The computer versus the family

by Kristin Darguzas (Subscribe to Kristin Darguzas's posts) Dec 29th 2006 1:00PM

I spend an awful lot of time on my computer. Every day, I write posts here, submit the daily best, and conduct a full-time job solely from my computer. I like it: the efficiency, the tracking, the way that I can get tangible things done from my living room or from a cabin in the middle of the Canadian wilderness.

But this week I've reduced my computer time from about 16 hours a day to 2 or 3 max. I am on holiday from my full time job, but I have also streamlined my posting operations so I'm off the computer more quickly and can mingle with family. Truth be told, the dial up sucks, or I might be glued to the screen more.

And I've noticed something about my time away from the computer: the longer I spend away, the more relaxed I become. I am engaging in full conversations, watching small, tender moments with Nolan and his Uncle. I saw a seal's head pop up from the water yesterday...something I know I would never normally see.

I am beginning to suspect that I often sacrifice sacred family moments for too much time on the computer. I know I said yesterday that I don't make New Year's Resolutions, but this one will be small: I resolve to turn off my computer by 8 PM every night so that I can spend more time "in real life."

Comments (3)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Ginny 12-29-2006 @ 5:03PM

At least you get paid to do it. I know what you mean, I tend to overdo
the computer too. You may have noticed. LOL

ann adams 12-29-2006 @ 8:02PM

et tu Ginny?

The computer just ate my comment. Trying again and copying it this time.

I don't spend as much time as one might thing from my comments here but still possibly a little too much.

One the other hand, I'm home, the girls are in school, and this is my link to the outside world. I have friends here and a standing weekly coffee date but that's about it on my social life.

Once they're home, I focus on family, at least until their bedtime.

It's a little hard because I don't fit with my own generation because I constantly have at least one child following along. Fitting in with the younger parents/caretakers doesn't work too well either. Once we talk about our kids, school, and the weather, we've exhausted most of our common ground. Those differences seem to all but disappear here.

So - I have my personal blog which I update with some regularity, a blog which I share with another great-granny, BB of course (the only "forum" I'm involved with regularly) and my online friends.

Lately, with everything going on at home, I've cut back some but I still want to stay in touch.

Ginny 12-30-2006 @ 7:30AM

et tu Ginny?

Yes. lol

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