Fess up to your wee Internet addiction
The laptop’s open
all day. I check my email
and listen for *dings*
Sitting there, I tell
myself, only ten minutes
One hour passes
It’s time to let it all hang out folks. I’m going to tell you my deepest, darkest secret (well, technically I already did in the haiku, but I have LOTS more to say).
I spend way too much time during my days online. I try, really I do, to limit my time online. Some days, like the days I’m not at home and absolutely have NO ACCESS to my computer, I am able to curb my time online.
But then…then there are the days we don’t have any plans. And I tell myself to just shut off the computer. But I don’t, of course I DON’T. Instead, I will leave the laptop open and watch as emails come in and listen for the twhirl dings and answer emails and reply to tweets and click tinyurls, and see something shiny in someone’s comments section, and discover a new blog crush, stumble a post (or twenty) and get another few emails, and answer them and suddenly it’s an hour (or more**shhhhh**) later. My kids are usually right there, it’s not like they’re running around naked, hanging from the ceiling fans (but that’s only because they can’t undress themselves and we have vaulted ceilings.) Laundry stays in the washer, dishes remain in the sink covered in drying Rice Crispies, eventually impossible to clean, and my floors stay unswept.
It’s bad. The thing is, though, I really, really, really enjoy replying to emails. I love checking out the links on twitter. I LOVE all my precious online endeavors.
In my defense, I do spend a lot of time with my kids. We go places, we go for walks, we have playdates, we play with play-doh, we have picnics. I just feel a little guilty for letting them fend for themselves some of the time, even though I don’t believe I have to entertain and feed their spongy brains every waking minute. But still.
How much time do you spend online and how does it affect your daily tasks? I’m especially curious about those of you who work at jobs and manage to do your Internet activities at work. Well, to be honest, I’m also especially curious about those of you who stay home like me and ignore your children balance your Internet time with the demands of your kiddos.
FESS UP.
I feel the urge to remind people of my comment policy…
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Me? Total addict. I am online as much as I can be while at work while still getting my job done, and at home it amazes me how quickly the time flies with Plurking, blogging, reading blogs, emails and everything you mentioned. It’s craziness, but I enjoy it even if once in awhile I have to reign myself in just a bit.
Maggie’s Minds last blog post..Haiku Friday 6/20/08
I have the same addiction! The part you didn’t mention is the reader addiction. I read all of the new ones in the morning and think “Good! I can go do other things.” But then in the middle of laundry or whatever I think “Oh, I’ll just see if there is anything new…”
Kiss of death, I tell you.
I really try to limit my time but when they are playing nicely I let it go. More often than not it is when they are screaming at each other that I force myself to get off and create a diversion.
I suck but I’m addicted.
And pay no attention to CommentLuv… I know what is going to come up-poetic justice to this post, really. ;-D
Headless Moms last blog post..How many days until school starts again?
I found your site on google blog search and read a few of your other posts. Keep up the good work. Just added your RSS feed to my feed reader. Look forward to reading more from you.
Karen Halls
“wee” addiction that it is… I spend way too much time online! You know, I have to look up a recipe or edit some photos and then “oh, I’ll just check my email” and “hey, look, there are new posts in my reader” and before I know it another day/week/month is gone and I haven’t done anything productive other than the laundry when I know I have lots of other things I’d like to get done!
Kristas last blog post..Walk for Life
hi. i’m janet and i’m an internet addict.
(hi, janet)
yeah, i’ve got it bad. my email comes WITH me every day on my iphone. i can’t tell you how many times a day (uh… if i’m not at a computer already) i push that preshuss “mail” button and watch my emails load….. right before my very eyes.
it is a sickness.
the planet of janets last blog post..Haiku Friday: the post-Father’s Day edition
Oh yes, addict is a bit of an understatement. It’s ridiculous really. I don’t think there’s any help to be found for me.
MadWomanMegs last blog post..My name is Meg, and I have an addiction
I had to cut back during our move and because it is summer, so my internet time now is WAY down.
Before that? Oh, I monitored it CONSTANTLY.
I was ALWAYS online to some degree.
Hopefully when school resumes I can meet in the middle of the two.
Loralees last blog post..Opening night!
I used to be really bad. Like REALLY bad. Then we moved house and I went without internet for 2 weeks and I learned to live without it a little.
Now I use it during naptime and after bedtime. Occasionally (like now) of an evening as well, after dinner, but before bed.
