How true this is! In the evenings you can usually find the Claybaugh Family sitting in our living room. Generally, I'm on my phone perusing Facebook. Joe can be found in his recliner with the dog on his lap, one ear-bud in his ear, and his Kindle cleverly propped up on his side table showing the latest Sci-Fi series. Tyler and Ian are engrossed in a new game on their tablets. Then there is our multi-tasker, Avery. She is on her tablet and her I-pod and is watching TV simultaneously. Is this what quality family time looks like in today's world?
Is this the kind of mom I want to be? Is this the example I want to set for my children? Is this the legacy I want to leave behind? I find, too, that I allow Facebook and my "friends" to affect my mood. Their struggles, triumphs, stupidity or sometimes just daily life can be all-consuming at times. Then there are my posts. "Was this picture not cute enough to render more likes?" "Was my last post not deserving?" "What is wrong with you people?!?!" That last one took a lot of thought, darn it!
Let's face it; we all categorize our "friends" into groups. I have come up with my top 20.
1) THE MOTIVATOR This person constantly challenges you to want to be a better human being. Her posts are mostly positive and uplifting.
2) THE IDIOT This person is a real life train wreck! You really want to delete them, but you also can't wait to see what nonsense they post next.
3) THE COMEDIAN This person wants to make everyone laugh and forget their worries.
4) THE OBNOXIOUS MOM Yes, you have the cutest baby ever. Yes, all your views on social issues are correct. Yes, your kids are perfect and praiseworthy. Satisfied???
5) THE COMPLAINER The person with multiple personalities, usually. The very second someone or something ticks them off, they turn to social media to rant and complain. This person generally could give a rat's behind what you think of them.
6) THE REPORTER This person really doesn't have a mind of their own, but DANG IT, if they see a good recipe, or a cute video of a cat, or a quote, they are all over that share button like flies on manure. (Excuse me while the farm-girl in me comes out).
7) THE POLITICIAN I. CAN'T. STAND. YOU. Enough said!
8) THE BUSINESS PERSON NO! I don't want to buy any of your highly fragrant necklaces that wrap my body in wax so that I can have better hair and nails. Sorry!!
9) THE RELIGIOUS FREAK This person makes Billy Graham look complacent. They love GOD and you need to know it.
10) THE VOYEUR You may rarely post, but I know you're out there watching me!!!!
11) THE FEMINIST Curse words, sex, and women's bodies are all they seem to post about. Yeah, I get it. You are woman! I hear you roar!
12) THE FAMILY MEMBER Whether by blood or by marriage, you're stuck!
13) THE PHOTO SHARER This person wants you to visually understand every aspect of his life. LOOK! I can take a picture! And, LOOK! Now I'm going to add some effects.
14) THE ROMANTIC You love your partner. I mean REALLY love her!!!! She is the light of your world. He makes your heart flutter. She makes your life worth living. You complete each other. WE. GET. IT!!!
15) THE CHECK-ER-IN-ER Yes, I need to know where you ate breakfast, lunch and dinner. My life isn't complete until I know where you shopped, what movie you saw and when you tucked yourself into bed at night. Thank you for that!
16) THE INTELLECTUAL This person generally wants to inform you that you will never measure up to his wit, charm and brain power. He does so by making posts with hidden messages, large words, and just plain big talk smartassery.
17) THE STATER-OF-THE-OBVIOUS Your team did win. It is snowing. It is Friday. What would I do without your sublime wisdom?
18) THE VAGUE STATUS ATTENTION SEEKER This person will post a status that makes you wonder what is going on in their life. Oh, they don't have any intention of telling you, at least not yet, but keep guessing and wondering. It's sooooo fun!! After all, any attention is good attention, right?
19) THE LIKER You post it, they like it. Wow!! That was fast!! I just posted that. Thank you my friend.
20) THE NORMAL PERSON I don't have many of these "friends". I do hear that they are out there. Maybe I need some more friend requests.
Most of us fall into several of these categories. I myself am a self proclaimed obnoxious-photo-sharing-motivational-comedian-mom.
So where was I? Oh, why then did this cause me to step away from Facebook for a bit? It's not fair to my family that I allow my "friends" to affect the kind of wife and mother I am. It's not right that I let a person's grammar, (Yes, I'm a self-admitted grammar Nazi. I'm talking simple elementary grammar: their, you're, see/saw, too-but that's another blog all of it's own. I digress.) relationship status, misfortune, or idiocy shouldn't change the person I am. After all, how many of these "friends" are genuinely friends? Now, don't get me wrong; I enjoy Facebook and most of my friends, but I shouldn't allow them to influence me so much. I choose to be happy. I choose to love my husband and kids with my whole heart. I choose to accept my struggles and misfortunes, but not burden others with them. I choose to be a person who shows her faith. I choose to make a difference.
For let it not be written in my obituary that I am survived by Facebook.
