Happy Friday!

by , posted on September 14th, 2012 in Features



looks like my desk could use a cleanse too

Yesterday I started an experiment. I’m trying to see if I can go a week without my kids seeing me use the computer. This means, no checking email, facebook, instagram, etc when they’re around. Perhaps it’s the social scientist in me (what’s left anyway), but I’m curious to see what effects, if any, this has on the kids or me. I know modeling can play a role in parenting, so I’m curious about it.

If I’m being really honest with myself though, I’m feeling a bit of a disconnect lately and I’m wondering if I’m in need of a cleanse. So let’s be real: this “experiment” is probably largely motivated by selfish reasons.

Here are my notes from day 1:

Morning – check email before kids come down for breakfast. Sat through breakfast. Feeling itchy. Walked by phone. Almost checked Instagram.

After school – Met the kids at the bus stop. Walked in the door. Kids went to grab a snack, I checked my email. FAIL.

and from Day 2 (today):

Difficult time again this morning. Ellie came down before I did this morning so no time to check email. The pull. So strong. Aaaaaaah!!

I imagine I will fail several times during this experiment. Meh. [shrugs shoulders] It happens.

And now for the links…

We did it! YOU did it! Now let’s do more!

The beautiful vulnerability of our inner child

Why are Finland’s Schools So Successful?

A new-to-me illustrator I love

This isn’t just adorable, it’s crazy clever too. I would expect no less from Curly Birds though.

I can relate. I bet you can too.

Ooh! Our very own Jennifer Buchet was recently published in the children’s magazine Apple Seeds. Pick up a copy to read her piece about the life of a cabin boy on a voyage to New Spain during the early 1500s.

Annnd lookee who made it onto pbsparents.org! Our very own Caroline Urdaneta. Do we have the best contributors or what? I’m ridiculously lucky to have them!


StumbleUponFacebookTwitterShare it!

Comments

6 Responses to “Happy Friday!”

  1. Sandra Says:

    September 14th, 2012 at 2:25 pm

    Love the idea of limited social media/screen time to when the kids are not around. I think I’m inspired to try that myself. I just feel so much better when I am focusing on one thing at a time, especially when it’s time with the girl.

    Enjoy your weekend….

    [Reply]

  2. Caroline Says:

    September 14th, 2012 at 11:17 pm

    I LOVE this idea!! For a very long time (until about a month ago) I didn’t have a cell phone (Gil and I shared his and he took it to work most days) THEN somehow (crazy story) Sprint decided to give us a free iphone. Since I’ve had the iphone, it’s AMAZING how much more often I “check-in” It bothers me actually and just today I missed NOT having a phone. Sometimes I think iphones are even worse than computers because since I’ve had mine, it feels less like “being on the computer” AND more accessible at the same time which is probably a dangerous combo. I’m in and I love this idea!!

    p.s. thanks for the shout-out (s). We’re lucky to have YOU and this lovely place, Jennifer Cooper. xo!!

    [Reply]

  3. Stephanie Says:

    September 14th, 2012 at 11:32 pm

    Whenever the girls watch tv I soak up as much screen time for myself as I can as if it gives me some kind of permission. It’s lame. I hate it. Also, we have the same dishes :)

    [Reply]

  4. Tami -- Teacher Goes Back to School Says:

    September 15th, 2012 at 11:27 am

    jen – i struggle with this very thing. my daughter isn’t even 2 yet and if she sees me with a device she’ll either try to take it away from me while saying, “no, no, no” or mess with the laptop so i’ll put it away. i guess she’s trying to send me a message, huh?

    i also feel disconnected from my online life if i don’t engage until 3pm when my husband gets home from work. i suppose i could just focus on one thing at a time, but man it’s tough.

    thanks for sharing this bit of your life. i totally hear you.

    [Reply]

    Jennifer Cooper Reply:
    September 16th, 2012 at 10:23 am

    Yes, it’s the focusing on one thing at a time that I’m having trouble with as well. So hard these days! I feel like my mind is a hamster in a wheel—running, running, running…

    [Reply]

  5. Shawn Says:

    September 20th, 2012 at 10:57 am

    It takes getting used to but I’ve been doing this for years. I don’t always do it for instance I’ve found myself checking email on my phone while waiting on the bus in the mornings and they skip around outside. Does that count? I think so because I wait until they leave and wave and blow a kiss but in those few minutes, they see me on my phone. I don’t like that. So … must stop that. Anyway, I do sneak a peak when they are very busy and can’t see. Other than that … never using technology unless it’s urgent. I don’t want them to be that way so I must model it for them. My husband on the other hand … that’s a different issue. : )

    [Reply]

Leave a Reply









« previous  |  next »