I have a challenge for you. Can you disconnect to reconnect this Father’s Day? Can you set aside your computer, smartphone, iPod etc and commit to disconnecting from the digital world for 1 day and spend that time reconnecting with your family? Take a deep breath, I know I am asking a lot and it isn’t going to be easy. Here is why I am asking you to take the challenge…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.
In our household dad is the least connected to digital media out of all of us so I am asking families, not just dads to, to disconnect all day on Father’s Day 2011. I suggest you speak to your family about this challenge before Father’s Day and make the commitment to disconnect to reconnect as a family. 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.
Did you know that:
- 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.
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.
So, think about how much time you spend online versus how much time you spend face-to-face with the people you love you the most. And, at the very least, for 24 hours on Father’s Day, think about which connection is the most important to you – the one to the world? Or, the one to your family? #disconnect2reconnect
You can Win one of 3 copies of Phil Cooke’s book Jolt! Get the Jump on a World That’s Constantly Changing.
Mandatory 1st entry: Leave me a comment telling me you will take the challenge and what you think will be the hardest part of the challenge.
Bonus Entries:Leave a separate comment for each entry
- Like the Disconnect to Reconnect Facebook Page
- Follow author Phil Cooke on Twitter
- Follow MomMaven on Twitter
- Tweet this On Father’s Day we will #disconnect2reconnect thanks to @PhilCooke & @MomMaven You can too! Enter to #win here http://bit.ly/mCfMhe (you may do this 2x a day)
- Like this post on Facebook using the button at the bottom of this post
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- Blog subscribers, GFC friends, Networked blogs followers and Facebook likers get 1 entry each
This giveaway will end at 9pm June 18, 2011. US entries only. The winners will be chosen by Random.org and have 48 hours to respond to my email. **this giveaway is closed**
Disclosure: I received a copy of Phil Cooke’s book as a thank you for this post. All opinions are 100% mine.
Lindsay says
My dad is legally blind, so he doesn’t have to disconnect. I think it would be hard for me to stop checking emails. Haha!
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karenM says
i will take the challenge! The hardest for would be to disconnect from the internet, including all social media’s
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Like the Disconnect to Reconnect Facebook Page
Gumma Medlin
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Shanaka says
I accept! Sadly I rely on technology a lot more than I should.
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Lisa says
Getting my husband to actually put down his phone!
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ConnieFoggles says
It is so hard to disconnect since I have a smart phone. I’ll do my best though.