However, when I am having a bad day, I tend to be on here more. There are supportive people are in my computer you know!
Veronicas last blog post..Something Ends, Something Begins
Well and truely addicted here. I found the best way to ‘curb’ my addiction is to not switch the computer on in the morning, I’m more likely to get things done that way!
Marylins last blog post..Wordless Wednesday
hmmmm, well I work out of the home 3 days a week. And I spend a LOT of time at work thinking about my ‘online life’ unfortunately my workplace has BANNED my blog cause it is offensive or somesuch… so no checking on it from work…
On my days off I spend far too much time on this laptop. I think I catch up with my online friends more than the real life ones! I have also been guilty of Twittering and checking blogs while on the phone to friends.
I am going to go and slap myself now…
Kelleys last blog post..Dont you hate it when..
I can’t spend much time on-line… my kids are always making messes, then there’s laundry or dinner. So, I write my posts, and that’s sometimes all I have time for. Plus, I started freelance writing, and that takes a lot of time.
susiejs last blog post..I kid you not…
well, if me opening my laptop before my eyes were fully focused this morning is any indication, i have a problem.
everything you said rings true 100% with me, too.
i am a sahm with 2 kids and i have the laptop open and on all day, i am always checking it. it is BAD, if we are out and i don’t use it for a good while, i am JONEZING when I get home to check it. i have check my hotmail, google mail, google reader, yahoo mail…..it is bad. i think it is even worse that i do it as soon as the kids are asleep and i finally can talk to hubby and i go on line instead
feeners last blog post..Great unique gift for kids and infants
This sounds arrogant, but I’m so good at what I do it takes me very little time to do my actual job. Most of the time I’m on the internet 1. waiting for something to do or 2. waiting for something to do.
Some days it can get busy and usually I just don’t say anything to anyone, which is odd. I don’t interact with people on a daily basis with people I work with. I know it’s odd, but I don’t. So internet people are kind of my social circle.
Knot
Knots last blog post..What’s On Jef’s Cell Phone And On Jef’s Mind 06-19-008
It is killing me! I don’t have my laptop this week *sob*, and I MISS IT SOOOO MUCH! I have tried (been forced) to curb my computer time with the kids being out of school, but I’m still on it wayyy too much, and I heart the computer (OK, the internet) completely. It’s really, really bad.
Jennifer -
Ever since we talked about doing this post it’s been on my bloggy post-y to do list and I’ve been avoiding it like the plague, because I don’t want to fess up. I want to keep my dark little naughty secret to myself and let nobody outside of my house be the wiser.
I think my time is similar to yours, my computer is up all day, the laptop usually set up in the kitchen. bad, bad, bad.
Know what makes my internet addiction worse? When certain bloggers say, oh you just gotta stumble, have you ever twittered, you need to start using adoptic, kirtsy is the best, oh you must invest time of flickr……blah.
Anyway, I still might vomit up my own internet addiction over at DesignHER….but I feel better that I got lots of it out here. Thanks, I do feel so much better.
Ugh, WAY. TOO. MUCH. TIME. I feel guilty and I try to stop, but it keeps pulling me back in!
wrights last blog post..Haiku Friday - Big Plans
Perfect theme! I think this was the easiest yet.
Mine are up http://www.diaperstodating.blogspot.com
Lisas last blog post..
Um. Yeah. I can’t do so much internet while I work (since I’m at other people’s houses much of the time), but at home? This summer? Um. Yeah. I was investing enough time reading other blogs; I must be insane starting my own! And it’s HARD to write…I can think of topics but get waaay overwhelmed when it comes to actually writing it all out. I don’t even want to get into Twitter b/c I’ll probably never shower or get dressed again.
BTW, the comment emails I’ve gotten from you in the past? I COULDN’T GET A REPLY THROUGH. I kept getting a message back that it was undeliverable. Totally.frustrating.
Molly’s Moms last blog post..Haiku Friday
Headless Mom…oh I didn’t mention the reader! Ooops, I forgot to talk about the fact that my one saving grace is that I have a rule that I CANNOT open my reader or leave comments until my children are napping. From 2-4 everyday, I write my posts and read blogs from my reader. Those 2 hours seem more like 2 minutes.
janet, my husband has offered to buy me a Blackberry or iPhone, but I’ve told him that would be like buying booze for an alcoholic. BAD IDEA!
(He should just save his money and buy me a camera!)
