Social Media and “Us”

Heart to Heart

Tips for Thriving in your Marriage

“Are our social (media) lives sabotaging our love lives?”

- Charlotte Alter, writer for Time Magazine

ADHD Marriage blog and forum

Dr. Hallowell's website

Sign up for announcements related to ADHD & Marriage

Melissa's Upcoming  Events

Okay, right up front I’m going to admit that I have a bias about this. My husband LOVES technology. He has made his career in it, and he can’t envision life without two cell phones (yes, he carries two), four computer monitors at his desk (plus one at the kitchen counter) and an assortment of iPads.

He loves technology so much that I find I am constantly competing with it for his attention. Lots of people have this issue whether they realize it or not – tweeting, sending messages out on facebook, Instagram, reading email, posting on blogs (yes, I include that!), and surfing the net all give your time to people who are not with you instead of the people who are with you.

This is a loss. Those who physically live with us are the most important individuals in our lives. Or, if they aren’t, we shouldn’t be living with them! Time is limited. Make sure that technology doesn’t get in your way more than it needs to by agreeing to some simple rules about how it is used in the company of your family.  One of ours, for example, is no technology at the dinner table. We also try to create outings that are technology free (or social media free – when we bike my husband will take his Garmin to track his ride details, but the focus is on riding together.)  Other ideas include creating technology-free hours (for example banning all technology use on weekend afternoons) and setting specific times to step away from the computer at the end of the work day and be with your family so "instant contact" from coworkers doesn't take precedence over spending time with those closest to you.

Are there ways you can better balance today’s need for technology with creating the time to enrich your personal interactions?

THESE ARE THE LAST DAYS FOR SIGNING UP FOR MY APRIL 15TH LIVE SEMINAR.  USE "APRIL14" TO GET $20 OFF REGISTRATION.  IF YOU HAVE A CONFLICT WITH PASSOVER, YOU CAN EASILY MISS SESSION 1 AND LISTEN TO THE RECORDING LATER.  DON'T MISS THIS SESSION - MY NEXT ONE WON'T BE FOR ANOTHER 6 MONTHS.

© 2014 Melissa Orlov