Fatherhood in 2010

I only spent a few months in 2009 as a father. That year is gone now. It is now 2010. Twenty Ten. The future, folks. And one can only imagine what the future will hold for us father figures. But if imagining is all I can do then I might as well do it.

I assume that this year will be a magical year of technological enhancements in the world of parenting. I expect to see things like holographic babysitters, hover strollers, and an iPhone app that acts like a remote control for your child. I’ve got high hopes for what the men and women of the tech world can bring to us this year.

Now, some people will say that technology only makes us more distant from each other. They would complain that disciplining your child by tweeting “@ChandlerSmith Go to your room!” would show a certain amount of disconnect. But I love technology. I love technology because by definition technology exists to improve our lives.

–noun1.

the branch of knowledge that deals with the creation and use of technical means and their interrelation with life…

I found that definition at dictionary.reference.com. I googled for it. It took me all of 10 seconds and I didn’t have to leave my desk to grab a book off a shelf and flip through all sorts of pages to find what I was looking for. In fact, I didn’t even have to move my arms from the position they were in. My work flow was in no way interrupted. Thank you technology.

Of course, I could easily let technology turn me into someone who never leaves his desk and grows horribly out of shape and utterly useless when he’s anywhere other than in front of his computer. And that is what the naysayers will harp on. But I have an answer for that argument.

Technology CAN lead us to lazy undisciplined lives. What technology CAN’T do is control how we live. We make our choices. People who argue that technology is making us more distant and less connected are the same type of people who blame McDonald’s for our children being obese. I ate fast food and consumed obscene amounts of candy, twinkies, and Mt. Dew all throughout my childhood. I still do. I also played sports every day of my childhood and now that I no longer have organized teams to play on I work out at home every day. You might say, “Oh so you didn’t play a lot of video games, because that’s what the real problem is. Those dang video games.” No, I played video games then and I play even more now.

The point is while I choose to indulge in less than healthy eating habits I also counter balance that choice by working out.

Technology is the same. I can get all wrapped up in Twitter and Facebook without becoming completely disconnected from those around me. I can choose to focus on the people in the room with me. Then when I’m by myself I can use social networking sites to connect with people I don’t see as often in person.

Or I don’t have to do any of that. It’s my choice. I’m in control of the technology. Hopefully technology will help me stay in control of my son.