Oh, I’m online for HOURS. If we’re home and awake, the computer is likely open and I check it frequently. I guess I technically work at home now, so I can kind of justify all the internet time, but I’ve become very adept at switching between taking care of the girls and working online. Sometimes one of them is on my lap while I check e-mail or browse blogs.
When I used to work, I think I was online even more. In my job, I had scheduled appointments, and when those appointments were over, I was often left waiting around for my next appointment. I got a lot of blogging done at work in those days.
Christinas last blog post..Haiku Friday: Birthdays
Nodding in agreement. 100%
Mandys last blog post..Haiku Friday - back to rights
DesignHer Momma, Ooops. I guess I’m just one of those people who wants to bring more people into the Internet CULT.
Molly’s Mom, Hmmm? I’ll check and see if the reply email address is wonky. Thanks for the heads up!
BTW–might just be me, but there’s no Mr. Linky on your post, I went over to Christina’s to sign.
Wow! You’re fast. Have a great weekend. Thanks for hosting, it’s fun.
Yep, addict right here. It’s one reason I resist a laptop and stay with the desktop. At least without a laptop, I’m forced to get away from the desk and do things in the kitchen without a computer. Otherwise I’d be cooking and on the internet at the same time.
I’m bored out of my mind this summer and have spent a ton of time this week on the net. Then that makes me depressed because I realize I need to GET A LIFE! Seriously.
Queen of Shake Shakes last blog post..How I Know God Wants Me To Fully Partake In Adult Drinks
It varies. Right now I’m not spending a lot of time on the net because I need to get a lot done around the house (see haiku), and other times, I’m on a fair bit. But honestly, I’ve been reading your “tips”, and I just don’t have that kind of time to devote to this right now. No offense to people who do, because I do enjoy blogging and reading and such, but there it is.
melissazs last blog post..Haiku Friday 6/20/08
I try not to think of the internet as an addiction, but it totally is. I have refrained from having my email and internet put on my phone, because I think that if I could have it with me ALL the time that I really wouldn’t get anything else done. As it is now, I have my laptop open pretty much all the time, and tend to pop in and check it on a pretty regular basis. Most of my blog reading/posting is done during naptime, although if the kids are playing quietly in the morning then sometimes I will do things in five minute incriments.
All said, I spend a few hours on the computer every day. I would say three - and some days more than that…
Maggies last blog post..Wordless Wednesday: Say Cheese!
addicted to the net?
NOT AT ALL.
addicted to my lifeline, err, SIDEKICK HANDHELD.
entirely?
I swear that thing hath saved me in many moments where I wanna scream at my daughter —–and dont. merely send a IM HAVING A ROUGH DAY text or email to a friend.
M.
MizFits last blog post..Link Love & A Friday Freebie.
Thanks Karen!
I’m asked this constantly because I’m online at work all day, BUT I’m super good at multi tasking (Thank you former jobby in Hell!)
I get emails on my phone too so in the rares instance I’m away from my desk for more than an hour or so, I can still get my fix.
CourtneyRyans last blog post..haiku of review
Oh, I’m addicted to the internet alright, but I don’t feel that guilty about it. Sanity and emotional well-being can be hard to come by, and I gain so much from blogging, from the comments readers leave, from emails from friends, from reading little facebook status updates. I think the internet makes me feel more rather than less connected to the life and people around me.
My son is watching Caillou and eating breakfast as I write this . . . I figure we’re both just easing into the day.
meps last blog post..Dear Abby, I just found out my husband is a polygamist or possibly just someone else’s babydaddy . . .
Total addict. I have no idea what my boys are doing most the time:) Just kidding, but I do keep my computer on, and when I hear a ding or tweet, I can check it fast without interrupting the flow of learning and play…assuming that we have such a flow. It’s mostly just tushie pinching and armpit farts.
brittanys last blog post..What’s a girl to do with 4 lbs. of strawberries?
I’m totally addicted.
It blows.
My poor kid. She hates my computer..It’s worse than a colicky sibling.
~JJ!s last blog post..Whine ‘ku
yep, addict. people ask me how i get the blogging done with the work and family…the answer is, just like any other addict….obsessively!
phylliss last blog post..Sh’lach L’cha…Sending out the Scouts!
I’m online way too much as well, xD. It’s cheaper than going somewhere, and all my friends are online (minus, like two, xD).
