Hi, my name is Vanessa and if I don’t watch myself I become addicted to technology very easily and my family suffers.
It is like this CONSTANT battle with me. Often, it ends up in unplugging for a week at a time and once a month.
When I am online too much…that means with work or blogging or facebook or wasting time surfing or hurrying to meet deadlines…it doesn’t make me feel good. I get snippy and withdrawn and tired and…….blahish.
Wait, did that description sound like a teenager? Oh my goodness, did I just say that phrase that I LIVIDLY hated when I was younger?
Yes I just did. And its not true because all ages can get sucked in. Even young mothers.
You know when I feel really good? When I have very clear limitations that I…80% of the time keep…about when and how much I can be online. What feels good is talking to people face to face; playdates, lunches with friends, checking on a neighbor, going to an activity. What feels good is lots of time spent outside with the girls hiking or reading or field trips. What feels good is date nights and sitting next to my husband late at night both reading books. What feels good is friends who still use the PHONE who I can chat with to feel connected.
I feel like it’s ok if, in my down time instead of watching TV or reading a book, I can look at pictures or read blog posts! People sometimes even snicker when I tell them what I do for a living, but it’s what I do and it requires a certain amount of time online.
Clear limitations, rules for myself and sometimes just unplugging technology is what works for me!
It’s not just the kids or teenagers that have become addicted to technology. Sometimes its the parents as well. And guess what? Those darn kids always learn by example.
