The Real Face Time

After reading a recent blog post from Wildflower Ramblings, a cord within was struck, broken, repaired and struck again.  While I find some of her views and ideas are little extreme regarding technology, I will admit we do agree on some things.  For example, I will admit my son has way more TV and had too much time on the iPad over the last few weeks.  With us moving, it was simpler to try to occupy him while in the midst of packing up a house.  Its to the point now that when he gets up in the morning, he goes straight to the remote control to turn on the TV or asks to have it turned on if he can’t find.  Then quickly after he is asking for the iPad.  And its all my fault and some of my husbands. But mostly me because I have been with him most days.  I don’t want my son to be some TV and game obsessed child missing out on his childhood.  But I know that will only happen if I allow it AND continue to be an example of excessive use of technology.  When we all in the car together, I am on my phone reading some article, post or viewing an IG instead of carrying on a focused conversation with my husband.  And in the background I hear this little voice asking to watch Maya and Miguel.  Or I’m at home doing the exact same thing while he is on the iPad (granted they are all learning apps with the exception of abcmouse.com which also includes shows) or actually involved in some activity he has created for himself.  I will admit, I’ve become a real lazy mom when it comes to his early childhood education and its showing oh too well.  Although moving would be too easy of an excuse for my lack of truly be present with my son but it was the fall to an already slippery slope.  I had already begun to have TV on in the background more for my enjoyment than his, but it gradually turned to kid shows every morning during breakfast and then throughout the day.  But I don’t want it to be that way.  I can’t let it be that way.

He’s so young and my little sponge and I and my husband are responsible for what he soaks up.  While homeschooling is not my ideal situation (I always said that if I taught, it would be high school) it is still up to me and my responsibility to make sure he gets the right start.  I am going back to the drawing board.  In the past I have become overwhelmed by the vast amounts of information on the web for homeschooling, particularly the Montessori method but I would get intimidated and only try a few things and then stop while still buying supplies I thought would great in the hopes of actually using them.  Yet my biggest fear is that I won’t be tuning in and feeding his learning style and therefore shortchanging him.  But I can’t continue to let fear, laziness, intimidation and anything else stand in the way of this precious but short time in his life.  I can’t let that happen. I won’t let that happen.

So this is what's going to happen:

• No screen time or phone use, until the end of daddy’s work day which is 5 unless it's a phone call from him, or an immediate family member.

• Find the information, create a lesson plan and then follow through with it. Period.

• No TV unless it's during his nap time and I truly need a moment to veg out

• More outdoor play and exploration (I’ve already started putting this one into action)

Prior to moving to Austin I had already begun to research co-op preschools so that I can still be a truly active participant in his education not just at home but in his classroom.  But we'll cross that bridge when the time comes.

How has technology invaded your space and what will you do about it?

Update:

I remember writing this and realizing how caught I was in social media and less with what was going on at home. It did get better for awhile, but recently I've found myself buried in it once again.  I usually consider it multitasking but its not really because something is getting neglected.  Looks like I have some work to do all over again.  Join me won't you?