Sarahs last blog post..Birthday Haiku
LOL no Haiku here but a serious internet addiction, oh ya I got that bad. I spend at least 40 hours a week online, but that is due to my job more than anything. You would think I would be sick to death of it after that but alas I am not. I still steal an hour or so a night reading emails and blogs. No wonder my house is a pigsty and my children are running around naked.
Jesss last blog post..I am sure this is not what the teacher had in mind.
Yup, I’ve got the bug, and I’m an at work junkie as well. In between projects I pop up my email, my blog, my jewelry website- everything I need to compulsivly check throughout the day…..
I am the same. The computer comes on in the morning and goes off right before bed. I have my email app up all day so I can catch an email asap. But in all fairness DH and I talk through email all day too…and I have friends I talk to on AIM…THAT is my addiction…if someone I know is on an IM I will sit here almost all day! LOL
Sandys last blog post..Wordless Wednesday…?
Of course its an addiction. I pretty much get free rein for 8 hours a day M-F at work and what I can’t see(usually pictures) at work due to internet restrictions. I have to go back to that post and look over it again when getting home. Which you know then takes up my evenings. It’s sad when my oldest badgers me about always being on the blogs.
OMG! You are like my long lost sister or something. I do the same thing. We are always out and about most days (as you can see from my blog) but those days we have nothing to do I pop onto my computer at least 50 times a day. It is right in my kitchen so it’s super convienent.
Wow. I don’t think we are bad mom’s. And our kids need to learn how to entertain themselves, right?
beach mamas last blog post..Bullet Catch Up with a Funny…
How funny that we both did posts about bad habits. I spend way too much time with the tv on so I can stay online. I find myself in the same boat you are in…I want to hear the bing. I want to reply to emails & comments, I have 18 moves to play in Facebook, Twitter….it goes on and on. I am right there (online) with you.
Anglophile Football Fanatics last blog post..Quirks
Email, Twitter, Plurk, blog stats……I spend to mauch time online! Is there a support group I can join?
justmylifes last blog post..COOL mom has left the building, enter DORK mom!!
You know I’m a hard core addict. If I were at home all the time, though, I would be online nearly as much. I have an odd sort of job that requires running processes on my computer several times a day. While they are running, the only thing I can do is use the Internet. So, if my Intranet site is all up-to-date, I run amok. I probably get two hours a day in, even while I’m still being totally work productive. It rocks.
Burgh Babys last blog post..Never So Happy to Drop $60 and Some Coffee
Um, I’m sitting here online and my daughter just came over to say “I’m gonna go wash these paints out, Mommy” at which point I realize she has covered her whole body with highlighter two hours before my sister comes from NYC for her bi-annual visit. Addiction, you say? My 1-year-old cries when he sees the computer open. (He also cries upon seeing any adult in any situation, I remind myself.)
Me too!
My ‘office’ is in the family room so I am usually at my desk off and on through out the day.
My husband says that most people don’t have their computers on 24/7…I think he is wrong. We are a computer family.
It will get worse when I inherit DH’s iPhone in a couple weeks.
The internet is my best friend! LOL
Connies last blog post..The Summer Quilt
Lately I’ve been limited just because I am so busy busy busy. I get most of my blog reading in first thing in the morning and then when I’m putting The Poo to bed. She needs company to fall asleep and I bring my laptop in.
Since I write an online column as well as the ol’ bloggeroo, I also have a sitter who comes twice a weeks so I can go write at the local coffeehouse. I squeeze in blogging then, too.
I’m trying to make an effort to be more present at home with The Poo, especially with baby on the way soon. But you’re right - it is hard to do!
Mrs. Chickens last blog post..Nursery Prep
When my laptop broke, I wasn’t going to buy a new one. I was amazingly productive during those weeks when it was out of commission. But for some godforsaken reason, DH convinced me I needed to buy the macbook I’d been drooling over for MONTHS. Of course, he didn’t have to twist my arm too far. Now I’m back to spending most of my days online, connecting with the outside world in the manner I feel safest.
Last night I went to Caribou with Marvin (my macbook) while DH took care of the boys. We chatted over IM and I think we had more of a conversation than we usually do when we’re both at home. Something’s GOT to be wrong with that.
McMamas last blog post..Haiku Friday - Mental Health Edition
i’m addicted. yes. i am.
but, the truth is, most of my internet checking and usage is from work…which totally doesn’t take away from time with the kids. and then i use it in the evenings, mostly once they are in bed. but i use it and abuse it.
alis last blog post..tuition well spent…and a race around the world
yep, that’s me - even the stuck rice krispies
mandys last blog post....because I, for whatever reason, dont post a lot of pictures
Ummm…yeah. That’s totally. Hi, I’m Christina, and I’m an internet addict. My kis is playing at my feet right now, and the breakfast dishes are in the sink and yesterday’s laundry still in the dryer.
