The first step to recovery is admitting you have a problem. So here I am to announce it to the world: I am addicted to my smart phone.

I sometimes take it to the dining table in case an e-mail drops into my inbox that needs an immediate response. I will take it outside to my children’s playground and multitask -- push the swing and post to Facebook at the same time. I’ll take it to the beach on the weekend and check on SunSentinel.com.

A recent New York Times article pointed out the possible perils of staying plugged in while parenting. Experts have found that children may begin to act out if they feel they are constantly competing for a parent’s attention. Experts also warn that wired parents may be talking to their young children less, which over time could affect a young child’s vocabulary development.

My iPhone and I have become so glued to each other, my five-year-old son is starting to resent the technology – and he is a fan! He inherited my husband’s old iPhone and now uses it to watch videos, play with apps and take pictures. So it speaks volumes when he tells me, “No iPhone,” as a rule when we’re off to go do something.

(BTW, I just checked my e-mail on my phone.)

So I have decided I need some intervention to put my tech use in check. It’s a delicate balance because my job as the editor in charge of SunSentinel.com requires me to be available 24-7 if emergencies come up. (And “emergencies” are loosely defined.) I also know that I have technology to thank for the fact that I don’t have to go rushing into the office if there is an emergency. The beauty is that I can handle things remotely, which means I could actually be spending more time with my kids than perhaps I would be if it weren’t for the technology.

Here are a few steps I have taken that you might want to consider if you too find that your new best friend is a handheld device with an unlimited media plan:

Talk to your children and explain your demands from work. I’m a big believer that the more you engage your children in those types of conversations, the more they’ll learn to appreciate what you do and develop aspirations of their own about what careers they’d eventually like to pursue. When my husband and I took the kids to the beach earlier this month, I explained to my son that I was working to resolve a problem at work. That prompted a few questions from him that I gladly answered (while I was e-mailing, texting and checking the website on the phone).

Create phone-free periods of time. For some folks, it may be setting specific blocks of time when you’re not plugged in. For others, like me, it may be committing to focusing on certain activities (going on the playground, playing ball outside, having dinner etc.) without having the phone present.

Avoid using the phone while in the car. Yes, we all know you shouldn’t text and drive – and even talking on the cell phone can be hazardous. But try to disconnect even if you are a passenger and instead enjoy the journey by starting a conversation with your kids or just enjoy the scenery.