Kate Middleton shared a powerful message regarding loneliness in an essay published on The Royal Centre for Early Childhood website.
In the essay written in collaboration with Prof Robert Waldinger from Harvard Medical School, the Princess of Wales discussed “The Power of Human Connection in a Distracted World.”
The article focuses on excessive cell phone use by children and adults, and how families are inadvertently raising a lonely generation of kids. Kate wrote, “We’re raising a generation that may be more ‘connected’ than any in history while simultaneously being more isolated, more lonely, and less equipped to form the warm, meaningful relationships that research tells us are the foundation of a healthy life.”
These foundations are tested, writes Kate, by the constant use of cell phones by both children and adults, taking away from meaningful family connections. She emphasizes that carving out time for face-to-face interaction and play is crucial to nurturing emotional bonds and healthy development.
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“This technological interference strikes at something fundamental: our undivided attention is the most precious gift we can give another person,” Kate states. She claims this small gift is the most “difficult” to offer in today’s world.
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“When we check our phones during conversations, scroll through social media during family dinners, or respond to e-mails while playing with our children, we’re not just being distracted. We are withdrawing the basic form of love that human connection requires,” the princess states.
How Kate and William foster close relationships with their kids
Kate Middleton and Prince William work diligently to ensure their children’s stability while growing up in the constant glare of the public spotlight. One of the ways they do that is by not allowing their children to have cell phones.
William revealed that Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis do not have electronic devices in an interview with Eugene Levy for his series The Reluctant Traveler.PEOPLE Magazine reported that William opened up about how he and Kate are navigating this challenge, and the one priority they adhere to as a family.
Levy asked William if he, Kate, and their children eat dinner together every night. William said they do, adding, “Yep, absolutely; yep, definitely. So we sit and chat, it’s really important. None of our children have any phones, which we’re very strict about.”
The former Schitt’s Creek actor then asked the Prince of Wales how his children entertain themselves without phones. William responded that his kids play outside (the trampoline is a favorite), and they participate in sports and other extracurricular activities such as netball, soccer, and dance.
“As far as I can tell, they just end up jumping up and down on the trampoline, beating each other up, most of the time,” William revealed. “Apparently, there is an art to it.”
“They’re trying to learn musical instruments,” the prince added. “I’m not sure how successful we’re being with that.”
Kate Middleton launched The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood in June 2021, to emphasize how critical the early years of a child’s life are and how they impact future success. Her commitment to the initiative extends to her own children, believing small but impactful changes today can foster strong, healthy relationships in the future.
