Last updated on March 4th, 2024 at 08:19 pm
Last week, was a frustrating one. Only a few weeks away from our big trip to America and so many things to get done before we go, my internet company decided to test me. They turned off my wifi as we are switching to a faster high speed one, three weeks earlier than the date I told them. I called them to get it turned back on and they basically said sorry about your bad luck, we would have to set you up a new account if we did that.
I panicked, looking at the long list of blog posts I wanted to write leading up to my trip to America. I found myself in cafes while the kids slept in the double stroller, leaning against the fence out back to borrow (with permission) the neighbors wifi and even going to the next door pub, late Wednesday night to comment on all my lovely Share With Me linky supporters.
I normally don’t work while the kids are awake but now that Missy Moo is older and can play around at soft play areas independently, I thought, they have free wifi, the kids can play, win-win.
As the kids were running around next to me, I got my laptop up, signed in to their wifi, then looked back and thought, no way! Technology may have failed me but but I am not going to fail my kids. I immediately shut the laptop and got down on the floor to play with the kids.
Yes, they would have been fine. Yes, it wouldn’t have been bad if i did do a little bit of work while they played. Playing independently is an important skill! But soon I will be surrounded by all my HUGE family and friends back home, and I will have to share my time for two whole months with my kids.
So I took the opportunity to cherish this ordinary moment, with just the three of us. It was a lovely afternoon full of laughter and Missy Moo even got up on one of the bikes for the first time and raced her brother. To Buba’s surprise, she beat him! She was a pro, I was so proud of her and glad I put the laptop away.
It was hard not having technology right at my finger tips. I felt a bit lost last week as I don’t have cell service at my house either. I had got far behind on my commenting and for that I apologize to everyone. But it gave me a week to re-prioritize a few things and enjoy life’s guilty pleasures that I used to, like smut tv and glossy magazines and being silly with my kids!
I love this post Jenny. It is hard sometimes feeling like you need to keep up with all the blog stuff- I fall victim to it myself all the time, thinking I need to write a post, or comment on something or whatever. But actually deep deep down a little voice in my head goes to me occasionally ‘Katie what are you doing? Deep down it doesn’t matter.’ And then sometimes I need to take a step back to realise that myself. Because in years to come when my girls are older and not as interested in being around their Mummy I don’t want to look back and think I didn’t give them my all because I was too busy commenting on other blogs or answering emails!
Blogging is such a huge part of my life and I am SO thankful for the friends I have made and the opportunities that have come from it, (I wouldn’t be able to stay at home with my girls if it wasn’t for blogging) but what I guess I am trying to say in a really rambly, long way is that I need to switch off more occasionally too. I have got a lot better and now try not to blog at least a couple of evenings in the week, but I still have a way to go! I never go on the laptop while the girls are up in the day (thankfully they nap!) but I need to get better at putting down my phone.
Haha longest comment ever!!! xxx
Hahaha I couldn’t agree with you more. I never do it either when the kids are awake. But yes I need to put the phone down too. Lol it’s so easy to just do a little here and there because like you it’s keeping me able to stay at home with little money here and there. But life is too short and they are only young once. Love your comment.
Good for you! You’re so right! Sometimes you just have to switch off! And I echo exactly what Katie has sad – beautifully put!
Thanks Emily. Sometimes a little perspective is all you need.
It’s definitely necessary to take a step back sometimes
I couldn’t agree with you more!
Does this come under the heading of ‘everything happens for a reason’?! It’s a little reassuring in someways to know that I’m not the only one sometimes feeling a little overwhelmed by the wish to ‘keep up’ with all the social media at our fingertips – sometimes an enforced break is probably a good thing – and go Missy Moo on the bike – all that time spent observing your brother has clearly paid off!
Yes you couldn’t be more right. We can’t do it all – all the time can we? Lol it’s nice that everything happens for a reason indeed. Not that I ever ignore my kids with my laptop but you know what I mean. Lol you couldn’t have said it better. Thanks for the lovely comment.
