Social Media Overkill

We all get it. Social media is a massive part of blogging - perhaps THE most massive. It's big to small businesses as it's the "free" way to promote your brand. It's big to everyone. It's 24/7.

It's 2015; this is not news to anyone.

I'm not even talking about the standard Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest either - now there's Snapchat and Periscope and God knows what else to keep you glued to your phone to stay "up to date with what's happening!"

On Sunday, hubs was futzing around the house or the yard or where/whatever he was doing, and Henry and I were in the play room. I was sitting on the floor with my iPhone, "staying up to date with what's happening!" with my real friends and my blogging friends. Henry was getting fussy and I was getting annoyed with him.

"Dang kid, you have a room full of blocks and firetrucks and Minions! Find something to entertain yourself with!" I thought. He continued to get louder and louder.

Finally, I put my phone down and looked at him, completely annoyed. Doesn't he know mommy has to stay engaged to remain relevant on social media?!

Henry stopped fussing immediately, flashed me a big smile and handed me a piece of a puzzle. He wasn't hungry or thirsty and his diaper wasn't wet. He just wanted me to look at him instead of my phone. He just wanted his mom to pay attention and play with him.

There have been numerous articles on how destructive social media is to our personal relationships, especially romantic ones. Recently, I've read several articles on how there's a new generation of children who are developing behavior problems because they're competing for their parents attention with PHONES. I remember reading that and thinking, "Psshhhh! Those parents suck!"

And then I realized I WAS that parent.

"Just ripping the child safety foam off the fireplace ledge mama, nothing to see here. Get back to your phone."

I had a serious wake up call this weekend. Yes, my Twitter and Instagram have exploded and I'm trying to figure out how to be successful at this thing called Periscope. And in the process, I'm ignoring my son. He's playing by himself while his mom is glued to a f#*&!^g screen. I'm not staying "up to date with what's happening!' No. I'm missing EVERYTHING.

Perhaps if you're not married or don't have children you can successfully live your life through a screen. Perhaps it's the very reason you aren't married and don't have kids. I hit my social media overkill point this weekend when I realized I'd rather live my REAL life in REAL time. Screens don't capture snuggles from my little boy or kicks from my baby-in-utero. They don't capture back rubs from my husband or licks from my dogs.


I'm glad I got this wake up call and have since put my phone down to take in my real life. Are you still living through a screen?