On June 19th, Father’s Day, disconnect your digital device for 24 hours and reconnect with your family. Author and longtime media consultant Phil Cooke is asking dads everywhere to disconnect from technology – phones, Facebook, Twitter, email, TV – and spend quality time with their kids for 24 hours this Father’s Day.
This challenge is inspired by Cooke’s new book Jolt! Get the Jump on a World That’s Constantly Changing (April 2011, Thomas Nelson), which lays out 25 “jolts” to help us set the “reset” button on our priorities and boundaries. We’re offering this book to you and your readers for participating in the challenge (see below).
Here are some interesting statics about how much we are addicted to technology.
*65% of North Americans spend more time with their computer than with their spouse.
**45% of workers say they can’t go more than 15 minutes without an interruption.
**50% of people leave their mobile phones on when they go to bed.
**Workers report that they leave their mobile phones on during movies, church & even sex.
I admit, I am addicted to technology in every way and my kids follow in my footsteps. My husband is not into technology in any way. So the disconnect would have to be on our end as a family to turn everything off and spend that quality time with him.
Here are two simple things you can do to make it happen:
1. Before going to bed the night before Father’s Day, check your e-mail one final time, turn off your mobile device and put it in another room. You may get the shakes, but you’ll get over it.
2. Plan the day well. Alcoholics are very susceptible during periods of boredom and it’s no different with an internet junkie. Plan a day of special activities with your family, so you’ll be less inclined/tempted to check email or go online. And, if the family takes you out, leave the mobile device at home! (You may be shocked, but yes – there was a time in ancient days when we actually left the house without a phone).
Remember – your kids watch your behavior more than they listen to your words. And when they see you unable to disconnect from email, text messages and Twitter? You’re telling them that what’s on your phone is more important to you than they are.
I am also giving away 4 copies of Phil Cooke’s new book, Jolt! Get the Jump on a World That’s Constantly Changing.
I usually don’t write about books because I am so tied up in technology I never have time to read, but I think this is a good cause and will teach some valuable lessons and allow families to actually reconnect.
If you want to win a copy of the book just leave me a comment telling me if you will be disconnecting on Father’s Day this year. I know I will be. All entries must be received before 06/17 midnight CST. US only. Make sure you leave a good email address because if you win you will need to verify within 48 hrs.
*I also received a copy of the book for writing this post. However, the book is just an addition because I would have written about this anyways.
About Jessica Benton
On Fathers Day I will be away from all computer and technology and enjoy grill out with my husband and father
cookster77@aol.com
Yes I will be so and my kids
Yes, we will be on our way to visit Dad that day anyway!
Twitter: ptowngirl25
says:
This is a great idea and I will disconnect if I can get my man to go along with it!
smchester at gmail dot com
This is great! I think we need to do this more often. Life, gadgets, etc has our attention majority of the time unfort.
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absoutely i’ll be disconnecting on fathers day
mverno@roadrunner.com