I have a confession to make. I sat down to write this an hour ago. But you know what? I just now — this very minute — opened a new document to start writing. That means I spent 60 unplanned minutes lost in cyber space. It’s not that they weren’t productive minutes. It’s just that they weren’t spent doing the things I truly need to accomplish — especially considering the fact that I’ve given up time with my kids to be here. Working.

As a work-from-home (or-a-coffee-shop) mom, this happens more often than not. With two email accounts, three kids, one husband, some freelance clients, one parenting blog, and a bunch of social media accounts — not to mention friendships, family ties, and a home to nurture — it seems there’s always something, or someone, begging for my attention.

Well, this summer I’m making a vow to myself — and to my family — that things will be different. Rather than getting carried away by a Twitter conversation, I plan to get carried away by an ocean breeze, or a pick-up game of water-balloon baseball. Instead of generously replying to endless PR email enquiries, I’m going to generously delete them. And I’m going to use these resolutions as my guide.

#1: Family First

This is the only summer I will have a 7-year-old son, a 4-year-old son, and a 2-year-old daughter. Ever. While I absolutely love my work as a writer, I know opportunities will still be there in the fall when my kids are all in school. I’m wrapping up long-term freelance commitments, saying no (for now!) to short-term commitments, and doing everything I possibly can to only take on work during the very limited number of hours a week I have child care. No more face-buried-in-the-screen responses like, “Mommy just needs a few more minutes.” Because to a 4-year old, a few minutes feels like an eternity. Plus I know I’ll look back and feel like summer was gone in a flash.

#2: No Photo Doesn’t Mean No Fun

I’ll admit, I’ve fallen into the trap of capturing every second of every day. It’s just so easy to pull out my iPhone and snap a few (or 50) adorable shots. You know, the ones that live happily ever after on my computer and don’t see the light of day? While I certainly will snap some photos here and there, I vow to be in those moments more often than I’m on the sidelines capturing them.

#3: Hands are for Hugging

Our preschool uses this saying to remind kids not to hit. I plan to use it to remind myself that if I’m typing, my hands aren’t readily available for the people I love. (And, chances are, my eyes and attention aren’t either.)

#4: Planned Social Engagements

While social media is a must for me as a blogger, it doesn’t have to be a constant. (This probably sounds obvious, but I’m afraid I’m that bad.) Rather than checking in here, there, and everywhere, I plan to dedicate a small amount of focused time each day to sharing, connecting, and engaging. No more quick replies in the checkout line. No more article reading as the waffles toast. No more “liking” other people’s adorable pictures while my kids are wrestling in the playroom.

#5: I Didn’t Marry a Machine

Sure, my husband falls under the resolution #1 umbrella, but he gets an extra shout out. Because, more often than not, he’s the one who spends his evenings gazing into my laptop screen as he cuddles up next to me on the couch.

Chances are, I’m going to miss out on some interesting emails and opportunities given these resolutions. But chances are, my family — and I — will be better off for it.

What about you? Do you have any summer tech resolutions?

Written by Amy Heinz

Amy Heinz is a San Francisco Bay Area mom of three and the writer behind Using Our Words — a parenting blog filled with lessons she’s learned (usually the hard way), laughs she’s enjoyed (mostly at her own expense), and tears she’s shed (this mama’s got heart). You can also find her on Facebook and Twitter (though not as frequently as she used to be…).

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