I realize an article could easily be written on the benefits of having a smartphone as well. Having picture and video capability with me always, as well as Internet access when out and about is a huge plus. While I never think I'll go back to a non-smartphone, nor do I hope to persuade anyone to, here are some observations I've made in comparing my non-smartphone life with now, in hopes to have some reminders in order to be a smart smartphone user.

Kids not asking to play the phone

"Mom, can I play your phone?" has become a common question around the house, and I cringe at how often my 3-year-old asks me that. It was never an issue with my non-smartphone that had pretty much nothing on it and was definitely not "cool." A recent study found that up to half of children use a smartphone or tablet in some form before their first birthday. The hard thing is how easy it can be to give it to a child, and I've needed to set guidelines for when and how much they can use my phone.

Easier to be present in the moment

I remember about a year ago being at a sporting event for my son. I looked down the sidelines and was surprised to see so many adults looking down at a phone instead of at the game. One parent even had in headphones and was streaming a movie. Of course, there are urgent things that need to be taken care of, and the key is determining if something is important enough to distract me from what I'm presently doing. I don't want to miss what is really important for a trivial distraction. Child development specialist Dr. Jenny Radesky discusses this troubling trend with parents, and how important face-to-face interaction is, instead of face-to-phone interaction.

Naturally limits time on social media

Social media can be a great outlet in our lives and a good way to keep up with friends, family and what is going on in the world. However, it can also be addicting. Before having a smart phone, it took the effort of sitting down and getting on the computer to spend time on social media, and therefore, was only checked generally at quiet times when I could get on the computer. This naturally limited it to just a few minutes a day. With a smartphone, social media sites can be checked anywhere, anytime, and it can be hard to leave them alone.

Cost

When finally looking into getting a smartphone, my naïve non-smartphone self was shocked at the cost. Some deals seemed really good, until looking at the small print and seeing how the cost of the phone was disguised into the monthly payment. While several plans make having a smartphone quite reasonable now, the initial cost of getting the phone was enough to turn me away several times. It may be worth it in the long run, but when comparing it to my non-smartphones it was a hard purchase to make. And, of course, then there are the upgrades and the constant need to get the newest, biggest and best version of the phone. Oh, and I learned the hard way not to go over on data usage.

The example we are setting for our children

While this age of exploding technology is the world our children are growing up in, and it can be a good thing for them to know how to navigate these devices, adults play an important role in guiding the use of technology, including smartphones. If I expect my children to listen to me and have limits to technology use, then I should be setting the example. If they see me with my phone every spare minute I have, and I'm not listening or interacting with them as I should, then it will be easier for them to do the same.

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Fast-forward about 20 years and - at least to me - it seems that, with the distractions and endless technology facing children, it takes extra effort for kids to live active lives. While my family definitely has room to improve, here are a few things we're doing that are helping my children stay active.

The choice cannot be if children are going to be active; it must be how

I grew up participating in some sort of activity year-round. I had fun, gained skills and learned many things about myself (like, for example, that dancing is not my forte). It is true that kids can become overcommitted, but the bigger problem Americans face is childhood obesity (which has more than doubled in the past 30 years). Whether through official team sports, outdoor play or something different, children must be doing something.

When baseball season rolled around last year and my 7-year-old did not want to play, we told him that he'd need to find something else he could try. If he didn't want to do something with practices or games, he could go running or ride his bike more often. He chose tennis lessons, and it has become a favorite activity.

If sports or lessons are not an option for your family, find ways to have your children participate in something.

Parents must set the example

When one of my children didn't want me to leave for a run one morning, I explained how exercising helped me be a better mom. Now, my kids just know that Mom and Dad work out in the mornings. We try to involve our kids when we can. My 5-year-old likes to "cool down" with me around the block, and my 2-year-old is hilarious doing yoga.

Have unscheduled family time? Get outside!

Often, when our whole family is home, it's an easy option to just turn on a movie and relax. While there's definitely a place for that, we've found that some of our favorite memories are from heading to the park to play Frisbee, throw a football or play Ninja Freeze Tag - my 5-year-old's new favorite invention (I'm not very good at it yet).

