Skip to main content

Technological displays of affection strictly prohibited!

Its Saturday morning....Would have loved to sleep in but have been up since 6.30. We had three kids over for a sleepover last night and of course since its not a school day, they have to wake up on their own much before they really need too:) But that's fine, it gave me a chance to have an early morning lengthy cuppa out on the terrace. Though the younger kids are up and about my TEENAGER is fast asleep. Its the one day she gets to sleep in. I tell the younger kids to play quietly but its a tall order and though they are not extremely loud, their laughter, chatter and Lirayas periodical Liraya screams fill the house.
I am on my computer by now and catching up with emails and Facebook. Suddenly there is a ping- new email alert. Who's it from? The TEENAGER! Apparently she is awake and sending me an email asking me to forward her her homework which comes to me weekly from school(another post on this later). She is directly below me. She doesn't think it necessary to walk up one flight of stairs and say good morning. Doesn't think its easier to shout out loud, "Ma, need my homework, please". No, she wakes up, puts on her computer and sends me an email. Its her way of saying, I am up....and ready to start the day! Okay I guess I must admire her diligence about her homework, but.....
And this has happened before. A few nights ago she skyped me to say goodnight. I skyped her right back to say, "Get up here right away and say goodnight properly". Can I blame her? She is surrounded by technology. Technology that we have introduced her to. An ipod touch, a cell phone, a school laptop, a home laptop (because the school laptop has many restrictions and she can't download music, movies on it etc). Perhaps she is more comfortable using technology to communicate? Perhaps she cannot even begin to comprehend why it's wrong to skype her parents goodnight?
But the fact of the matter is I don't like it. I don't want her to forget that a goodnight hug or a good morning kiss feels warmer than a ping on her laptop or a smiley on her screen. I can't take away her technology. I don't want to take away her technology. All I can do is keep insisting on the verbal good mornings and good nights, encourage hugs and give the cuddles. And keep up the mantra: No e-motions yet allowed in this house! Technological displays of affection strictly prohibited!

P.S. I have three other TEENAGERS to look forward to at regular intervals over the next few years. They will be even more technologically advanced by then! Perhaps I will even be happy when they skype me from their bedroom to say e morning!

Comments

  1. UnknownSeptember 8, 2012 at 2:19 AM

    very nice one Sanchita...My 10 year old kiddo can already put me to shame on handling technology stuff and to think of it ,I work with IBM !!

    ReplyDelete
  2. chandana AgarwalSeptember 10, 2012 at 6:04 AM

    perhaps....I feel once technology gives access to outsiders to intrude in your personal space is when u start realising that you want to switch it off for a bit. Your blog got me thinking about why we don't like a ping, and talking for myselg most likely it will be from a client making an unreasonable demand, so till such time that teachers start using it to give sudden tests at home or additional homework, I don't think much will change.

    Actually that has got me thinking further, in the corporate world we use technology as an excuse for inefficiency, so the feedback that needs to come by 6, can come by 9:30 pm and you know that the deadline won't shift, while in schools and thank god for it, it still only a medium of efficiency

    ReplyDelete
  3. savitaSeptember 18, 2012 at 10:44 AM

    Enjoyable read - how did the teenager respond to your insistence on non-technological interactions?

    ReplyDelete
  4. rituSeptember 21, 2012 at 8:35 AM

    And thus begins the generational divide all over again! and we are on the 'wrong' side this time.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Rebello Lobo Christmas update 2023- Transitions Trials Triumphs

It’s a few days before Christmas and here I am, sitting in one of my most favorite spots, the verandah of my ancestral home.  As I look back and contemplate the year that has been, I try to break down the share worthy moments and … I really do not know where to begin. The Rebello Lobo's have had another almost unbelievable year! A year of TRANSITIONS,  TRIALS and  TRIUMPHS. TRANSITIONS The Big move to Colombo Our 8 th move, was preluded by some formidable moments and so it was with much relief that we landed in Sri Lanka, the beautiful ‘Pearl of the Indian Ocean’- our home for the next (we hope) four years. Taliya took the journey very well and has since taken to Island life like quite the seasoned third culture dog she is. She might quite possibly be the only Lahsa Apso in Sri Lanka and as a result has been getting quite the celebrity attention. Colombo reminds us so much of home, and we are loving the food, the music, the culture, and the beaches. Home is just a one hour flight
Post a Comment
Read more

We didn't just raise a strong girl, we raised a warrior

Neeira-in the last 18 years you have brought us much pride, love, and laughter. We watched you become a remarkable person with a strong moral compass. You often taught us, that speaking up for something even in the most uncomfortable of situations was ALWAYS worth it. You never hesitated to break the silence for what needed to be said. You took on stigmas and cycles and chains for you believed they needed to end. Your loyalty to your sisters, your mother tongue, and your mother land is inspiring. And your diligence and discipline for anything you take on is admirable. As you celebrate this milestone birthday on the cusp of the new adventure that awaits you, we wish that all your dreams come true. We hope a spicy plate of biryani will always bring you comfort, that you meet your favorite Bollywood stars someday, that you get to travel and travel and travel and go do a semester at sea.  You have heard us saying ever so often 'life is unfair' and you will experience this yourself
5 comments
Read more

Lobo Rebello Christmas Family Update 2020

Dear friends and loved ones, Anything is possible, even the impossible. 2020 proved this right. What an aberrant year it was, so unexpected and utterly unbelievable. A virus came and took us hostage, built invisible walls that separated us from each other and savagely took away loved ones.  It was a year where everything was different and yet we couldn't  really pause because the business of life carried on. I n time we found a way circumventing through the  m onotony, the isolation, the paranoia, the frustration. Some of us trusted the science and followed the guidance, while some of us didn't and added to the frustration of those who did. The months passed, we celebrated lockdown birthdays and anniversaries, we expertly home schooled, and navigated new ways of working. We endured, we  innovated and dipped deep into our indomitable spirit, grit and resilience .  Yes, there were times we did lose our sanity but for the most part we survived pretty damn well.  And believe it or
2 comments
Read more