I am still on my "no computer AT ALL before nap time" program, and it is...
WONDERFUL!!!
I have now been doing this for a full week, and it is awesome. I am less distracted with internet controversies, more focused on what I need to be doing, and I have more time for getting things done.
Here is what I have learned about homemaking and motherhood: Homemaking is a full time job. Adding mothering to that is then more than a full-time job. Adding homeschooling on top of that is more than more than a full time job (if that makes any sense). In other words, there is no way that I can get everything done. Cooking, cleaning, laundry, planning, educating, baby care, organizing, you name it - it's just not possible to do it all every day, especially to levels that reach my satisfaction. But if I waste too much time on the computer, I get even less of it done than I can when I ignore the computer and just keep working. I still won't get it all done - but I can get a lot closer.
And in this case, strict legalism is the word of the day. If I get on the computer for "just five minutes," I'm a lost cause. So staying strictly OFF the computer until after our daily quiet time is working beautifully for me, and I plan to continue it. It's not easy, but it's working. I am so thankful that the Lord has led me in this direction, and I pray for more and more of His leading in my life!
Of course, as prophesied, I am falling farther and farther and farther behind in email. But that's a small price to pay, I think!
Love to you all!!
Your previous post inspired me to do something similar. I can't go entirely off-computer until a certain time, because a lot of the boys' schoolwork is on there, including their Spanish computer program; some of it I could just print off the computer, and print off our "schedule" of what needs to be done, but I don't like using paper & ink if I don't have to. And that particular week, I knew had I some stuff that needed to be done online (pay bills, etc.), and I didn't want to run the risk of incurring late fees just to meet a self-imposed computer ban. :-)
ReplyDeleteBut I disciplined myself to stay off of facebook, my email, and Google Reader, and did get much more accomplished -- a lot of tasks that I'd left undone when I shouldn't, like reorganizing our closet, getting our winter clothes out (of course, it turned warm again afterward), adding newly acquired books to my Access database (yet another computer task!), etc. And I recognized in myself what you mentioned earlier, about the "need" to get a "computer fix" (or more specifically for me, a facebook fix, or "just checking to see" if any new emails or blogs came in); that dissipated in the face of my determination. Felt good.
It's been a good thing for me, and I will continue, at least during the week.
P.s., I'm glad those chocolate candy things worked out for you! And it's good to hear your variations. They're dangerous to have around. :-)
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