10 Bad Habits Parents Need to Break by Dynamom l Parenting Skills l Bad Habits of Parents l Parenting Tips l How to Be a Better Parent

Distraction City: Population, You

When's the last time you spent a weekend without your cellphone glued to your side or when you weren't always tapping away on your tablet of choice? Ever seen that family in a restaurant who are ALL on their phones and gadgets and none of them are talking to each other? This one is tough for most of us these days. We're all so plugged-in all the time, and it makes sense; we are busier than ever and we've become amazing multitaskers as parents.

But all of that tapping, scrolling and surfing can do a number on your relationship with your kids, and even how you feel about yourself. Try putting the gadgets away for a while. Maybe make it a ritual that there's no tech time after 7 p.m.. Have conversations. Play a board game. Take a walk. You might be surprised by what you learn and how much your mood improves; and you'll feel a lot better about connecting with the ones you love most.

Photographing Everything

OK, this is going to get me a lot of hate mail, but I'm gonna say it: Take fewer pictures. Listen, I'm not suggesting that you leave the camera at home for their birthday party, third grade concert or for that family vacation. Of course you want to preserve special memories! But sometimes ... SOMETIMES ... it's better to put the camera away and just actually experience the moment in the moment.

I recently took my son to an event and watched the person in front of us experience the entire thing from behind her giant iPad video camera. I couldn't help but think, "She's missing the whole show. She might as well have just sat at home and watched it on YouTube." We have all become so accustomed to photographing every little thing and posting our pics on social media that I fear we're not actually experiencing the joy of the moment. Don't you (and your kids) deserve that?