{ unplug } How I Have Managed to Disconnect for the Holidays

{ by } Jeanne Rose

{ source } Yahoo! Voices, 2011.12.18

I start cutting my Internet time down by 2 hours each day, so that once the holidays begin, and I am going here and there to visit family, I have mastered finding other things to do besides sit in front of a computer screen.

Christmas is quickly approaching, which means many people will be leaving their homes to go on trips to see family and friends. One of the many challenges that come with the holidays is learning to disconnect from the online lives we have created, especially with the addition of smartphones. The increase in technology really has made it difficult to spend time with family, and relax. I have had a lot of trouble with disconnecting from the Internet through the holidays, but here are a few tips I can share from my experiences, about how to connect more with your family, and connect less with technology.

{ unplug } Disconnect to Reconnect This Holiday

{ by } Angela Woods

{ source } Yahoo! Voices, 2011.12.19

I've learned to make use of away messages. Away messages can politely let people know you're disconnecting for the holidays.

The way to reconnect is to disconnect. It sounds like a paradox, but wisdom often does. We all know, however, that sometimes the technology designed to keep us connected is exactly what caused us to be so disconnected in the first place. Smart phones might be intelligent, but they lack wisdom. They don't know that if you want to give the gift of your presence you have to unplug occasionally. I've missed several holidays (in spirit) because I was too busy responding to texts and Facebook messages or answering phone calls to notice my own absence. I know I'm not alone in that. So I've devised some ways to reclaim family time.

I've learned to make use of away messages { see footnote }. Away messages can politely let people know you're disconnecting for the holidays. Use automated email responses, Christmas Eve status updates or pre-holiday texts to say you're going unplugged for a while. You can send a message that gets right to the point, letting people know that you'll get back to them later. Or you can aim to amuse.

{ unplug } 5 Ways to Unplug Your Holidays

{ by } Caroline Knorr
{ source } Common Sense Media, 2011.12.10

An outright ban on digital devices won't win your kids' respect -- or compliance. But with a little planning, you can balance your family's tech activities with much-needed face time. 

Family time doesn't have to be spent in front of a screen -- here are 5 ways to take a breather from media over the holidays.

Is this the most wired holiday ever? There are apps for organizing your holiday events, online wish list-creators for kids, sites that will send your kids an email from Santa -- and lots of new electronic devices geared for kids. And between texting, video games, and social networking, you might find it hard to get a word in edgewise with your kids.

As much as we all love and depend on our high-tech toys, our reliance on them -- let's face it -- can get in the way of the warm and cozy family time we so carefully scheduled (probably on our electronic calendar!).
An outright ban on digital devices won't win your kids' respect -- or compliance.