In the last few months I've had a few conversations which included the topic of social media. These conversations have made me think, ya know, they've gotten my dander up! *smiles*
Should I be active in social media as a Mommie? Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and the like take a LOT of time. But how do I balance having a "life" with being a full-time mom and wife?
This Mommie Rant post will cover some of my thoughts on the issue.
What role should social media play in the life of a Christian Mommie?
I believe that we need to stay relevant. We need to understand the struggles and world our children will be facing. By intentionally shutting yourself away from social media and the online world you cannot fully prepare your children for what lies ahead. This is a technical age. Trust me, I have fought to keep electronics out of my daughter's reach all of her short life. It's a battle that I cannot win. *smiles*
Everywhere you go something and someone is telling you how great this App is for you child's development or how this game prepares your little one for school or how this gadget teaches the alphabet and phonics. But nothing compares to hands on education. You, getting eye level with your child and playing with them and teaching them.
So, what approach do we Mommies need to take with ourselves? Do we shun social media completely, or give ourselves some rules and guidelines? (Not forgetting that we are setting an example to our children on how to be responsible with high-tech-ness.)
Through these social sites, are we exposing ourselves to immoral and offensive materials that have no place in our lives?
Scantily clad women in provocative poses can easily be discovered on Pinterest, Facebook, etc. Foul, offensive language is used in status updates and quotes on both of these sites.
The people we "friend" are the people who we...
- Want in on their gossip.
- Need to fill in the blanks about our past.
- Are curious about them.
- Are family members, close friends, co-workers, fans, etc.
If you want to control what you are seeing on Facebook, Pinterest and others - be choosy who you friend! Only see updates, Tweets or pins from those friends. If a co-worker or relative has a foul mouth when you meet "in real life" why would you expect their status updates to be any different? Actively, let your voice be heard by those site's editors if material, that is out of your control and is offensive to you, pops up regularly.
And, if you decide to cut one or two areas of social media because of what you're being "forced" to see, you need to stay consistent. Not being on Facebook because of what you are exposed to doesn't make sense when you watch every season of Dancing With The Stars. (Aren't
their outfits "revealing" and the dance moves quite
sexy?) And then to top it off, you let your little girl watch bikini wearing Ariel and Jasmine and think nothing of that "exposure." (For the record, I am NOT stating my own beliefs here, only some observations I have made.)
One of my favorite quotes is "Life is a balancing act." That is true in every level/situation in life. Stay consistent. If we're not careful, we will be sending confusing, mixed messages to our kids.
**And as an extra Mommie Rant...
Keep your convictions to yourself. Your convictions are your convictions. They're between YOU and GOD. I don't need to see a Facebook status about how you've decided to "raise your standard"
and no longer subscribe to this or that website.
You are not God in other people's lives. You must live your life as you and God determine. Just because it's different, doesn't make it wrong.
And I'm sorry, but sometimes what you see on Facebook and Pinterest is actually real life. Not the "holier than thou" and "I'm unspotted from the world" approach, but real life in the real world where God DOES exist and where God DOES love all mankind.
Yes, trash is trash. But please, don't judge others based upon their pins and updates. They are at a different place than you. Your thought should be, "Do they love God?" And not, "How in the world do they think this is ok?" Flaunting your rules, convictions and moral ideas will not win people to the Lord. Kindness, grace and love WILL.
Is your husband being put on the back burner? Are you checking your phone, sending texts and writing status updates when you could be having a meaningful discussion or special time with him? Are you ignoring him too much?
Are you plopping your kids in front of a TV screen just so you can catch up with life on Facebook or text that girlfriend?
When was the last time you actually made a real, entire dinner without checking in online?
Are you staying up later than your husband and kids to browse Pinterest for hours on end? Then catching a few hours of shut-eye after 1 AM and finding yourself cranky and groggy the next day?
Has blogging and snapping that perfect photo for your blog become an obsession? Is your blog a legitimate business? Is your blog a legitimate way for you to relax and think? Or are you just using the excuse that you're a blogger to get away from craziness and responsibility?
Are you choosing online time over God? Does your phone interrupt church?
Basically, are your responsibilities suffering?
Does searching blogs and Pinterest create dissatisfaction and discontent?
Have you noticed yourself becoming unhappy with what you have? "That closet on Pinterest was so organized and beautiful. The linens were gorgeous, the baskets amazing...my stuff is so old and ugly, and I can't afford to buy new towels..."
Are you hating your own body because "those Mommies online dropped all their baby weight in like 3 months?"
Your child can't do this or that and they're a whole year older! What's wrong with my kid?
You wish you could be a super-crafty Mommie, instead of boring-old-you.
Conclusion.
Make sure you're thinking. Yup. Like Pooh Bear, "...think, think, think..." Don't just do and later regret. Prayerfully consider changes you need to make to put God, your husband and kids back in priority over your beeping phone and "Oh, she's pregnant!" updates.
Technology is here, it's the future too. What you do with it, will help shape what your kids do with it. Are you obsessing over your texts and daily deal sites? Then why be surprised when your child begins obsessing over their texts, etc.
I'm all for a "check-in with reality" during the day. Being a Mommie is stressful, busy, crazy and at times overwhelming.
Again, think balance. Balance your time. Balance your moral reasons why or why not.
My phone just bleeped and I'm off to check my text...*winks*
~ I'd love to hear any and all feedback on this post. Please, stay positive, even if you don't agree with me. *BIG grin*
