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A Word from A WAHM

"Tara Lipinski, Step Aside"

© 1999, by Cheryl Demas
 

Moms are always looking for ways to save time. We have so many technological gadgets today that are supposed to save time and make our lives easier. I don't know about you, but lately, I've feel like I have no free time. I have all of the time-saving gadgets, but no free time. What is going on here?

Here's a typical example. My girls have ice skating classes every Monday morning, followed by free-skating time. While they're skating, I usually check voicemail, make phone calls on my cell phone, and try to get caught up on paperwork. During what I would have considered free time, in my pre-gadget days, I'm now preoccupied with busywork.

I think my problem and maybe yours, too, is that I have allowed the technology to rule me, instead of to serve me.

Remember the days before pagers and cell phones when we really could get away from it all? I think we still need those times. I've decided that I've become a little too connected.

I've realized lately that I don't have to check my messages every hour, I don't need to respond to every chain letter email that passes through my mailbox. I don't have to answer the phone every time it rings. Voicemail is a great timesaver, I just have to discipline myself to use it and only check messages when I have the time scheduled. The same goes for all of my tasks. If I designate time to work on something, without interruption, and can really concentrate on the task at hand, I get much more accomplished. And I need to schedule real free time too, when I don't do anything.

So last week, during free-skate time, I decided to join my girls on the rink.

I rented skates and then much to the amazement of my two daughters, slowly skated onto the ice. Of course I knew that I wasn't the next Tara Lipinski but I was proud of myself, and I thought I was doing pretty well. I waved to my 13-year-old daughter, I could tell she was trying to tell me something, but I couldn't quite hear her I skated closer.

"What?" I yelled to her.

It sounded like she was saying, "Mom, be careful you don't fall!"

Oh, that's sweet, how many teenagers are so concerned for theirmom's safety? I still couldn't quite hear her so I skated closer. Thistime I heard her loud and clear.

"Mom, You look like a great big goofball"

Nothing like a teenager to cut a mom down to size.

I didn't let my goofball status stop me though, I still had a good time. Actually, in the car on the way home, my daughter confided that she was actually surprised that I hadn't fallen and that we should skate together next week too.

So from now on, if you need to reach me on Monday morning please just leave a message, I'll be busy.

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  Cheryl Demas creates a weekly cartoon/column for Work At Home Moms. She also publishes WAHM.com - The Online Magazine for Work At Home Moms. Contact Cheryl through her web site, or email: [email protected]

 
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