I haven't been so good at unplugging this vacation. I'm not good at unplugging on any vacation really, except maybe the Disney Cruise when I was forced too because I was not paying for exorbitant internet rates. I may have only posted once, but I'm still checking twitter and facebook and email constantly. And I don't even like facebook. (Can I please get a google+ invite soon so I can give up facebook? That would be great. jodifur@gmail.com. But don't send me email to that address because I check it like never.)
Today we went to a water-park. Michael really wanted to go and I was kind of whatever on the whole thing. We could go to the beach or the pool for free but this is what he really wanted to do. We managed to talk him down from the REALLY expensive water-park to the only moderately expensive water-park. And I left my phone in the car. (I'd like to say I was doing it to give Michael my one on one attention, but I was doing it to keep it from geting wet.)
But, what it did mean was that for 5 solid hours, Michael had my undivided attention. It would not be far from the truth to say this does not happen often.
We played tag in the pool and lounged on the lazy river and went down the water slides more times than I could count. We ate lunch without me checking my phone. He never once complained or asked me to play with him. Because hey, I was playing with him. And it was really, really nice.
I don't have one picture, because I take all my pictures on my phone.
When it got so crazy hot we could no longer handle it, we left, and went and got ice cream. Michael and Doug shared the biggest banana split in the world. That, I had my phone for.
I've been blogging for over four years, since Michael was 18 months old, and it has consumed so much of my everyday life. And I'm glad for it, it has given me a lot. But when push comes to shove, 10 years from now, will I care about the latest internet kerfuffle? (Because there always is a kerfuffle.) Or will I care that I didn't put down the phone and play tag or play a game?
I'm going to try to shut down more often. Because pretty soon he isn't even going to want me to play with him.
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
I’ve gotten better about it on my kid weekends…but I think it’s time to take it up a notch. I like the idea of leaving it in the car. Very good plan friend.
Oh, I so hear you on this one. I’ve been blogging for 8 years and, well, am still learning to unplug. You’re not helping
Thanks for posting this. I need a reminder every now and again that soon enough she’s not going to want anything to do with me, and I’ll wish I had had more time. I DO have more time, I just need to make sure I’m spending it wisely.
And as for what’s going on with you right now, I know you don’t know me from Adam, but for what it’s worth, I genuinely hope everything is okay.