Image by Lyn Millett via Flickr
Technology Thursday
We've seen article after article about the dangers of so-called helicopter parenting. Parodoxically, we've also seen article after article about how internet-obsessed geeky parents are neglecting their children in order to feed the beast that is our voracious inbox. Voracious in terms of gobbling up our time and attention that is.
As I'm sure I've written here before, I'm dubious on both fronts. But I'll talk about the latter today. For myself, I'm mindful of the possible overly-tech'd lifestyle that Spouse and I are modeling for our child. At the same time, this is who we are. Geeks 'r' Us. Sorry kiddo, but that's the luck of the draw. (Given my kid's emerging interest in puzzles and books (and iPhones), he'll probably fare pretty happily here.)
That said, I really appreciated PhdInParenting's take on this issue.
There's too much I want to quote, but here's a bit (do click through, though, because the image at the top of the post is perfect--I have so been there done that):
I’m writing about this because I’ve seen friends discussing articles in well respected newspapers that were a full on attack on technology use during family time. I’m writing about this because a number of my friends have recently been feeling guilty about the role that technology plays in their lives. I’m writing this because (un)helpful commenters on this blog have suggested that I focus on my kids instead of spending so much time at my computer and even suggested someone should call Child Protective Services. And, I’m writing this because a friend has had multiple strangers make comments this past week about her using her blackberry in the presence of her children.
Our kids are part of our lives and not always conveniently tucked away when we have other things to do. Technology is part of our lives and is not always conveniently tucked away when we are with the kids. [...]
How is technology different from anything else that may take parents’ attention off of their offspring for a couple of seconds? Is it more acceptable to take my attention away from them to bake them cookies than to do paid work? Is it more acceptable to talk to a friend in person than online? Is it okay to read a romance novel while my kids play quietly at my feet, but not okay to read a feminist blog? I think part of the problem is that technology has invaded our lives, but people’s image of what a parent should be and look like has not evolved with it. Technology is no longer something we do just when the kids are in bed or just when at work. Technology is a tool that we use for all aspects of our lives, all day long.
I agree that finding a good balance is hard. But I also think that the pearl-clutching over MomsWithBlackberries is just another manifestation of good old-fashioned sexism that neglects, or seeks to undermine, the truth of women's lived lives. PhdinParenting concludes:
The image of a normal adult that I want to pass on to my children, is of a mother who cares deeply about her children and takes the time to connect with them, but who balances that with a rewarding career and personal interests. I don’t want to model the perfect mom who doesn’t exist and hide the rest of my life from my kids. I want to model the balanced (and sometimes unbalanced) normal mom who loves them very much. And today, part of normal = tech user. It is time for society to realize that.
Related and on a lighter note, I would be remiss if I didn't point again to The iPhone Mom as a good source for, among other things, reviews of apps that the kiddos might enjoy.
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