Parenting in a Technical World

Raising kids in our evolving technical world....

is the single hardest thing I will ever do as a parent.

Having to leave work early this week to go home and referee a fight that had ensued between my teens, I struggled with the punishment.

Can you relate?

No TV....no big deal they have phones and computers to watch on.

No Phones... I have gotten a land line for my husbands business that can be used, but this is a foreign concept to them and usually ignore the ringing of the phone not understanding what that noise is.  If they are outside they would not know, or know how, to check the phone for a message.  Most of us do not take the time to memorize numbers any longer and rely solely on our phones and Facebook for communication.  So when trying to figure out rides and schedules they are at a loss as how to do that because, "the number is in the phone."  They also use the phones for alarms to wake them and remind themselves of upcoming appointments.  If they fall back asleep after I awaken them when leaving the house y may not wake up until 12n or later.  I feel I am punishing myself more than them by taking away the phone

No Car...it is hard to explain to the child with the use of the car that the only reason it was purchased was to make my life easier.  It allows me the freedom to work a full 40 hour week without having to rush out and get a kid to practice, or take time off to get them to the dentist.

So here ends my rant.  I took the Phones, unplugged the internet and TV's, and the car is only used to take younger sibling to and from practice.

Good mom or bad mom?  Suffice it to say I have to lock myself in my bedroom at night so I do not get asked a zillion times, "when can I have my phone back?"

My kneejerk reaction is when hell freezes over!

A

A sickness plaguing the country

As much as it saddens me to hear of Robin Williams passing it is bringing the topic of depression into our daily conversation. With the State of Vermont demanding cuts in all departments by 4% due to overspending, and having the cuts affecting the way mental illness is dealt with.  Is it about time we start asking questions?

Why should the mentally I'll pay the price of mismanagement?

Some would argue that the Department of Children and Families should not see a cut. I feel the problem is much greater than how well we are able to assist these families. How on earth did we let our family structure and values get so messed up to begin with?

We as Americans do not look after our children and elderly the way we should and it is shaping our now defunct society into something we hope will correct itself so we do not have to deal with the unpleasantness of fixing the situation. 

This Next election I hope you all get out and vote even if it makes us unpopular. This nation needs a business plan not a country club!

That is all. 

Government Bail Out

How many of us stuggling middle class are sick to death about what is going on in our nations government?

As a business owner in the state of Vermont, I can tell you that with mandatory Insurances, taxes, and over priced Health care we are in trouble.

How is it that the government can bail out the "world" banks, but the average employers who are just trying to make payroll and keep the bills paid have no where to turn?

I want someone to bail me out. A beautiful country store and deli that employs 4 full time and up to 8 part timers. If I cut back on help there is not enough customer service and without customer service.....(a whole other idea to blog about!) there are no customers.

Who else feels this country may need a clean start with politicians and all the money that seems to change hands to make the rich richer?