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!
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!
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 !!
ReplyDeleteperhaps....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.
ReplyDeleteActually 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
Enjoyable read - how did the teenager respond to your insistence on non-technological interactions?
ReplyDeleteAnd thus begins the generational divide all over again! and we are on the 'wrong' side this time.
ReplyDelete