I work full-time as a nurse and manage most of the household chores and parenting. I don’t mind him relaxing, but I want him to be present for our family — not just physically, but mentally, too.
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Dear Annie: I’ve been married to my husband, “David,” for nine years. We have two kids, ages 7 and 4. Lately, I’ve been struggling with how much time he spends on his phone. Every night after dinner, instead of helping with bedtime or talking with me, David disappears into the garage or sits on the couch playing online poker. I’ve brought it up more than once, but he just says he needs to “unwind.”
Last week, our daughter even said, “Daddy, get off your phone!” That broke my heart. I work full-time as a nurse and manage most of the household chores and parenting. I don’t mind him relaxing, but I want him to be present for our family — not just physically, but mentally, too.
How do I approach this without it turning into another argument? — Feeling Like a Single Parent in Knoxville
Dear Feeling Single: Phone addiction is a real thing, especially with things like gaming, online gambling and social media. If he insists on using screen time to “unwind,” talk to him about setting some phone-free times; family dinners should certainly be one of them. The key is to propose concrete changes rather than vague requests.
If he brushes you off again, consider counseling — either as a couple or on your own to help you navigate this. You deserve support.
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Dear Annie: How do I get my husband to stop focusing on his phone, start paying attention to the kids?
Dear Annie: How do I get my husband to stop focusing on his phone, start paying attention to the kids?
Dear Annie: How do I get my husband to stop focusing on his phone, start paying attention to the kids?