I am present when I’m changing the tenth diaper of the day while singing itsy-bitsy spider. I’m all there when there is a flurry of toys and giggles interrupted by tears, followed by floor cuddles and pillow forts. I’m a stay at home mom to a two and one year old, so I am all there, all the time. Sometimes I just need a break and picking up the nearest iPhone is the easiest way to do this without leaving my house or putting on a bra.
Texting my family and friends throughout the day allows me to connect with them and share our day without interrupted phone calls where I’m shouting out commands and consolations like someone with Tourettes. Jumping on Instagram is a place to connect with other moms who understand my exhaustion of doing nothing and everything at the same time, while becoming real life friends in a stalker-ish but comforting way. Don’t even get me started on Pinterest. My family would be eating PB&J with boring table settings and my kids wouldn’t be entertained with homemade bath paints if it weren’t for Pinterest.
So I don’t feel guilty. I am a present mom and I’m allowed a little brain-break.
I’m taking a technology ‘time in’. And if my kid asks for a third bowl of cheese and crackers while I’m googling weird shit I just smile and say, ‘I’ll get it in a few minutes, Mommy is having an instabreak right now….. Besides, I’m pretty sure I can find an app that will get snacks for you if I google hard enough.’
(Image courtesy of KROMKRATHOG / FreeDigitalPhotos.net.)