Learned and observed behaviors are the most complex social interactions we can teach our children and they cannot be taught through lecture…

You’re correct in recognizing the profound balancing act we have to maintain as parents in the messages both verbal and non-verbal we send our kids. It’s ok to be using your phone when they talk to you as long as you stop and put it down to listen to them. What you’re showing them is, “you and what you’re saying is important to me and I want to hear it.” It’s just as responsible to remind them to do the same courtesy for you.

Learned and observed behaviors are the most complex social interactions we can teach our children and they cannot be taught through lecture or demand; only through demonstration will they be learned. If we can’t perform a behavior consistently on our own we have no reason to expect our children to be able to do the same.