The hallways are empty. The students are gone. The few of us left in the building are wrapping things up, sweeping hallways, completing final tasks we want off our desks before we leave for the holiday. The quiet building is both a blessing and a curse. The speed at which work can get done is much faster, but the energy and light of the students are gone.
Recently, my sons asked me if for two hours every night I could unplug. They told me no laptop, no work email, no cell phone web surfing. I said sure, no problem, won't be hard at all. So, my oldest took my work bag, and my phone, plugged them in so they would charge in my bedroom while we played games, reviewed homework, and made dinner together in the kitchen.
The thing is, it was hard. It took me several days to adjust. There were times I literally felt a little twitchy. But this simple request taught me so much. It illustrated the fact that so much of my time my children were sharing me with the world outside. I realized they had to complete with my devices all the time.
So, my simple message is this. Unplug. Physically put your devices in another room. See your children, your friends. Notice the little things that would have slipped by had you been partially distracted. Take an extra minute to ask one more question. Don't take no for an answer when your children say they do not want to play that board game or watch a holiday movie. Just be together. Be together with anyone that matters to you.