Walk/run/scooter/bike whenever possible

When we moved into our new neighborhood, I quickly realized that driving the mile to drop my son off at school took a ridiculous amount of time. I suggested we start running/walking to school - he could handle a mile! This became a fun time to run and chat with him.

Now, he rides his scooter and leaves me in the dust, but it's helping us both be active - not to mention I save on gas and get a break from traffic. When my younger son saw his older brother riding his scooter to school, he wondered why he couldn't do the same. His preschool was not very far away, so the next day, I put my toddler in the jogging stroller and we ran to preschool.

Explore new fitness options and set goals

We are constantly exploring new fitness ideas and introducing new activities to our children. After cheering me on at several 5K races, my 8-year-old son decided it would be more fun to run than stand around. We signed up for a race and set goals to prepare us to run together. OK, so he sprinted past me at the finish, but it was a positive experience for both of us.

I realize that the things that work for my family will be different from what works for other families. Work schedules, school and several other factors affect our options, and there are stages of life when we can do more or less, but the great thing about being active is that there are countless ways to do it. Adapt different activities to suit your lifestyle. Making activity a habit will not only help our children now, but it will benefit them for years to come.

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After the delivery of my third baby I contemplated on the frustrating and painful experiences I'd had with my previous two children. Feeling determined, I geared up for success as the nurse handed me my beautiful, perfect baby girl. After all, despite the fact that I'd never actually been successful at breastfeeding, I considered myself somewhat of an expert. I'd read more books and pamphlets on how to breastfeed than I'd like to admit. I'd searched Internet sites and blogs for more information and tips. I knew all the positions, and what was most ideal in different situations. I knew how to tell if the latch was correct, and all the warning signs if it was not. Heck, I'd even practiced with my old Cabbage Patch doll. I felt I could even teach the sugarcoated class I attended at the local hospital before my first child was born.

And yet, despite all this, I threw in the towel for the third time after only one week of breastfeeding. I tried to dismiss the guilt and accept that I had failed again.

I suppose I shouldn't have gotten my hopes up too quickly. After the first try at breastfeeding my baby girl, the lactation specialist handed me some cream and Soothies and said, "Good luck with that." No - I thought to myself - this time would be different. And I continued on with the anxiety that comes every three hours when the baby starts looking for food. I thought I was making some progress after a few days, and that though the pain was getting worse, I was tough enough to handle it. Women all around me were doing this - I'm as tough as they are! Third time's the charm, right?

Wrong. After going home, things quickly deteriorated. I had to laugh when I saw the doctor's comments on my baby's discharge papers: "Infant mostly bites." I called the lactation department again in hopes for some secret I hadn't heard before.

"Yeah, those biters," the lactation specialist said, "it's really hard to get them to open big enough for a correct latch." Another nurse had exclaimed, "Oh my goodness! Her jaw is so tight." The writing was on the wall. Yes, my little clamper would join the club with her bottle-loving brothers.

Despite the disappointment, I knew that mentally I couldn't deal with the guilt again, so it was time for an attitude adjustment. I told myself that I am still a good mom, pulled out my supply of bottles, and sat down with my faithful friend: the breast pump, which is - hands down - my husband's least favorite way to be awoken in the middle of the night! He also knows that means he'll be getting up with baby too. Hey - there's one benefit to my failure. I found comfort in remembering that I can easily pack up and go and feed anywhere without scouring out appropriate places or worry about leaving my baby because she won't take a bottle. As with most things, there are pros and cons to both sides, but I've learned not to feel guilty or like I've failed. As long as our children are loved and fed - in whatever form - we've succeeded.

I may never qualify to teach the pre-birth class on the joys of breastfeeding, but looking at the bright side - I have become an expert in one area: the breast pump! Yes, three attempts at breastfeeding did not go as I'd hoped, but I have three beautiful, healthy children, and that's success enough for me.

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