Farewell, Facebook: Why I’m signing off for summer

Earlier this spring I was filling out paperwork at the eye doctor’s office when I came across this question on the patient information form:

Do you work?

Now, I’m not usually one to be picky about the semantics of healthcare forms, but I thought this question was worded {very} poorly. So, rather than jotting down the typical stay-at-home-parent answer of “no,” I wrote in my own explanation:

“@ home with kids”

Sure, I evaded the question. But, I figured “@ home with kids” was a more accurate explanation of what I do during the day {and night, for that matter}. After all, this is certainly work, and I wouldn’t want to give the eye doctor reason to think I needed anything less than the most rigorous type of vision screening. Because, let me assure you, I need to be able to see what the people in my care are doing at all times. In fact, I could use x-ray vision and an additional set of eyes in the back of my head, if those were available add-ons.

All this to say… this job of being home with my girls is definitely work. Sure, it has its perks… a lax dress code, frequent field trips to places like the mall, pool, park, and Chick-fil-a, and the freedom to be your own boss {though my authority is often challenged by a certain 5-year old with a need for control}.

But, day in and day out, this is a job. And, to do this job well with three young kids in my care requires more focus and energy than I’ve been giving it lately.

I’ve thought a lot about what keeps me from being in the moment with the girls and really enjoying their company and conversation, and the honest answer is my own tendency to escape via handy things like my phone and the computer.

Case in point…

This morning the Preschooler came bouncing into the den to tell me something. I was sitting on the couch giving the Baby a bottle and reading a news article on my phone. She started to talk but then looked at me and said, “Can you put your phone down for a minute and listen to me?”

Well, that was convicting.

And, it pretty much sealed the deal on what was already my sense that I needed to take something of a technology sabbatical this summer. Because I want my honest answer to the Preschooler to be this:

“Yes. Yes, child. I can put my phone down.”

I want her to know… to believe… that she is way more important than my phone.

So, here’s my plan. I’m not going extreme on this. I’m not giving up my cell phone. I’m still going to check and respond to emails. And, I’m going to keep blogging because I do this really, really late at night when the girls are already in bed. But, beginning June 1, I am going to fast from Facebook… at least for the summer.

It’s not that I don’t enjoy it. I certainly do. It’s not that it isn’t great for staying in touch with friends and long-distance family. It definitely is. But, I can’t say that I need it. And, I can’t say that I’m any better for using it in the way I do. I read a lot of interesting, even clever, status updates. I see a ton of cute pictures. I follow links to all kinds of informative articles and blog posts and Pinterest pins. And, I do keep up with people near and far in ways that are convenient and entertaining. But, too often I use it for nothing more than an escape from the demands of my “day job.” And, all the while, I fear I may be missing out on conversations and real life interaction with three little girls who are vying for my attention. I just know… in ten years I’ll regret that a whole lot more than I’ll regret not seeing an album of pictures from a high school acquaintances’ beach trip.

So, I’m signing off of Facebook for the summer so I can spend more time appreciating the little things that are important and/or fascinating to the girls… like the fact that the Preschooler’s sorbet turned her mouth orange…

Or, the fact that the Toddler has a blister on her foot {caused by the shoes I insisted she wear to church on Sunday} rendering her unable to walk long distances and needy of extra TLC while she is strolled from place to place…

Or, the fact that this is the Baby’s first swimsuit season and first time to visit places like the pool…

All this may seem like little stuff to you and me. But, it’s big stuff to them. And, I want to be present enough in the moment to really listen to them… and learn from them… and enjoy them. Even when it’s hard to do so.

Here’s to hoping I have the resolve to follow through on the fast.

PS: If you’re kind enough to follow my blog via Facebook… thanks for reading! If you’d still like to follow along, you can do so by subscribing to Suburban Shalom by email or subscribing in a reader. Both options are on the left sidebar on the full version of the website, which you can link to here.