I’ve read part of The Unwired Mom (before I apparently deleted the e-mail that had the link to my free copy) and this that goes along with it. I’ve read this. I know that when the internet goes down, I get more down (although I grumble about not being able to check my e-mail or my etsy shop or my ebay or my blog). Currently we’re living without home internet – oh the horror! It’s temporary, but we all miss it!
However, actually getting offline when the internet is right there calling me? It’s hard! Part of my life is online – it’s how I make money. If I don’t answer questions on eBay and respond convos on etsy, then I might miss a sale. However, spending hours following links from one blog to another or constantly checking my shop is not productive! So, how do I balance this online and offline life? How do I make sure my kids don’t think I’m setting a double standard when I tell them to turn off the TV or find a save spot in their game?
Here are three simple ideas.
1. Each morning, I have a routine – shower, dress, make/eat breakfast, get hubby and daughter off to school with lunches. I normally check my e-mail while I’m having my breakfast (one of the perks of having a small house? The dining room table is also our computer table…maybe that’s not a perk…). Then comes school for my boys.
2. Do I have obvious things that need to be done? Is the sink full of dishes? Do I have laundry to fold (I have no problem doing laundry and putting it away, it’s the folding that I dislike!)? Do I have etsy orders to complete? Then I need to get off the computer or my phone and get busy!
3. Have I spent time with my kids? Maybe this should be number 1! We have three kids and they require time. I homeschool two of them which requires that I give them my undivided attention. When my daughter gets home she wants to tell me about her day, she wants/needs my undivided attention. She doesn’t want to repeat stories. They all want their share of Mama time and I need to make sure that they get it!
Is the internet an important part of your life? How do you make sure it doesn’t take over?
Leave a Reply