I’d stress if this happened, too! But like you, I think it’d make me re-assess and stop and enjoy a few more ordinary moments. I’m glad you’re finding ways around it and embracing the moments that it’s offering you x
Thanks Jocelyn. It was a great ordinary moment. It did force me to get creative with my evening time too! lol
There’s a lot to be said for kicking back with technology and just spending time together-we’ve just done that whilst camping over the weekend. I try to keep my blogging to evenings if at all possible but that’s because I also write for a living. Can be tricky to manage. I’m glad you got to enjoy some time, despite the stressful circumstances x
Yes, me too. I never blog during the day with the kids. It was only in the circumstances of not having wifi and a huge Share With Me linky to respond to that I was trying to get creative. I hope I made that clear otherwise it just makes me look like an extremely bad parent. AHHHHH!!! lol
Sometimes I do think that these things happen for a reason Jenny – you were able to spend time with your lovely children and prioritise organising your amazing trip away! The blog and comments are always still there another day – can you tell that I’m saying that to myself too?! Good decision lady 🙂 x x
hahaha Good, I really hope I am not the only one that may contemplate it from time to time as it takes over ones life. I guess this post kinda made me look like a bad parent. Oops wasn’t going for that. lol But glad I put the laptop away and enjoyed a lovely play time with my kids before our big trip!!! lol
aww lovely post – must have drive you crazy without having wifi – it’s amazing how we are all so used to having so much technology at our fingertips now! Glad you survived though and managed to enjoy your time with your kids and put blogging worries slightly aside! I have this fab image of you sitting next to the garden fence trying desperately to use next door’s wifi lol! Great post though and sounds like Missy Moo is doing so well! xx #whatsthestory
Thank you so much Caroline, for your comment and I am so glad you saw my humor of me standing next to the fence and leaning on it for that wifi. I really did! It was hilarious. yes, always good to spend quality time with the kids and slightly put it aside but it is very much apart of me now. So funny how it does that. Technology failing is a big frustration though I hope it doesn’t happen again. hahahahaha
Keeping up with it all is tough isn’t it, but you do an amazing job! Lovely post #whatsthestory
It really is tough to keep up and keep things on the right days for link ups and go back if no one has linked up yet to comment. baby brain makes me forget. Yes I declare baby brain still after a year. lol
This is a beautiful post Jenny and Katie’s reply has took the words out of my mouth. I bet you can’t wait for your family trip to America and for them to finally meet your gorgeous little ones. Can’t wait to hear all about it xx
I really can’t Michelle. it’s like starting the first day of school and wondering what everyone will think….except larger. It’s my daughter! I can’t wait to show her off and how big my son has got.
Katie took the words right out of my mouth! It’s hard sometimes juggling blogging and motherhood, especially when you’ve got other stuff going on too. So glad, for your sake, you chose to get down on the floor with the kids 🙂
Just re-followed you on instagram. I was just thinking the other day “I haven’t seen anything from Jenny on IG in ages, I wonder is she okay” and somehow it showed up as I wasn’t following you anymore. How annoying! Can’t wait to see you on Friday!
Excited to meet you Friday too. Glad you re found me on ig. Love ig not going anywhere. Hahahah oh yes I always put the kids first this would have been a one off as I had no wifi but then thought not even that is worth it. I am a good mom clearly I didn’t write this very well as everyone is commending me for doing the right thing. Haha like I don’t always. I might have to go back and reword. It was just a magical fun ordinary moment together. Lol thanks for commenting hunny. See u soon.
Well done you for doing the important things in life
It was a one off anyway as I had no wifi to do it after they went to bed but sometimes it’s nice to just put it away and bond with the kids.
So hard to find the balance sometimes but I think you made the right decision. I don’t think anyone could ever think you were a bad Mom – you clearly put the kids first, even with the huge task of reading and commenting on all your Share with Me link ups – you put so much into your comments too, its obvious that you really enjoy reading and commenting. X
Thanks Sam. I would never just half ass comment or not read properly. People take the time to support me and my linky I want to take the time to read their words and comment. Thanks glad as others are starting to give me advice. Guess this wasn’t well written. Hahaha
I hate it when my internet goes off unexpectedly. Happens all the time!!
What Katie said! Although I am guilty of doing some work when the kids are awake, with the time difference I find it hard not too… But I need to sort myself out, I’m hoping that the enforced change to my routine that the summer vacation will bring will sort me out a bit!
I tend to her wrapped up ok doing blogging things and am the worst for looking at my phone constantly. 5 mins can turn into about 20 just scrolling and having wifi is like one big comfort blanket. I know I’d start getting a bit twitchy if it wasn’t there. I have gotten a lot better over time thankfully and try not to go on social media when I’m having z time. There was a time I’d think nothing of flicking on data roaming abroad “just to check” but have reined it in now. Hope your wifi gets sorted soon.
Gosh well done you Jenny, sounds like it was a stressful time. Great though that you could spend some quality time with the kids instead though. I didn’t realise you were going back to the US for 2 months, that’s very exciting indeed! Look forward to seeing you later in the week. Thanks for sharing with #whatsthestory x
I love this post Jenny. I am such a slave to the internet too, and this blogging thing is all-consuming. I LOVE it but it is so hard not to get carried away and forget to actually pay attention to my flesh-and-blood baby (and my poor, long-suffering husband…).
When M was a newborn we made a rule in this house: no mucking about on phones or laptops while he is around. I think you’re right about kids needing to learn to play independently, but they grow up so fast… Soon he won’t want me there anymore!
I think you do a great job commenting thoughtfully on everyone’s blogs and keeping up with your own! I’m sure it was frustrating being without the internet. Sounds like you did great making the best of it though!!
I do try my very best. Thank you for your lovely compliment back!!! I always want to give support back to those that support me. Pay it forward as well! 🙂