Just Unplug It?

I recently saw a Today Show piece about a mother and three teenagers who “unplugged” from technology for six months. Shocking, right? No computers, no cell phones, TV’s or video games. Sounds like my personal hell. Sounds like my toddler’s personal hell.

This truly seems like an impossible commitment. Beyond logistical complications (um, I’m writing a blog on a computer for an audience mostly comprised of playgroup members organized through a website), I can’t imagine not being able to connect with family on the go via my cell phone, entertaining my toddler while in the shower with a little Sesame Street, or being able to download a last minute recipe to make for dinner. I am dependent on technology. We all are.

There are times, however, when the use of these devices make me grumble. Like when my cell phone rings beckoning me from bed in the morning, or when my husband brings his laptop into the dining room while we feed our toddler. The constant need for everyone (including me) to use smart phones as a crutch while alone in public is beyond obnoxious.

Give up all of this technology for six months? Not going to happen. But the story of one mom’s commitment to encourage her family to engage with the real world and shelve the digital has caught my attention. We can all make small changes to focus more on each other – leave the TV off for a Saturday, ban computers outside of the home office on week nights, leave cell phones at home on family outings, only let the toddler watch one show of Dinosaur Train a day…

Hmmm…. Sounds like some excellent family bonding opportunities!