About a year and half ago I joined Instagram and about 3 months ago I gave in and joined Facebook. Why? I’m not really sure, I guess it was because I am a blog writer and I wanted to reach out to more people. I thought I had good intentions by joining these 2 HUGE social networks but the truth is I’m starting to notice my free time is diminishing. These sites are distracting me from my family at times and I question why I need them.

Last weekend the YMCA in Greenwich, CT hosted a Healthy Kids Day. There were tons of ways for kids to learn how to be healthy with games, healthy snacks, sports, activities, and more.

Dr Katy Noble was one of the guests they had at the event and she is a children’s pediatrician. She approached Marc and handed him an article that she had written about Social Media and kids.

Feel free to click on it and zoom in (sorry its a little crinkled up, but Ava got her hands on it and she started to crumple it!!)

The article gives a list of 10 WAYS TO MANAGE KIDS USE OF MEDIA

As soon as Marc and I read the article our first instinct was to turn the TV off and not let Ava watch it ever again. (easier said then done)

This article got my mind thinking in all directions!

Why am I on social media? Why Do I watch TV? Why do I need to be like everyone else and fall into the trap of the media?

But then I realized I live a pretty balanced life. I have never been a TV person. I would rather be doing other things but I’d say on average I watch 3o minutes of TV a day. I’m just not into the TV. My computer use however is a little higher and since I joined facebook/instagram I have increased my time on social media.

I have decided I want to cut back.

As for Ava…. I don’t let Ava watch TV all day, we go for walks, we play at the park, we read books, we play games, she has play dates, she goes to daycare, but there are times where the TV is on and when she’s tired and laying around I feel its appropriate to let her watch a little Mickey Mouse. Luckily she’s not old enough for computers/ipads/iphones yet but I know by the time she is old enough she won’t depend on them.

My approach these past few weeks is to limit my time on my phone (unless its work related there’s no time limit). I am aiming for no electronic use after 9pm and I turn the TV off when no one is watching anything important because it’s just a distraction!

So maybe my thoughts are all over the place in this post, but I know social media isn’t just going to disappear any time soon!!

I hope by setting some realistic goals for myself and Ava that we won’t get brainwashed by our technologically advanced world!!!!

What are your thoughts about social media?

Do you find yourself wasting time when you are on the internet, etc?