Filed under: Just For Moms, Gadgets
Do you often wonder if the cell phone is more trouble than it is worth? Sure, it is handy, but do you spend too much time calling someone or waiting for someone to call you? It may cause unnecessary irritability or stress. Your reaction may be similar to that of others. In a study summarized on BBC.com, it was suggested that people are becoming addicted to mobile phones, and causing them to become stressed and irritable. Problem behavior linked to using a mobile in 16% of 106 users who were studied. Problem behaviors linked to using their phone included lying about how much they used them, becoming irritable after using them, or being overly preoccupied with them. The result of this was to cause the user stress. In a separate study to be presented at a later conference, the investigator found blood pressure was lower in those who had given up using mobile phones. I can definitely see some sense in this study. I have a love/hate relationship with my cell phone. I carry it everywhere with me in the diaper bag, my purse, the car, my back pocket.... And while I do believe it is a necessary accessory, or even an appendage at times, I am often irritated when it rings and I have to stop what I am doing to answer it. But I rationalize my obsession by telling myself, "What if one of the kids ends up caught in a tree and must call for my help?" Or another one is, "What if somebody, somewhere has such amazing and wonderful news for me and must reach me at that very moment?" Other times I just desperately need to hear another human voice over the age of 4, and if that means sneaking out onto the patio during my baby's nap to scroll through my cell phone contacts for anybody who might be home or near their cell phone in the middle of the day, then all is the better for it. These are just a few of the reasons I can not bear to leave my phone at home. But for all the times of answering while I am taking the kids to school or chatting while on the sidelines at a soccer game, maybe it might not be such a bad idea to leave it at home. Maybe it is good to take an occasional vacation from the cell phone. It sounds like using it less, as well as not relying on it as much, may also help. What do you think?
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ReaderComments (Page 1 of 1)
9-15-2006 @ 2:52PM
KTP said...You know, I have been thinking about taking a "technology vacation day" away from all phones, computers, etc. I think it's a great idea.
Schwarzenegger just signed a bill outlawing hand-held cell phones while driving in CA. It will take effect in 2008. That's too late, I say, but at least it's finally happening!
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9-15-2006 @ 3:24PM
no phones day! said...We just recently had a no phones for a day "vacation" it was SO nice. I could definitely feel a different energy in the house. Also lately I have been turning my phone off in the car, only keeping it with me in case of emergency which is why I got it in the first place.
It's funny how much cell phones have become integrated into our lives, I remember very clearly when we did not have them, but it would be strange if all of a sudden they were taken away...as much as I get annoyed by people abusing cell phone etiquette, I definitely use it in times that I normally would not have - like bored sitting in unmoving traffic....
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9-15-2006 @ 3:43PM
ann adams said...My cell goes where I go but I'm not a telephone person. I almost never answer it while driving. I'll call back when I'm stopped if it's important or wait until later if it's not.
I answer for the school, my kids, and my husband. Anyone else can wait.
I have much more freedom with the cell than I did without but to me it's a tool.
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9-15-2006 @ 3:54PM
LS said...Just because the phone rings doesn't mean you have to answer it. My (flip) phone has a screen on the front - I can see who is calling me. If it's someone - hubby, parent, brother - it gets answered. Anyone else, if I'm not in the mood, it goes to voice mail. Same with the home phone, actually.
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9-15-2006 @ 3:59PM
Amanda said...I'm with ann adams, I keep my phone pretty close by, mostly because I have a small child and I am also due any day now with my second, but I rarely answer the thing. Everyone who has my number knows my rules...if it is important, leave a message, otherwise I'll see that you called and call you back when I can. I hate messages like "hey its doo-doo head, I realize you have caller ID and can tell who called but I wanted to waste even more of your minutes making you call and listen to this pointless message!"
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9-15-2006 @ 4:02PM
Ethel said..."What if one of the kids ends up caught in a tree and must call for my help?"
Um, someone else always has a dang phone and you can have them call for help. Unless you are in a wilderness area, and then no phone would work except a satellite phone.
My thing is that as a mom, I have to be always available to my kids - why would I want to be more available to anyone else in the world? It is possible to be spread too thin.
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9-15-2006 @ 4:25PM
Stacy said...No we obviously don't need to take them everywhere - the world isn't going to stop. However, I do have one at my husband's insistance because he travels a lot and as a safety precaution it's a good thing. I usually just leave it in my car and the only person who calls me is my husband. This leads into another problem we are having is to give kids a cell phone or not? My opinion is that my kids won't be anywhere there isn't akready a phone. I played sports, I was involved at school, I went to friends houses and there was always a phone. Is it really necessary that kids need a cell phone? However my husband says it's a good idea. . . .I hope we sort this out before we get to that point!
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9-15-2006 @ 4:33PM
NatalieWhitlock said...I think I must be one of the last people on the planet to *not* own a cell phone! I see my friends, sisters, people around me so dependent on them (can I say, obsessed?) and I don't envy them. Yes, is can be inconvenient when I’m out and need to call home. But, it helps me be more organized and thoughtful before I go places, to write my lists and make plans with my kids, etc. Even if I get one, I think waiting so long has taught me that I can live without one – and that technology can be both a blessing and a burden :)
my blog - Livin' Large - http://www.parentsconnect.com/home/profile/blog.jhtml?username=NatalieWhitlock
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9-15-2006 @ 6:38PM
Nancy Toby said...The answer to your question is NO.
Especially not in the car.
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9-15-2006 @ 7:16PM
VL said...I also only answer my phone if I know who is calling and I think it is important. Most people I know don't even have my number and I NEVER put it on applications. But I am glad I have it. My car has broken down 3 times in the last year, once when we were 6 hours from home. I got it for emergencies, and that's what I use it for.
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9-15-2006 @ 9:29PM
Brenda said...Natalie,
I don't have a phone either. I rarely even want one and it is only if I want someone to be able to call me so we can meet up and an undetermined time, otherwise pay phones work just fine for calling out. A
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9-15-2006 @ 10:26PM
Belinda said...I take my cell everywhere and it is my house phone as well. I have my land line hooked up to my dial up internet almost 24/7 and my cell is everywhere I am. I also have a bluetooth headset for it. I even keep it on the sales floor (Wal-Mart) when I am at work. It isn't allowed but on the weekends the phone in the department gets tied up and I use my phone for customer service (it is free, so why not) I am addicted and I am LESS stressed now then I have EVER been! When I am stressed, the cell is NEVER the reason (unless the bill comes into play, but since I took the phones away from my mom I don't have that problem).
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