I use to read books.
When Stirling was a baby I would nurse him through the night and I read all the Twilight series. 2 years later we had Maverick and I read all the Hunger Games at 2 am. 3 years after that Roman came… and I looked at my Instagram. ? No books. No epic love story to follow. I just scrolled away through the night and looked at people , 75% of them bloggers I’d never met, living their best lives and posted about it while I gave them a like and nursed my baby.
I love social media and there are a lot of good things that come from it, but as a mom that runs carpool and her household, it can be distracting! And I guess perhaps that’s what I want a lot of times: a distraction. Life can be mundane and I can be entertained by my feed of fashion and trips my “friends” on Instagram are taking.
However, I have realized that what my kids crave most is ME. I have sacrificed a lot to be home and do the carpool “soccer mom” gig. However, even though I’m physically there, sometimes I’m not really there. I’m distracted. I’m off in my phone world.
I have started leaving my phone in the car, or in my room. It doesn’t need to come with me every place I go, like a leash. I find myself on the carpet building legos with my boys, engaged in conversation and present with them; and that’s the real gift. I encourage you to try to be more present with your kids. To try and give them your attention. I have found there is still time to scroll through my Instagram feed at the end of the day and I really didn’t miss much. Because if I put them head to head, I rather my son feel that I “liked” his picture that her drew of us playing together, than “liking” the bloggers outfit that I follow.
“Children are not a distraction from more important work. They are the most important work.” – Dr. John Trainer
