Comments on: Has social networking killed the mother?

By: TheresaJane

TheresaJane — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 00:59:54 +0000

Starting a business myself I totally relate to socializing from home through Facebook wall posts (where there isn’t even back and forth conversation so really it’s an illusion that feels and appears to be socializing) and occasional Iming. I was just mulling the “socializing from home” thought around my head the other day after signing off from FB. . . I was feeling so happy that I had some time to stop (well mostly stop, I will admit I was doing some work on the side, just not with the same intensity) and visit with my girlfriend through Im’s. I thought about how convenient it was, we didn’t have to set up a time and go to one or the others home and how my chatting fit so nicely around and within my work so I could keep moving and not take time away from what needed to be done. I was thanking the gods of Facebook for the invention when I suddenly realized: oh my god I’m living an isolated life with me, my Mac, and words typed on a screen. What’s going to become of me? I’m slipping away to becoming someone that is known by picture and name, they’re going to find me here stiff and dead behind this screen and whose going to show up at my funeral . . . they’ll have to have my computer there during visiting hours…

Theresa Jane

By: Lucy

Lucy — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 21:19:35 +0000

Love the post. At first I found myself totally consumed with my blog and hubby was not to happy. I have finally found a decent balance where everyone is happy in the house. I cant imagine being at your level.

I do have to add to the first paragraph though, texting. I think its taken over the world. I do it and I love it because its so fast. We were waiting in line at Legoland a few weeks ago and a mini boat of 4 teenage girls floats by and they were all texting on their phones. No talk, no gossip, no giggling just staring mindlessly into their phones. I think every person in line made a comment on how times have changed.

Lucy

By: Julie @ Angry Julie Monday

Julie @ Angry Julie Monday — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 21:05:30 +0000

I work full-time, I volunteer with the Junior League, I have a 4 yr old, and do it all. I have no neighbors with kids. I literally pull my car into the garag and shut it promptly behind me. I live in the most suburban community, yet none of my neighbors talk to each other.

I’m an only child. We barely have relatives near us.

My online life is my community. I actually spend a lot of face to face time with my friends, which some of them are bloggers. We all lead very busy lives these days, and I’m just trying to survive in the rat race.

By: Amanda

Amanda — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 12:08:21 +0000

I have to say, I really do the playground thing, and no, the conversations really DO revolve around whose kid pooped green last, or if they even did poop. If it’s not that, it’s about last night’s soccer practice or game. My kid’s not athletic, so we’re already outsiders because of that. Then I have a brain and life beyond my kids on top of that. I’m a black sheep in my neighborhood – BAAAAAAAAAAAA. At least online, it’s easy to find others with similar interests. Quite a few of my online friendships have turned into real life ones as well. We may not see each other in the flesh every day, but enough that those friendships are cemented by more than a computer screen and keyboard.

It also helps to have a healthy loathing of social media. I’ve heard it can suck you in, but I have no problem walking away. I still don’t really like Twitter or Facebook. My blog and MomDot are the only things I’m on daily.

By: Cindi @ Moomette's Magnificents

Cindi @ Moomette's Magnificents — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 11:34:10 +0000

You hit the nail on the head exactly, only I still work FT and try to keep up basically FT with my blogs too.

I think you made an important point re your stylist – it’s important that even though you work from home, to still maintain your personal appearance.

Also, re Cat – yes, we may have face/face contact with people, but I too am selective in my IRL friendships.

Moomette’s Magnificents last post: Are You Having Trouble With Spyware or Malware?

By: Lisa C.

Lisa C. — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 03:35:55 +0000

Great article. And remember, tomorrow we start all over again! I was just commenting this week about how spending more time online means the rest of the house goes off the tracks. It’s a delicate balancing act for sure.
Lisa C.

By: Joey Fortman

Joey Fortman — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 17:17:43 +0000

I LOVE this article! Sooo funny.

By: * TONYA *

* TONYA * — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 18:16:49 +0000

Fabulous post Trisha. I definitely think there are some people out there (who shall remain nameless) who definitely spend WAY more time on the internet than spending time with their friends and families. I think it’s really sad that their personal life has taken a backseat, their personal lives are being forgotten about and they solely rely on the internet for a social life. It’s all about balance. If you are doing this social media/blogging thing and making money from it, or getting started in the hopes of making money from it, then it should be treated as any other business. Hours should be allocated, but at the end of the day you need to ‘come home’ so to speak. I think too many people are getting caught up in the addiction and neglecting other things that should be equally or even more important.

I love blogging (I have 3 of them). I love Facebook. I love Twitter. I love other social networking sites. I love my kids more.

By: Nicole O'Dell

Nicole O'Dell — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 02:56:31 +0000

Oh wow! I feel like I could have written this exact post! In fact, just 15 mins ago, I updated my Twitter status with this: “Twittering, Blogging, facebooking…relationships in the 21st century.”

By: Jenn Rogers

Jenn Rogers — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 02:14:36 +0000

I spend my life working to make a difference in the lives of others, and recently realized that I was not doing the same for myself or my family. I am not sure if it was the PPD I just went through after having baby #4 (with a tween and 2 toddlers, too!), or The Love Dare Challenge my husband and I are doing, but I came to the conclusion I just could not keep going the way I was.

I felt as if I were a gerbil in a cage going round and round on that blasted wheel getting nowhere fast. The sense of overwhelm consumed me. I am very passionate about MUIB, and I do admit I have a difficult time saying no.

My life had become nothing but unorganized chaos, and I felt like a hypocrite. I needed a sign to hang on my door “Do as I Say, Not as I Do.”

So, my husband and I sat down and talked. He works crazy hours too, so we came up with a schedule for the month of when I would work while he tends to the kids, when we would do things OUTSIDE of the house as a family, scheduled time off of work for me, some quality time for us, and some much needed ME time!

So far, I am amazed at the difference! Life has become more fun. I am enjoying my kids more, my job more, my home more. I am making more money, yet I am working less. I am much more productive, more rested….just more ME. I feel like I have come full circle.

Lesson learned. Just hope it sticks!