It's a love/hate thing my computer and I have going on. I love it, I really do. Where would I be without Google? Email? Pinterest?! But, then half the time, I think, "Who needs you? Stop being so needy all the time. Give me some space for crying out loud!" I don't like taking a quick peek each time I walk by the computer, I don't like trying to read a quick article, while I have a second while the kids are playing quietly. And I certainly don't like saying, "Hang on just a sec!" to those kids either. So, since I've realized it just doesn't work to try and grab quick snatches of internet time throughout the day, my goal instead, is just to leave the laptop shut. The whole day. You're right, it doesn't work all the time. And I'm not militaristic about it. But just making that goal, and sticking to it most of the time, has made a big difference. And the little trick I use to keep it off, is so simple, I don't know why I didn't think of it before.
Maybe it's just me, but when I think of something, I have to do it right away or it doesn't get done. "Oh, I needed to put the sheets in the dryer!" I run straight down to the basement and toss them in. "Oh, it's Katie's birthday, I need to call her!" I pick up the phone before I forget. "Oh, I wanted to look up a recipe for crockpot chicken masala!" Stop right there!!! See? That's where it gets me! All these little computer things that will "only take a second," end up grabbing chunks of time throughout the day and distracting me from the kiddos. And, in case you haven't noticed, mothering and being online, they just don't mix. Oil and water, my friends. So, enter my favorite invention: the pen and paper. I know, genius in its simplicity, right? I've started just keeping a list of things I need to do when I finally crack that laptop (which will ideally be
after the kids are in bed). "Renew Costsco membership, email Ashley, send Quickbooks files to accountant, edit novel, write post about not being on the computer all day..." All those things that normally would have eaten at me until I did them, now just reside happily on my little index card until I'm ready to give them some attention. Maybe this is not news to other people, and maybe it doesn't work for everyone. But just in case there were others out there with a love/hate relationship with their computer, I thought I'd share.
Do you have any tricks you use for making the most of your computer time, and making sure it doesn't interfere with your mom time? I'd love to know; I could use a few more tricks up my sleeves...
