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| Last of the Zinnias in the Garden - December 2011 |
A frequent question I receive from readers:
"How do you accomplish everything online: write for two active blogs, sell ebooks and curriculum, participate in carnivals and link-ups, keep up with email, Twitter, and Facebook?"
My answer always includes the fact that my youngest child is now sixteen and very independent. I have more time now than ever before but it is still easy to get distracted and spend lots of time online. I try to keep in mind that the truly GOOD stuff happens in real life, up-close with my husband and children. My real JOY comes from spending time with them and as a by-product of that time I have things to share online.
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| Keeping a task list and an overall calendar are a lifesaver |
How do I stay on track? I keep a short list of things to do and a calendar near my computer with tasks that need to be accomplished each day and when I complete those tasks I turn the computer off. There is no one answer or one schedule that will allow it all to get done that I can share. We all have the same 24 hours in a day but how we use those 24 hours is unique to our family. I try to stay open to opportunities to spend time with my boys during the day and then in the evenings to be face to face with my husband.
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| It is easy to be off line if you have hobbies that interest you. |
At this point in my life, blogging and writing have become an integral part of who I am but only because I have older children. I write about my passions but passions take TIME, unscheduled unplanned time.
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| My newest cloth napkins... |
Taking a walk with my teen, sketching in the sunshine, throwing the ball for our Kona dog, cutting flowers in the garden, counting birds, baking cookies, sewing a few stitches, calling a friend...SWEET time that makes you feel like you are truly living. These are the things that will give your life texture and not the smooth glassy reflection that you get from a computer screen.
I heard a mom the other day share that she was hoping to become more efficient, better at balancing it all. Being a mother is never efficient. It is a myth that you can do it all. There are far more things that need our attention off-line than online.Tip the balance towards your family and you will not have as many regrets.
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| Mr. A and I taking some time on the trail....he loves his long board and I love my feet. |
Don't trade online tasks for real time spent with your children. Blog readers will wait. Facebook and Twitter followers will wait. Your children will not always be waiting with their adorable little faces wanting your attention. Too soon they sprout a skateboard, a bike, or a car to speed away from you. Spend your time well...it slips away too fast.
11 comments:
Ah. Such wonderful, wonderful advice! I just posted about the very same thing with a different sort of slant. Going to update mine with a link to you.
Yes, our children will sprout skateboards, bikes and cars and speed away. I love 'tip the balance toward your family and you will never regret it.'
This is a truly excellent post, and timely for me, because I am currently thinking about giving up my blog entirely.
I enjoy my online time a lot, but my children will only be small once and I don't want to waste any of the time I have with them. And there are also so many crafts I want to do...the computer always seems to eclipse everything else and I want to put an end to that.
Have you seen the blog called Unplugged Sunday? It's all about taking one day per week (Sunday) and removing yourself from all electronics entirely, and instead, spending time with family. We have been doing it for a while and it's been just wonderful.
On that note, time for me to go do some "real" stuff! :)
Yes, it is certainly true that we have different seasons of life. Some times we will have more free time we can use to go online with and other times we will not have the time. I always say that virtual things are fun but are no substitute for the real thing. I tell them to go bowling in real life instead of virtual bowling, if you can. If you cannot, it is okay to sometimes virtual bowl. Same with computer friends and time. Real life relationships should get our primary attention. But when our real-life relationships are busy with their own activities, it is okay to enjoy online activities and friends.
Barb, a lovely and true post. The paragraph under the photo of your newest cloth napkins and the last paragraph resonated deeply within me. In fact, your last paragraph echoes my thoughts and feelings when I was contemplating home education.
This is a wonderful post. And I must admit, it thrills me to see your most recent post showing up in my inbox. You always have a little treasure in your posts for me. Thank you.
Blessings,
Lisa
You're absolutely right, Barb. When my oldest (now 19) was little all I wanted was time with him and we were able to take steps to make that a reality. Now there are two more after him, and being with my kids is always (even on the bad days) the best part of my day! It goes way too quickly.
Thank you for this. Closing my laptop now. ;)
Thank you for this post, Barbara. It came at a good time for me because I have been struggling with trying to find a way to balance two blogs, my creative writing, regular job, volunteer teaching, and full-time home schooling and home-making! Your post helped me to see the forest for the trees -- thank you! I'll be putting a link to this on my blog, http://onetinyviolet.wordpress.com, sometime this month.
Great post. I love your bird fabric!
Thank you so much for stopping by my blog and leaving your comment with video. I really appreciate it.
You are so right. I love how you point out that real life stuff is what gives you things to write about anyhow. We homeschooling moms will never run out of things to blog about.
Laura Jeanne, we have internet-free Sundays, too, and they are wonderful!
Annie Kate
http://anniekateshomeschoolreviews.com/
I think this is a recurring issue for so many of us. Thanks for the reminder- Some things won't wait- like kids, weather, and time. I'm getting off the computer now to enjoy some time with mine.
Enjoy the day!
Pamela
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