Whose App is it Anyway??

Dear Kids Boys,

While I realize that this is a problem of my own making, it does not in any way diminish my annoyance that I turn on my iPad only to discover that I cannot find anything. No, not because I do not know how to operate the darn thing. No. It is because someone has once again “reorganized” my apps. Now Jacob — I realize that you truly believe that you are helping me. Though why you seem to think that spreading the apps over nine different screens in files that are all named “Games” is going to help is beyond my understanding. Also, do you really think that I need “Mickey’s Road Rally” and “Toy Story” apps to appear on the bottom of each screen? And Ben, have you any idea how frustrating it is to open my video file on a cross-country flight only to discover that my movies have been deleted in order to make room for yours and Koby’s? I cannot imagine the circumstances under which I would voluntarily watch “Alvin and the Chipmunks,” “Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakual,” “Cars,” or “The Incredibles.”

I am sure that the best way to rectify this situation is to simply forbid you from using the iPad. And there are some (relatives of yours) who argue that I ought to have prohibited you from the very beginning. But the reality is that all too often it is to my advantage to hand you the darn thing in order to get some peace and quiet.

Eek. Did I really just say that? That I turn to electronic devices in order to keep some semblance of order in our house…car…wherever? What comes next? Using the television as a babysitter? Oh, right. I do that too. Fortunately each one of you is able to occupy yourselves “offline” as it were, for varying amounts of time. And as Daddy and I have frequently commented in the nearly eleven months since we moved here to the corn fields, you guys have spent more time playing outside here than you ever did back in California. Voluntarily. Something for which we take absolutely no credit other than finding a home with a beckoning backyard.

So what’s the solution? It feels arbitrary to place a time limit on the amount of time you spend on MY iPad. Especially since that won’t take into account real life. I can’t possibly anticipate each and every occasion when it will be to my advantage to hand it over. And since one of you regards exceptions to rules as establishing new precedant, I’ll just end up having to toss the rules out the window in order to avoid further conflict.

And having a device without the apps, videos, songs that you enjoy defeats the whole darn thing.

Perhaps, then, the resolution lies not in changing the rules but in changing my attitude. Since I’m the one who has allowed this AND I’m the one who seems to benefit most from permitting you (relative) carte blance with the iPad, this is more about me and less about you. And to resent you for what I’ve allowed is misplaced.

So carry on, my tech-savvy children. Reaarange. Download. Upload. Add. Delete. Just remember that I will be able to keep an eye on everything you are doing since (a) it’s my iPad and (b) you don’t know any of my passwords.

Best,
Your Mother

Tagged as: apps, iPad, parenting, technology