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MANNAN AND FAMILY Stay-at-home mother of four Ramah Mannan likens social media to herwater-cooler break. In the morning over a cup of coffee, she readssome of her favorite mothering blogs. While the kids eat lunch, theSpokane, Wash. mom posts on Facebook and gathers ideas onPinterest. Throughout the day, she'll spend minutes during naps,soccer practices, or music lessons commenting on posts, texting, oremailing either from her iPhone or laptop. When she has more time,she writes for her own blog sharing about home organization andrenovating projects as well as "survival tips" for busy moms. "I feel like it connects me to a greater community, one that Iwould otherwise be largely cut off from because of my choice tostay at home with my kids. It helps me realize I am not alone andwhat I do matters," says Mannan, 38. While living in the Internet age has given Mannan a greater senseof purpose and an outlet for idea-sharing, story-swapping, andencouragement, it sometimes interferes with her parenting. In arecent exchange, Mannan's 6-year-old son Jack was trying to tellher something: "I'm saying 'uh-huh, uh-huh,' but I'm on thecomputer. Finally he says, 'Mommy! Look at me, you're notlistening'." Mannan's confession is increasingly common as mothers particularlyhave embraced technology: Moms account for a third of all bloggers,according to a Nielson report released in May. They're more likelythan the average adult to shop online. Over half of them accesssocial media through their smartphones, compared with 37 percent ofall online adults, the report says. Even as technology advancements and social media have allowedmothers to do more from home -- they're starting and runningbusinesses, educating their kids, and experiencing more camaraderiewith other moms -- some are taking a step back, saying they'vebecome too distracted from raising and enjoying their kids. One young mom from Alabama, Rachel Stafford, blogs about a campaignshe's started called the "Hands Free Revolution." The mother of twoyoung girls encourages parents to intentionally put asidetechnology and to-do lists -- whether for 20 minutes, two hours aday, or for an entire weekend -- in order to spend uninterruptedtime with their children. "There is no half-way 'Hands Free.' Either I'm distracted or I'mpresent. Trying to mentally and emotionally exist in two places atonce is like trying to live life with one hand," Stafford writes."I have found that I can only grasp what really matters in lifewith two free hands and one committed heart." Stafford's campaign has resonated with other mothers. She has14,000 Facebook followers and hundreds who comment on her blogposts. Dominique Browning, a mother, author, and former editor of Home & Garden, mentions Stafford in a recent Time Magazine opinion pieceon how mobile phones in particular have become "handytools of avoidance," with children getting the bad end of the deal. In Santa Rosa, Calif., Sarah Chambers tries to prevent unwantedinterruptions by turning off the ringer on her land line phone --her family and friends know to leave a voice message and expect areturn call. The homeschooling mother of three refrains from givingout her cell phone number, limits computer time, and has yet totext. The family may purchase their first smart phone this summerfor its map device, something that would come in handy for anupcoming road trip. "These devices can be a huge blessing, but I'm not sure in ourculture we have the character to undergird it. We want our kids tounderstand the preciousness of others. Allowing ourselves to beconstantly interrupted is not going to model this for them," shesaid. But Chambers is a minority. A Barna Group study last year showedthat parents have mostly welcomed technology with open arms. Thestudy says parents use technology just as much as their teenagekids, with one-third of them saying it has enriched their familylife. Only 10 percent of parents and 6 percent of teens say theytake one day a week off of digital usage. For Mannan, structuring her family's day-time schedule enables herto utilize and enjoy technology, but also put it aside for focusedtime with her children: "What I want to teach my kids anddemonstrate to them about technology is the same thing I want toteach them about eating habits, exercise, alcohol, relationships,and entertainment -- moderation," Mannan says. "God has given us anincredible tool. But like all good things, it can be destroyed bysin, and we need to always understand that.". I am an expert from toner-cartridge-chips.com, while we provides the quality product, such as Lexmark toner chips Manufacturer , Lexmark toner chips Manufacturer, Epson toner chips,and more.
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