I have a confession. I am an information junkie. I have always enjoyed reading, but this crazy thing Al Gore invented totally blows Encyclopedia Britannica out of the water!
Back in the day I could get direct information without banner ads screaming in my face and without access to shopping, entertainment news and social networking all a mere click away. Most junkies can at lease avoid temptation trying to accomplish everyday tasks. Alcoholics can typically do their jobs just fine without fear that a liquor store will one day pop up next to the copy machine at work.
The real problem is that I have a kid now. This little toddler is looking to me for guidance on everything. I can’t have him thinking that the virtual world is more appealing than the real world. I have to lead by example. It’s complicated by the fact that I work from home sometimes. He sees Mommy on the laptop, Blackberry, PC, iPad…balancing the paper in my lap.
I don’t want this to bite me in the you-know-what one day. I can already hear him using that line from that anti-drug commercial in the 80s – “I learned by watching you!”
So I found myself in a precarious situation today. There’s a little alphabet and animal game he likes online. I say to him, “Owen, you only have 10 minutes.” He’s 15 months old with no concept of time, but I hope by the tone in my voice he understands that I am setting a limit. I realize I am setting limits for him without setting any for myself.
I thought parenthood would make me think more of my child than myself, but it has actually make me hyper aware of myself. When I look through his giant blue eyes, I can actually see all the flaws in myself that I need to fix so I can be the best role model as possible. This kid is tough…
Alright, buddy, you got me. If I set limits for you, I must do the same for myself. So for the next week, I’m going to track my time online like a fatty keeping a food diary. I know it will show I’m over indulging…
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