I have an iPhone addiction

This article isn't about apps necessarily, but about taking a break from them now and then. My son wanted nothing more than to snuggle with his mom tonight as he went to bed. I obliged him, and lay beside him as he was falling asleep. While his eyes looked into mine, my eyes looked into…my iPhone. I'm embarrassed to admit it, but there it is. As I glanced from my phone to him, I asked myself, "What the heck are you doing?"

I think it's common for many people to stay plugged in 24/7 these days. My phone is nearly always in my hand or in my pocket. I check my email many times a day. I pop in on Facebook more times than I'd like to admit. I even played way too many hours of Candy Crush Saga before I eventually deleted it from my phone. (I was mad at myself for wasting so much time on a silly game.)

But, what's the price for always being on? Nearly missing precious moments with my son, that's what. I can never get this time back. He will never be 21 months, six days old again. Ever. He won't always want to snuggle face to face with me. It's necessary to spend some time on my phone, and even OK to use as a form of entertainment, but shouldn't I put it down now and then? I think so.

I've decided to put my phone and computer away (except for phone calls from family) after 6 p.m. every day starting tomorrow. My fascination with trying out the latest apps won't end, but my time on my phone will be limited. I think it will help us all relax more before bed and will ease the transition from work to family time. When you work from home, it's sometimes difficult to set boundaries of work and personal time. That distinction has become necessary for me, though, to ensure that I get the most out of time with my friends and family.

Do you unplug at a certain time each day?

Photo courtesy chrisjtse via Flickr.