Dear Mom: Help your family bond

Here’s to all the magnificent mothers.

And with the utmost respect, here’s a suggestion that might help other moms step closer to the Motherly Hall of Fame.

Have you ever seen a family in a restaurant, a coffee house or even gathered around a picnic table at the park, and they’re not talking? They’re not talking because each is lost in her or his own hand-held universe. Smartphones, which are succeeding at light speed to make us all dumb, and various forms of video games and other gadgets are largely replacing not just human interaction, but family bonding.

Witness the family that huddles around the TV some nights. At least they’re sharing an experience and maybe even talking about it. Not so in this brave new world of self-absorption, of individualized fingertip entertainment that’s brighter and faster and supposedly more fun than tossing a football with Dad or coloring or drawing with Mom.

We know; we sound old-fashioned. But the erosion of society’s most important unit — the family — demands an honest look back to see where we went off the path. Then we can find it again.

The incursion of smartphones into our minute-by-minute existence must be controlled. They’re useful tools, but they’re means to ends, not the ends themselves.

Start simply. Start at home.

Moms (and Dads), create phone-free family times. One large family we know has outlawed cell phones at the dinner table. Not only that, but when friends of their children come over for a meal or a family gathering, there’s a basket by the front door where visitors must park their electronic gear. Then, the miracle begins. Board games come out. Snacks are served and people talk. Sometimes the kids even go outside and play. Yes, together.

If life has taught anybody anything, it’s that dramatic swings in one direction eventually are balanced by swings in the opposite direction. We hope the pendulum’s arc toward electronic self-indulgence has reached its peak; that human interaction and interconnection will soon enough become the norm rather than the exception.

It starts at home.

And in our admittedly old-fashioned view, it starts with Mom.

Election letters notice

On May 17, thousands of North Idaho voters will cast their ballots for the candidates they believe are most qualified to lead. Some will base their decisions at least in part on the candidate endorsement letters that are being published in The Press.

This Wednesday is the deadline to submit your candidate endorsement letter. Letters should be no longer than 275 words, and only one endorsement letter per writer is accepted. Email yours to Mike Patrick: mpatrick@cdapress.com