Chew On This.

Had dinner with some friends tonight and checked my phone and read a couple texts more times than I would like to admit. When did this become socially acceptable?

And friends that I was with please take this as my apology for being rude. Not only was I late (by an hour) but I also checked my phone a couple times. Oy!

Have been thinking about this topic of people and cell phones and social media and when is too much, too much.

Have been trying to not update every time we do something or go somewhere and instead enjoy the moment more.

Spent today at the Children's Museum. Just me. My littles. And the other few dozen folks who were there today.

And noticed so many parents texting and tweeting and updating throughout the day. Walking and talking and pushing strollers and standing in elevators.

One mom sat smack dab next to the door of the Wizard of Oz exhibit and her eyes never left the screen of her Iphone.

I caught myself texting a couple pictures of my kids to some friends and family that I knew would like a glimpse at our day. Justifying my own actions but not leaving room for others actions.

I want to be a present parent who enjoys and lives in the moment with my kids. Sometimes I love to snap a picture and text it off to J, or my dad, or my aunt in Virginia and say hey, look at this! We are having so much fun. And I have decided that I am ok with this.

But sometimes I know I cross the line. When I am saying, Wait, hold on, I want to take a picture. Or, Hold on I'm sending a quick text.

I like to think I've done a good job with this but always know that when I am being honest with myself there is room for improvement.

Over the last four years I've done a good job with establishing computer time boundaries and rules for myself because my job first and foremost is mom so my emails and blog things etc can all wait until naptime or bedtime most days. (With that said, I do check email and balance my checkbook every morning but besides that try to have computer free days unless my kids are napping/having rest time.)

But the cell phone thing. Not just talking. But texting and tweeting and facebooking...that's where there is grey.

This sort of thing and the affects on our children is hitting the news like mad these days.

The New York Times has a story on it here. The Star Tribune Cribsheet blog has a story (linking to a previous story I did on cell phones way back when) here. For one more Minnesota mom's take on this, go read her thoughts here.

What do you think? Is this something you struggle with? What are your boundaries when it comes to computer time and cell phone time and your kids?