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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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
lol – some mornings I wake up and promise myself that I’ll wait until atleast after breakfast to open up the laptop…some days I’m more successful than others.
LifeAsIKnowIts last blog post..Sa-wing…Batter!
Addict, addict, addict!
Jens last blog post..Eye (want) Candy!
I’m online a lot during the day when I’m in front of a computer (read between the lines.) When I get home I honestly am trying to cut back. It annoys the hell out of my husband if I am online during the primo supper time getting kids ready for bed time and I can’t say that I can blame him.
I don’t Twitter or Plurk, though, and I don’t check e-mail on my antiquated cell phone.
But yeah I usually spend a couple of hours a day either working on my blogs, blog writing, or reading/commenting. I try to have Blog Free Sundays, though, and for the most part Saturdays, depending on what’s going on.
Jamies last blog post..Trampy, Toothless Tots R Us
My hubby and son both say that I’m addicted to the internet… I too listen for the “dings” when new emails come in.
I do not do Twitter (thank God) and I bet I don’t nearly get as many emails as you, Jennifer, but I obsess just the same.
Now, go OUTSIDE!!!
Kristins last blog post..Meme Virgin
No comment.
Greta/Does This Blog Make Us Look Fats last blog post..Happy Goiter Friday (seriously, it’s a holiday, look it up)
I’m a very talented multi-tasker – that’s how I’m able to do this and work at the same time! No, but seriously, it depends on how heavy my workload is. Sometimes I wait for my lunch hour. Otherwise, I have to wait for the evening, when all the kids and hubby are asleep, to feed my addiction.
SherE1s last blog post..We’ve got skillz
I try really hard to NOT get online in the evenings and spend time with my husband. Sometimes it’s hard, tho, since my husband’s choice in TV shows is atrocious. I’d MUCH rather be online than watch Future Weapons. Gag!
YES, it is very addicting!!
For me the hardest is being in the middle of something and stopping and starting constantly to take care of the kids! I try to do computer time late at night as much as possible, but I do sometimes get pulled in during the day when I SHOULD be doing other things- kids, chores, etc…
Laura@StorytellinMamas last blog post..Here comes Peter Cottontail…
Well, I have a hard time because I work from home and sometimes I don’t have the best self control when it comes to reading blogs and emails. If things aren’t going well for me when editing I think I will just peek on the net for a *minute* Which quickly turns to ten, twenty…omg where did that hour go?!!?
Thankfully my girls are older (10 and 13) But when they were younger the computer was in the family area. Their computer still is, but my computer is in my office downstairs in the finished basement so I can edit in peace. I have “office hours” and this is their free time upstairs. Mostly they watch fashion shows and disney channel or play video games.
Well I should get back to work.
Heathers last blog post..cute hair, no pics
I have my own business, so therefore I have a pretty flexible schedule.
That is NOT a good thing, trust me.
Oh, for some people it would be OK, but not me.
Until I started my own business, I had no idea I was a procrastinator, but I found out real quick that when no one is looking over my shoulder, I can goof with the best of em.
I use enormous stores of will power and only occasionally lose huge amounts of time online.
It’s a constant battle with myself though.
The MOUNTAIN of laundry that sits undone is testament to my blog addiction. It’s ridiculous because right this minute I could have a load going in the wash and dryer, and still be on the computer, but no. I’ve done nothing. Sad sad sad.
We should start another blog as a support group!
all things bds last blog post..Oh, You Have to Read This
Biggest addict ever.
Seriously.
It hasn’t been as noticeable lately b/c I’m too friggin busy at work to read many blogs. But oy. Even just the writing & the email & the Flickr & the ocassional Twitter are killing me.
Lawyer Mamas last blog post..My Little Swimmer
I work, but I have two screens at work. So that helps a lot when I have things I want to look at. I also have a boss who doesn’t care what I do as long as I keep doing it well and on time.
When I’m home, my laptop travels with me from room to room. When I’m home all day with my boy, he lets me know when I’m not there enough for him (“there” meaning staring at my laptop while I’m sitting on the couch).
I am obsessed as well. But that’s just my life nowadays.
