Do you find yourself checking your Facebook account three, four or even twelve times a day? Do you sneak away during kiddie play time to update your “What Are You Doing Right Now” status with “I’m doing kiddie play time”? Do you let the kids run wild while you scour for news on what your friends are doing in life right now instead of doing some living your self? If you answered yes to any of those questions, do you feel guilty about it?
Erica Noonan of the Boston Globe explored the mommy guilt of online social networking after her two year old insisted on her attention while she was in a “pleasant Facebook haze” recently. She was worried that her daughter may have become a “Facebook orphan.”
Although computer time may take away from the precious family play time, the social connection that is found on Facebook is, she stated in an interview on ABC News, crucial to the well being of parents. Back in the day, parents had more family around and a neighborhood of other parents. But in this day and age, when families are more isolated, this social connection that is created by online social networks helps to keep us sane and not feeling so alone.
Through the comments and feedback that she received, that about 70% of people thought it was a powerful and meaningful social tool and that the key was to find a balance. Yes, it easy to get sucked into a Facebook wormhole but it may be best done in off parenting times, after the kids have gone to bed, or when they are occupied with other activities like a wee bit of Sesame Street or coloring away. Like champagne and cupcakes, it’s best in moderation.
So you feel guilty about how much time you spend on Facebook?