Christinas last blog post..Wii won!
I turn my computer off and put it in another room - otherwise I’d be on it all day (when I’m not wiping butts, getting snacks, playing cars, playing outside etc etc). It’s bad when I’m at work too…
Teris last blog post..February in June
Oh yeah - now that I’m home all day I find myself checking all my favorite blogs all day long, until they post something. And twitter. Refresh refresh refresh. And then you told me about Sumble Upon. oh geez - I find so many good pictures/posts through that. I tend to limit it to Liam’s naps - or I try - but when he’s up and I’m looking online I have to be fast. No comments no replys then. I think getting a laptop did me in. Before - our big ol’ computer was in the basement, so I’d go down twice a day, check email, read a few blogs, post something, maybe, then head back up. Now? I couldn’t even tell you what shows are on TV cuz if I’m not reading a book I’m wondering around the internet. I really should stop, though. I get crabby when the kid tries to talk to me while I’m online or even the hubby. Yeah. It’s bad.
Cathys last blog post..‘cuz I’m a Sheep, Haiku Style
Oh yes… I could have written this. Although I DO open my reader… I allow myself three blogs with my coffee in the morning and then I TRY to wait until my kids 1 hr. of TV time in the afternoon to read any more. But email, twitter and stalking my own sitemeter… it’s like crack. I was wondering this morning how clean my house would be if we didn’t have a computer. And then I cried a little.
I have found it DOES help to set a timer. If I give myself 20 mins and then set the time, I DO get up after 20 mins. instead of 2 hrs. later…
Sue @ My Party of 6s last blog post..I Think I Might Be A Genius
omg, i’m so bad about time on my laptop too…but…it helps when your wireless internet keeps crashing out…pisses me off to the point of not wanting to be on the internet anymore
janelles last blog post..Haiku Friday
me too!! it’s so bad! i work for my dad doing stuff online…but, i go back and forth between my email and his work…it’s soooooo bad!!!
melissas last blog post..Haiku Friday…Life Status Quo…
Ugh. I know. I limit myself to just 20 minutes in the morning. And then I log on again when the boys nap in the afternoon for about 2 hours. Course that is also the time I have to squeeze in a run on the treadmill and a shower. And then sometimes I get on at night for about an hour before bed. Though that tends to tick off the hubby.
Kathryns last blog post..Feeling Grateful
Dude, I totally wasn’t experiencing DT’s last week when my computer wasn’t working. i swear.
I am so addicted, it’s awful. Yet wonderful. This is the worst/best drug. yikes.
rachels last blog post..A Strawberry ‘Ku
Sue, I should confess that I broke my own rule today about opening my reader. I just couldn’t help myself!
Cathy, if you just download twhirl you won’t have to refresh twitter! It’s a time saver. (Yes, I’m trying to lure you even further into the addiction.)
Ugh. I sometimes spend some much time online I end up in a nauseated coma like state. Not pretty. My job is pretty laid back so I have free time to surf periodically throughout the day. Nighttime is when I have the real problem. I end up going to be after midnight some nights because I can’t turn the stupid computer off. Not pretty when 6 a.m. rolls around.
Megans last blog post..I need more!
I spend way too much time on-line. With Steph and Paul out on their own now, Henry is in Texas for the month and Jason is camping for the weekend. All I have is time. There isn’t even anything to do. With everyone gone the house even stays clean.
Kendras last blog post..Through the Years
I work a full time desk job so I’m basically online all day but that’s because my job right now is very un-demanding. I’m constantly refreshing my google page because that’s where my reader and all my emails are so I always know if there is something new.
I don’t think I’d be online as much if I were home trying to entertain a 2 year old but maybe I would. I have extreme working mother guilt if I’m online at home before the wee one goes to bed.
And I try to stay unplugged on Saturday and Sunday.
heathers last blog post..who lives here?
The only way I get anything done lately is to use the computer as a reward.
Five minutes to check facebook/twitter stuff….go put in some laundry and fold a load…..check blogs and email….go unload and load the dishwasher…write a new blog entry….Bake some cookies….check computer inbetween batches…
It’s working for me. Kind of.
Sonjas last blog post..Birthday Take 2