Cell phones...Progress or distraction?

By now the majority of people in this country, have a cell phone. Actually, when I am out it seems as though everyone has a cell phone or some kind of device. Even in church now, the pastor uses an iPad to read from his notes and many of the congregation are following along on a digital Bible. Digital devices are everywhere.

I am one of those who has and enjoys the fancy, cool, tech toys too. But often I wonder is it really helping daily life, or is it more of a distraction. And what is that distraction costing us? What are we teaching our children? Are we showing our kids that they come in second to tech time?

***



Sunday after church we had to make a quick stop at the grocery store. While in the store I noticed that so many people were on their phones. They were either talking on the phone as they shopped, or looking down at their phone as they walked nearly running into other people, or standing in the middle of an isle oblivious of others trying to navigate around them. There were so many parents on their phones while little ones repeatedly tried to talk to them.  Maybe it was just that day, but by the time I left I was so frustrated that I was ready to toss my cell phone out window on the drive home.



I do have to admit that I too have found myself  lost in digital world either on my phone or the computer and have found myself to be unaware or tuning out others around. For me this happens more at home in the morning when I am having my coffee and trying to wake up before we start our school day.

The more I think about how far we have come with technology, I find myself wondering if we are really just trading one thing for another. To me it seems at times that we are simply trading very precious time with our "real" family and friends to spend time with our "cyber" friends.

I have also noticed many, including hubby and myself, spend time together yet apart because each are on a computer, iPad, or cell phone. It defeats the purpose of being together when each it lost in digital world while physically sitting right next to each other. It makes me sad to think how much time we are losing with each other due to all the fancy gadgets and technology available to us now.

In time when we all look back and think about our life, what are we going to remember? Are we going to have fond memories of quality time with friends and family, or are we going to remember time spent on some kind of device? And which one is more important?

Now, with all that said, I do love my cell phone and computer and my time with "cyber" friends via facebook, blogger, email, or texting.  I guess the battle comes when one steps back and starts to put up limits and boundries to the virtual/digital world. I have to put devices away or turn everything off at times to keep from spending too much time away from those that are right here in the same room.

In our home, we are always fighting the technology battle. Hubby and the kids are die hard tech toy fans! Anything that lights up, plays games, or simply is the newest device or toy they all think they have to have it.  But I don't like the kids to spend much time, if any at all, on video games or in front of the tv. Yet, there are times when mom needs a break and those games or a kids tv show is about the only thing keeping my monsters sweet angels from sending me over the edge. So I allow them to have their "tech time"  as we call it, but I try to keep it limited.

*oh and I am a NO-TECH-AT-THE-TABLE mom! Meals are for family time, peroid!
Except for those family movie and pizza nights on the floor in front of the tv.

So how about you? Do you limit tech time? When and where do you limit tech time?

What bothers you the most about other people and their tech devices?

Me?

PUT   THE   PHONE   DOWN   AND   DRIVE!!!

Friday's Fave Five

I'm going to borrow the Friday's Fave Five post idea.

1) Wednesday we celebrated my baby boy's 5th birthday. I can't believe how fast my kiddos are growing. Each time I blink another year has gone by. And usually long before I am finished with that year! He had a nice little party and enjoyed his birthday. As proud and happy as I am for my little guy turning 5, it also reminds me that I am yet another year older, and still no wiser than the year before. *sigh* Just older and more tired!

2) Snow snow and more snow!!! Yeah!! Most of this winter we have had more fall like weather. I love fall but living in Colorado I want a good white winter. ALL WINTER! Well, last night we ended up with 7-8 inches of snow! (Could still go for more) So that means that today we spent time outside playing in the snow.

3) The great thing about planning and preparing for a party or get-together of any kind, is that the house amazingly enough gets really clean. The bad thing is that it only lasts for the short time before the party. The morning after and no sign of "clean" anywhere. Oh well, I guess I'll have my super clean house when the kids are grown and moved out! Until then, the endless battle will continue.

