I deleted Gmail and Slack from my phone. I wanted to do better as a parent — but it's also been surprisingly great for my work.

• Rebecca Cafiero felt that staying connected to her business meant being on her phone constantly. 
• After deleting Gmail, Slack, and Voxer from her phone, she noticed positive changes in her life. 
• Deleting the apps has helped her spend more time with her kids and improved her focus.

This as-told-to essay is based on a transcribed conversation with Rebecca Cafiero, 44, from Palo Alto, California, about deleting work-related communication apps from her phone. The following has been edited for length and clarity.