Technology, Motherhood and Time.

My kids are still a bit on the young-side to be utilizing many of the social tools out there themselves, so the big issue I have with technology management -- is my own.

For a week in October I went on a social media "fast"… in an effort to gain perspective and purge a growing web of inboxes:
   
Personal
Blog
Twitter
Secondary Blog
Facebook
Tertiary Blog
Andwhathaveyou

I need to go on another fast.

I have become involved in a number of "little things" that, when standing alone, look surmountable. However, put them all together, it looks much more like a mountain of ill-stacked boxes… ready to topple… and we know mountains never topple when it is convenient.

During that "fast" in October, I found I have grown to a point where I cannot fully unplug. Well, I CAN, but I can't.

And all of this affects my family. I want to be present in my parenting, not feeling like I *need* to check email and Twitter and whatever often because we are living in an Age of Immediacy.

The light bulb moment came when my 7 year old daughter saw a book on my counter. She asked, "Is that a parenting book?" I told her it was. Her reply confirmed the struggle that had already begun within me… "Does it tell you to not be on the computer?"

She didn't mean I shouldn't be on the computer. I am pretty sure she meant she wants more of me...

This exchange with my little girl was a hard one. Humbling. I have only shared this with 2 people to date, one being my husband. I am embarrassed. I want to think I have it together. I want to be present and engaged with my children perfectly… not catering to some of their unreasonable demands on my time, yet put my role as Mom above many of the other tasks I have chosen to take on.

Time. Management. Family. Balance. Do you have YOUR act together? Please tell me you don't. I'm kidding. I'm not kidding. *bangs head on keyboard*