August 2nd, 2010
Three years ago for Mother’s Day…
I opened this.
I was stunned.
I nearly threw up.
And neither of these emotions was due to excitement…
of this I can assure you!
I am one of THE most technology challenged…
individuals walking…
sitting…
however you choose to look at it.
It’s almost mind boggling to those around me.
My kids frequently call my issue…
a “homeschooling moment.”
This is not meant as a compliment.
To make matters worse…
all 6 of the “men” in my life…
were looking on with a mix…
of joy and envy…
as I opened the package.
Yes, it’s true…
they had all decided…
that I should be the first iPhone owner…
in our family.
I seriously doubt…
that any of them have experienced…
a more paramount moment…
of insanity since.
With all of that being said…
My iPhone is indispensable.
I simply don’t know what I ever did without it.
It’s near-ability to vacuum and dust while whistling…
at least from my personal point of view…
is a never ceasing source of incredulous wonder on my part!
Perhaps I need to experience a more well-rounded life.
Or at least do something in “corporate America”…
for a reality check before I leave this earth.
I don’t know which side of this suggested equation…
would suffer more!
Since that fateful thoughtful Mother’s Day…
each of my three oldest sons…
and their father…
have entered the iPhone cult culture.
There are vast differences…
as to our level of allegiance…
to said cult culture.
For instance…
upgrade…
is something they do whenever a new model appears.
Me?
Why should I move “up”…
when I haven’t even fully utilized what I already own?
And apps?
Well…
at first…
I thought they were all saying “abs”…
and I couldn’t for the life of me…
figure out what was going on!
And since we all sync our phones…
on the same “port” or “dock”…
or whatever that dohickey…
thingamabob deal is…
I get everyone else’s “apps”…
that apparently…
they won’t make it through the day without!
For example…
there’s the “Bubblewrap App”.
Oh yes!…
when you’re “stressed”…
you simply begin to “pop” bubbles…
in the full screen of wrap!
Son #3 was quite proud…
to introduce me to this “seemingly necessary” life skill…
when we were running behind for an appointment!
Granted…
he felt better.
Especially…
since he managed to set a timer…
and watch me attempt to “beat the clock”!
Oliver and Rachel DeMille have stated…
more than once in recent months…
that social media…
will most definitely be a part…
of the Great Conversation for our children.
I am quite certain that this is true.
Imagine my thrill…
and yes, I am being serious now…
when I discovered a couple of “apps”…
that aid both young…
and not-so-young moms…
in using moments…
that “B. iP”…
(Before iPhone)
could’ve very easily been wasted.
I mean…
how many times are you “stuck”…
sitting…
waiting…
somewhere…
with literally nothing to do?
Oh yes indeed!…
that doctor’s “recheck”…
that should’ve been 10 minutes…
but ends up being one of those…
“he’s-had-an-emergency-and-we-know-you-understand…
one-hour-later” moments!
Or what about…
a “this-will-take-no-more-than-15-minutes…
once-we-have-the-part”…
at the mechanic moment?
And there you sit.
Because I love you…
and attempt to keep it real…
and somewhat cutting edge…
over here…
might I draw your attention to the following apps?
#1…
Flash Tables by frogameleon, ltd.
This app has great exercises!
You can set a timer…
or not…
depending on the proficiency of the child.
They choose the correct answer…
can do “all one number” exercises…
or “mix ‘em up.”
I distinctly remember shuffling actual paper flash cards…
when I was in school.
After I walked there in five feet of snow, of course!
#2…
Is the group of apps…
that are continually being added to…
in that well loved section of classics…
by none other than Dr. Seuss!
As you can see…
you have options here as well.
You can read…
be read to…
or hit auto play!
There are several to choose from in this genre, folks!
There’s this beloved holiday classic…
as well as this lesser-known work…
entitled “Gertrude McFuzz.”
Sons #1 and #2 are very well versed in this beauty.
It is about a bird with very little to offer in the way of plumage…
that compares herself to more decorated species…
and the lessons learned.
Son #2 used to state quite often…
during CORE and Love of Learning…
that he could be a Gertrude McFuzz…
but instead…
he would choose to be a “Lolla-Lee-Lou!”
This story became a part of our family culture…
that was revisited today.
Son #2 was stunned…
when I showed him the app…
and informed him that I would indeed…
be purchasing it…
for Sons #4 and #5.
He was speechless…
because there it was…
in his beloved iTunes store.
I think he may be calling Steve Jobs today…
to tell him how very clever his mom/mentor really is.
Or not.
Now, if you’ll excuse me…
I think that I will go and practice my “12s!”…
I don’t know about you…
but mine can always use work!
What social media do you use or need to use…
to perhaps begin modeling relevance and usefulness?
Filed under Leadership Education, Love to Learn | Comments (10)