4) Homeschool. It has been a weird week. One that was much easier and relaxed due to not having to do the mad rush each morning to get kids up and off to school or the hectic evenings of homework (already did a whole day at school, homework not necessary) dinner and scouts or dance. Having a relaxed morning, day, and evening makes this homeschooling mama happy!

5) Hubby's new job. We have been adjusting to his new schedule and though it will take time to fully adjust  it has been good for us all. The kids LOVE having him home more and in the middle of the week. Kids love it and so does mama, but it sure messes with our school routine. But that's the great thing about homeschool, we make it all work as part of our life the best way for us.

Tech Free Week...

This last week has been tech-free-week in our house, well for the kids anyway.

For the last 5 or 6 weeks life has taken on a few twists and turns we did not expect and so it's been a little crazy. Unfortunately, when mom gets stressed and busy the kids tend to get much more tech time than I normally allow. And in the last few weeks I noticed attitude and behavior changes. The kids have been fighting more and their attitudes towards hubby and I were not acceptable. Some are due to life changes and some due to too much time in virtual world and too little time here on planet Earth.

So since Sunday the kids have not been allowed to watch tv, play video games, or play on the computer. Yes, that means that at the moment I am the "meanest mom in the world" but oh well. They'll survive. (smile) Oh and to top it off, when they are allowed to watch tv again, the shows they are able to watch will be greatly decreased. After watching the boys last weekend get so aggressive with each other after watching Spider Man and Transformers (cartoons) I decided to nix everything that has any fighting in it. Something I've done before but sadly I allowed some back in just to keep kids busy latley when I needed a few minutes of peace.

It has been rough at times this week when the kids felt lost without some type of tech toy to occupy their time. But they have managed to find things to do to keep busy and even, dare I say, "have fun"! They have pulled out the craft stuff that before Christmas was out almost daily. They also pulled out some board games and found that even though the games didn't light up or make sounds they were just as fun to play, and much more creative. Inbetween the normal sibling tiffs they have all had fun just playing and using their imagination again. Now if I could just get hubby on board with getting rid of all tech toys and the tv, I would be one happy mama! Oh, but not my computer! Mama has to have something to keep her sane!! (wink)

Kids should be not be here too often...if at all!

This is where kids should be...outside being kids!!

And that is what we are going to work on much more!!

Dutch Lullaby

For as long as I can remember, this has been my favorite poem.

I love reading this to the kids just before bed and I am so glad the kids enjoy it as much as I do!

Wynken, Blynken, and Nod one night
   Sailed off in a wooden shoe---
Sailed on a river of crystal light,
   Into a sea of dew.
"Where are you going, and what do you wish?"
   The old moon asked the three.
"We have come to fish for the herring fish
   That live in this beautiful sea;
   Nets of silver and gold have we!"
                     Said Wynken,
                     Blynken,
                     And Nod.

The old moon laughed and sang a song,
   As they rocked in the wooden shoe,
And the wind that sped them all night long
   Ruffled the waves of dew.
The little stars were the herring fish
   That lived in that beautiful sea---
"Now cast your nets wherever you wish---
   Never afeard are we";
   So cried the stars to the fishermen three:
                     Wynken,
                     Blynken,
                     And Nod.

All night long their nets they threw
   To the stars in the twinkling foam---
Then down from the skies came the wooden shoe,
   Bringing the fishermen home;
'T was all so pretty a sail it seemed
   As if it could not be,
And some folks thought 't was a dream they 'd dreamed
   Of sailing that beautiful sea---
   But I shall name you the fishermen three:
                     Wynken,
                     Blynken,
                     And Nod.

Wynken and Blynken are two little eyes,
   And Nod is a little head,
And the wooden shoe that sailed the skies
   Is a wee one's trundle-bed.
So shut your eyes while mother sings
   Of wonderful sights that be,
And you shall see the beautiful things
   As you rock in the misty sea,
   Where the old shoe rocked the fishermen three:
                     Wynken,
                     Blynken,
                     And Nod.

Wynken, Blynken, and Nod (Dutch Lullaby)by Eugene Field (1850-1895)



Weekly Update...

