For Father’s Day my son was asked to draw me and then point out
my characteristics. When he brought the
drawing home and I took a look, it caught me off guard. It was a picture of me holding my phone. As one of my characteristics, ‘What does your
father like to do’ he had written
“My father likes to watch funny videos on YouTube”
Children provide the most accurate reflection of you. They show you the unbiased view that you
seldom want to reflect on. The one my
son pointed out was most likely true, I was on my phone constantly. I would love to use the excuse that it was
because of my new job, and the demands of it and maybe I could chalk up 25% of
my phone use for that, it would be inaccurate of me not to acknowledge the
social media and entertainment aspect.
The truth is I am like many normal adults now a days, we use
our phone for work, for information, to socialize and also cure our
boredom. Quite frankly I cannot even
remember the last time I was bored. Even
places like the bathroom, the phone provides the world at your fingertips, you
can google random questions you always had, research cars you will never buy,
play games or communicate with anyone you wish.
The pull to use the mobile device is very strong, and truly addictive.
We try to justify our use because we don’t want to admit the
truth. We can survive without our
phones, we can survive without social media, and most importantly if I wanted
my kids not to be addicted to this technology, I would have to lead, by
example, not lecture.
So that is what I am doing.
Today I deleted all my social media accounts, and had a discussion with
my wife. Though I had not talked to her
about it previously and she was surprised she was quickly on board. We have strategized to place our phones in a
box at home, and only check them once every hour or so, for important
emails. I am also setting up some VIP
emails so that if there is an emergency at work I can get some sort of alert,
and not look completely careless!
I am an above average social media junky, I had too many
friends on Facebook, followers on Twitter, and Instagram, and though I never really understood
the appeal of Snapchat I had downloaded it just to see what the hype was
about.
For me the goal is simple, to disconnect to connect to what
is truly important. I had been on
Facebook so long I don’t even remember how life was before it! Ok I do but I do not really remember how we
kept in touch, I am guessing via a phone call?
The aim is that come next father’s day, my son does not draw me with a
phone in my hand, and for “What does your father like to do” I would like to see the answer :
“My father likes to spend time with me when he is at home”