It’s good to know I am not alone. Your life sounds strangely close to mine except my children are old enough to fend for themselves so I have even less incentive to turn off the computer. I’m teaching them the valuable skill of independence.
Do they have twelve step programs for this?
Sarah in Disturbias last blog post..Haiku Friday
A big part of my problem is that the days that I am not AT work, I am working from home, and even in the evenings I am expected to be online and available to answer questions seemingly 24/7. We have collaborators all over the world and are dealing with all the time zones. So, YES, my laptop is open and up whenever I am awake. My email is up ALL THE TIME, and honestly for time management my reader is up all the time, otherwise I get overwhelmed. I find that if I can read something, right when it comes up, rather than 50-100 at a time I am much more likely to comment and I don’t feel stressed by something that is supposed to be pleasurable. That said, my hard core blogging stuff is mainly done when the kids are napping or in bed. I will read posts during conference calls or write during my daily commute (I carpool). If I am on when the kids are awake, it is for work, minus the quick read here or there of a post.
abunslifes last blog post..Where do you do your business?
I spend too much time online as well. During our slow times at work (right now) I spend waaaaaay too much time online, but everyone else does at work too. Most of them play games online, I choose to stalk blogs.
I do try to make a point once I get home that I won’t get online until after my son’s bedtime.
Notice I said TRY. I’m getting better though.
The bottom line is that as long as I have distractions, I manage my time well. When I don’t have anything else to do, I don’t.
Natalies last blog post..It’s a Non-Explanation, Really
I’ve been trying to dial back my addiction, and it’s tough. I feel bad that I can’t spend the time online that I want to. Tabs get left open without comments left.
Lots of IMming, Twittering, etc. going on.
This one nap a day thing sucks for me because *I* desperately need the sleep too, or I turn into a raging beyotch. Therefore my time online is limited to less attention heavy usages – IM, Twitter, Plurk if I really feel like it.
It *is* good to teach them to be independent, no?
VDogs last blog post..Weekly Winners ~ Father’s Day Edition
I feel completely lost if I’m not signed into iGoogle. I’ll start to go into withdrawal after two hours. That’s worse than my caffeine addiction.
ms blues last blog post..we’ve got a winner
How cool was that … to enter my 48th HF link in the Mr. Linky and come up as #48. I wish I had #49 written & published so I could enter it right away, but … alas … it’s just ‘in the works’ and won’t be ready to publish for a while.
I’m having continued ‘computer issues’ today and doing what I can to deal with them, so your question is ‘timely’ … for I realize how much I’ve come to enjoy this ‘blogging’ phenomenon and how much I miss it when I’m off doing other things and/or when this old, slow computer just won’t cooperate.
I guess that qualifies me as a ‘total addict in withdrawal’ … getting occasional ‘fixes’ to tide me over … waiting for Dell (my pusher) to deliver. I don’t know anything about ‘twitter’ and belong to no ‘social groups’ …(other than Blog 365, but I never check the Ning site)… though I do participate in a variety of weekly ‘memes’ like Haiku Friday …(and a host of others listed in the About Me section of my sidebars) and look forward to the ‘interaction’ with those who participate as well. For now … it’s back to the editor mode to finish #49 … then maybe I’ll be able to visit others.
Hugs and blessings,
storytellers last blog post..HF #48 – Running Late but Feeling Grateful and Sharing a bit of Love Today
I’ve been really thinking about this a lot lately mainly b/c I find myself checking my mail, reader, twitter about 1000x a day. It’s maddening, really it is.
Fairly Odd Mothers last blog post..What’s New?
I am SOOOOOOOOOO late today!!! But I have only been in the house for like 3 hours today!!
With the exception of today I could SO be your post, Jennifer. I thrive on the emails and posts. I feel such terrible guilt…but it’s like if I’m in the house I can’t step away and time just FLIES away when I’m on here!!
That being said, when I do go out I don’t miss it! Interesting, isn’t it?
Sarahs last blog post..Hai-BOO!
Just found your site today, clicking through links … maybe from a constance site?
I am totally guilty of this! But I try to limit my time when my son is awake … when he’s watching Sesame Street or sleeping, I am blogging or reading emails … and late at night I check the reader, respond to comments, surf the web. It’s worse at work, where I barely get anything done all day because I am On The Internet. It’s a sickness.
