My 4-Year-Old Took My Phone Away. Here's What I Learned In The Aftermath

The author (left) and a photo of a child holding a phone (right)

One Saturday morning before my four-year-old son’s swimming lesson, he grabbed my phone and insisted I leave it in the car.

“Last week I floated on my back like a starfish,” he said. “I looked at you but you were playing with your phone.”

I’d missed his proud moment, and he’d internalised that hurt for a whole week.

Let’s be clear – parents don’t need another guilt trip. I doubt I was “playing” on my smartphone.