Prayers This Week:

**For better health for our kids.

After a year of struggling with some medical issues with our daughter, issues we are still dealing with, we have just found out that we are just beginning a long road of more medical issues with our son, who already has asthma.

**Peace for a friend and her children who are going through a nasty divorce.

Something New This Week:

This morning we joined a friend at the church I grew up going to.

It was nice to be in a church that holds to the same beliefs I grew up with.
  

Something Old This Week:
As much as I would love them to, the laundry and dishes still will not do themself.  

And the closet monster has still not been caught. I'm thinking of upping the Reward for the capture and relocation of the closet monster.

What Mama Said This Week:

A lot:

1. "QUIT JUMPING OFF THE COUCH!!!"

2. "GO OUTSIDE AND PLAY!!"

Obviousley we have some energy that needs to be run off!

From The Mouth Of Kiddos:

My Little Man has been telling us for awhile now that he wants to live at home forever.

Today he told daddy that he thinks he wants to move into his own house when he is an adult, but he wants to live right next to us so he can come home anytime, and at night when he's scared.

Homeschool Thoughts:

Education should not look identical for each child.

Children learn best when supported by those around in pursuing what interests them.

I am not an unschooler, but I am beginning to see some of the great benefits of letting go of the cookie cutter style education and allowing children to learn in a "natural" way. And allowing them to truly be a child, for the short time that they have to be a child.

How we homeschool now and how it began for us is very different. I was very rigid and strict, a box checker of lessons. Now, I am learning (sometimes being forced) to step back and let life happen and learn as we go. A frustrating yet wonderful change to our homeschool and lifestyle.

Homeschool Picture:

Last week when we went to the Ghost Town, Wild Thing picked out a geode and was excited to find the beautiful crystals inside. He was so sweet, he even gave me a small piece I could keep as my own.

What we are reading: 

The Family Under the Bridge, by Natalie Savage Carlson

*I am reading this one to the kids, just for fun. So far the kids are enjoying the story.

Dear America- Survival in the Storm- The Dust Bowl Diary of Grace Edwards by Katelan Janke

*This one Mariah just started as her reading for school. I skimmed through and I think she is going to enjoy this book and learn a great deal as well.

Hard Gold- The Colorado Gold Rush of 1859 by Avi

*I happend across this at the library the other day and I think it's going to be a great book for our Colorado unit. We are a few chapters in so far and quite interesting, even to the kids. I have enjoyed adding in some accent and dramatic tones to the story. It's working to keep the kids attention.

On the Trail of Colorado Critters by Mary Taylor Young

*Just for the boys! Even though Mariah usually sits close and listens in.

They love learning about animals that live in Colorado and many we see right here around our home.  

Roads to Follow- a great 1950's reader book with a variety of stories and peoms.

*Wild Thing has done much better reading with the older style kids books. The first book that really caught his attention was another 1950's children's book with a collection of stories and poems. And I love the simple and clean stories he reads and of course the morals, respect and good behavior that is throughout these stories.

And no, I am not calling anyone from the 50's old. Well not really! :-)

Homeschool Tip Of The Week:

When all else fails and mom has a meltdown, take the school day off and have fun!

Thursday was a rough day for me. I was not in a mind set for school. So we took an "emotional day" and went to the movies. Here we have a little theatre that only costs $1.75 per person. I spent a whoping $7 (before snacks) to take the kids and myself to see the Ice Age, Contininteal Drift movie. We all had a nice time and even I enjoyed the movie.

It was more productive as family fun time than school would have been that day.

Favorite Quote This Week:

This week it's a Bible verse and a quote:

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.

Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Matthew 6:34

Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass...
It's about learning how to dance in the rain.
- Vivian Greene

Picture Of The Week:

I found this picture awhile back and now its my screen saver on my computer.

It's where I go in my day dreams. Beautiful and peaceful.

And maybe my vacation place...someday.

Lesson for the week:

We may not be able to control everything that happens in our life.

But we DO have control on how we react and what we do about and with each situation in life.

In my opnion the most important is to remember that God is with us in everything, no matter how big or small.