In my defense … I feel guilty if my son is playing nicely by himself and I am reading a book. But I cannot be his playmate 24/7 , nor should he expect me to be. So I have to remind myself of that every day.
moos last blog post..seriously, is this week over yet?
Seriously great post.
I have been there. Done that.
And w/ 3 kids… can’t do that anymore. My computer is off during the day. That is all.
I read comments, blog, write, read blogs, plurk, spend time online at night. And I freaking get so happy when you comment on one of my posts. Eeekkkk….. I think I have a problem.
ohmommys last blog post..Oh. My. Gosh. I am not ready to stop singing.
Hi, my name is Jill and I’m a total and complete computer addict.
Jills last blog post..I’m Back In The Saddle Again
Hi Moo! Glad you clicked over…even if it was from an embarrassing comment at Constance’s place
! Welcome!
OHMommy, I feel the same joy when you comment here!
I’m impressed, SERIOUSLY, that you only get on the computer in the evenings. How do you still manage to make all your rounds and write well? I really need to learn to limit my time to the two hours the kiddos nap!
Oh you just made me feel so much better about my internet addiction. I’m so glad to hear that there are others out there like me. Reason #859 why I love this blog.
Rph Mommys last blog post..I got nothing today.
Totally addicted Stay at Home Mom here. Granted, I have two really good excuses… no, make that three:
1. No friends in the area. None. My entire social life is on this computer.
2. Networking. I’m writing a novel in between the mom stuff, and the internet is the best for making connections with other writers/authors/publishers/agents in my field of interest.
3. No. Car. Yes, you read that right. I take the definition of Stay At Home Mom to new heights; we actually Stay. At. Home. Except for escapes…. er, I mean, walks to the beach. which is luckily within walking distance. I’d go nuts otherwise. More nuts. You know what I mean.
I have always wondered why Rice Krispies, moreso than any other cereal, become so difficult to remove from the bowl.
Caseys last blog post..Beans, Beans, The Magical Fruit…
Count me among the addicted. Although now that I’m working, I’m finding it easier to manage (as you can see by the ridiculous lateness of this comment). When I was at home, I would hover over the laptop all day. It’s so tempting.
andis last blog post..How to embarrass yourself at work
I am completely addicted to the Internet too. I do about what you do, I turn it on in the morning and just leave it on all day when I’m home. I’ll even leave a messenger program on all the time, so anyone can send me a message when they’re around.
I’m finding it hard to balance blogging/Internet with everything else in my life this summer. I rarely use the computer in the evenings like I did before. I also don’t turn it on as early in the mornings. But naptimes is a great time to catch up a little (although I feel like I’m always catching up then). I need to find a routine in my online time. Then maybe I can get everything done without spending too much time and never getting everything done.
Mommy Daisys last blog post..Full speed ahead
[...] my post last week where we all fessed up to our serious Internet addictions, I’ve decided to help you in your effort to GET OFF THE COMPUTER and spend more time with [...]
At home, I am pretty disciplined. Mostly. I can check my email. Or check Twhirl. Or check my feed reader for x-number-of-new posts (which I am obviously impossibly behind on at the moment). And then I balance it with watching a show on the DVR while I fold laundry. Or tackle a couple of chores. Or read a magazine or a book. I *have* to be disciplined because otherwise I would just not leave my chair. And so most of the time, I am. Of course I live alone so I lack about 95% of the demands you have on your time.
I was mostly going to reply to your curiosity about those of us who play online at work. I work for a small company and with the exception of my first 45 minutes in the morning, my last 90 minute of the day and an occasional random project, I spend the majority of my day answering the phone. Between phone calls, I am allowed to do whatever I like (within reason, of course) to keep myself entertained. Which for me is blog and tackle my Google Reader and keep up with the Twitterings. All completely guilt-free. Have I mentioned that I love my job (most days)?
Dawns last blog post..And I Quote: June 26, 2008
I’m reforming. cuz I can’t knit and blog at the same time. So really it’s just one addiction for another.
my gps now speaks British English all cuz of you.
Dawns last blog post..Haiku Tshirt