{Name that movie and be my bestie.}

As summer winds down and the school year is getting ready to start, I’ve been feeling awfully guilty about my decision to send Kabes to preschool 4 days a week instead of 2 like most of our friends. This afternoon I was reminded why I made that decision. I’d hung up our wet towels from the pool and had just opened my computer to start working when I heard the telltale scream of nap that was over.

20 minutes.

all day.

husband gone for extended time.

work to do. lunch to eat. showers to take. house to clean. WORK TO DO.

And then I realize what I just said: I’d just hung up our towels from the pool. The pool. In the middle of a weekday. As I climbed the stairs to get my cranky, tired-but-won’t-sleep-more-baby, I think for the 1,000th time how lucky I am to be able to spend my days with him AND work.

I’ve said repeatedly how grateful I am to live in the 21st century and that statement holds even more truth now that I’m a parent. My mom never could have been at home and worked at the same time. I’m a part of the first generation that even has to consider “opting in”- there was never even a choice before.

Ironically, since I’m known for my ability to magically break anything electronic, I owe my gratitude to technology. On any given day I interact with no less than 5 amazing creations: my smartphone, a tablet, my laptop. A dishwasher that I can set to clean my dishes while I’m asleep. A dryer that will periodically fluff my clothes so they don’t get wrinkled while I forget I’m in the middle of a load of laundry. THE INTERNET. WiFi. Public places that have free WiFi. A video monitor that lets me watch my little guy sleep when he finally goes down peacefully for the night.

These crazy once-sci-fi-sounding things let me work from home, raise my child, and not feel alone while I do it. Have you ever worked from home? It’s totally awesome. For a week. Then it’s lonely, isolating, monotonous. Most of the time my entire socialization for the day comes from someone under the age of 2. But with Twitter, Facebook, and group texting, I’m able to connect with my friends at any moment of any given day. If I have a question I can ask people on Twitter {which will likely elicit a better response than said toddler}. I can plan a play date with mommy friends without having to scream over the raucousness of a 19 month old. I can keep up with friends from college in between writing for work. I’m currently looking at a thread of over 250 messages in a group convo on fb messenger with friends that span at least 5 states. I can go to the grocery store in the middle of the day when it’s not crowded and I can see my friends without having to wait until the babe is asleep. My family 2 states away can see our daily adventures on Instagram and witness how fast my little guy is growing. My son can Skype with his dad while he’s away for work, and I can spend time with my husband when he’s not traveling and working remotely from home.

So when I think about it I’m pretty ok with 4 days of school. It’ll let me dedicate time solely to work instead of having to balance running around typing on my tablet while playing choo choo trains and chasing deflating balloons around the yard. Perhaps, if I stay on top of things, it will even let me do something for myself. Me. Just me. {Whatever the heck that means?!}

How has technology changed or shaped your life? How do you use it to connect with friends, family, coworkers…?