After a broken night's sleep, the 5.30am start from our 2 year old was even less welcome than usual this morning. You'd think we would be used to it by now but being awoken suddenly from deep sleep is torturous whatever the frequency.
With a grumpy Jones in need of some serious recuperation from a tough week and a frighteningly LOUD and OVER-EXCITED toddler, I thought it best we try and disappear for an hour. Dragged my groggy backside out of bed, and headed out for an early morning walk of muddy puddles in our new shark gumboots (his not mine).
With a grumpy Jones in need of some serious recuperation from a tough week and a frighteningly LOUD and OVER-EXCITED toddler, I thought it best we try and disappear for an hour. Dragged my groggy backside out of bed, and headed out for an early morning walk of muddy puddles in our new shark gumboots (his not mine).
In the ssshhhh, ssshhhh come on come on, hurry hurry, I left my phone at home. I always take it with me in that mildly obsessed way most of us do.......what if there's an AMAZING or MUST SEE photo opportunity, or I get lost (?!) or I need to Google something immediately, or someone is desperate to get hold of me (they never are), or, or or....... Realising it was still on the kitchen table, I felt a mild flicker of panic and immediately told myself not to be so ridiculous. This is, after all, one of my goals.....less attachment to technology devices, more meaningful time spent in the present. Off we bounced....It was a beautiful autumn morning and my little man and I spent over an hour playing aeroplanes, going on a bear hunt, jumping in some puddles and having a pretty fun time. It was liberating to spend this precious time with him (I'd also left his baby sister at home) – to dedicate attention solely to him and to get onto his wavelength with no distraction. | |
It sounds so obvious on paper but most of the time I just follow my keys, wallet, phone, check check check routine without any thought and then I suppose the habitual auto-pilot phone-usage goes from there. I often look at parents in the playground with their face glued to their phone (bar the occasional cursory locating-of -child-glance upwards) and think it's sad they're not engaging with their kids. To be honest, although I do try - I am no better. Someone could equally look at me and say the same. But not today! Today was good. For him, for me and for some good positive ZEN that made me feel happy all day.
I must try and go "off the grid" far more often.
I must try and go "off the grid" far more often.