The Tech Balancing Act
Living on the Central Coast as a mum? It’s pretty idyllic – beaches, fresh air, and a wonderful sense of community. And let’s not forget the lifestyle, with its laid-back vibe and beautiful surroundings that make it a perfect place for raising a family. But, as any mum knows, life as a parent comes with its own set of challenges, and in this digital age, technology has certainly added a new layer to the mix.
For some mums, life might look like it’s straight out of an Instagram post – kids in perfectly coordinated outfits, playdates in the park, and the perfect blend of work and family life. And you know what? That’s real too. Not every mum is struggling to keep it all together. There are plenty who manage to balance it all and make it look easy. It’s important to recognise that there are mums who are absolutely thriving – juggling school runs, careers, family commitments, and the occasional coffee with friends without breaking a sweat. But even for those who seem to have it together, the role technology plays in our lives is something we need to be mindful of.
The thing with technology is that it’s here to stay, and it’s not going anywhere anytime soon. Smartphones, tablets, and social media are all part of the fabric of modern life – and as mums, we’ve had to adapt. For many of us, it’s all about finding that balance. It’s not about rejecting technology altogether, but using it in a way that works for our families.
For some mums, that might mean setting up screen time limits for their kids, encouraging outdoor play, or maybe even engaging with technology in a more creative way – like learning new skills together or watching educational videos. Not every child is glued to a screen for hours on end, and many parents have a great routine in place where tech is just one small part of the day. You might even find that the kids are outside building sandcastles or going for bike rides more often than you think.
But, of course, there’s always the flip side. For others, the temptation of handing over a tablet to get a few moments of peace might be a daily habit. And that’s okay too. We’re not all striving for the same ideal of parenthood, and there’s no single “right” way to do things. Sometimes, technology can be a godsend, offering a moment of calm when you’re in the midst of trying to get dinner on the table or managing your own work-from-home demands. We’re all just doing the best we can.
That said, technology has brought a whole new level of complexity to parenting, especially when it comes to all the conflicting advice available at our fingertips. It’s like every few scrolls, there’s a new “method” or “expert” telling you that what you’re doing isn’t enough or that there’s a better way. One expert will tell you to let your baby cry it out, while another insists on gentle parenting and never letting your little one feel abandoned. Then, there are the countless sleep training methods, discipline techniques, and feeding schedules that flood your feeds and leave you questioning if you’re even doing this whole parenting thing right.
As a psychotherapist, I hear it all the time – mums feeling overwhelmed, confused, and unsure of which advice to follow. The pressure to make the "right" choices can be paralysing. It feels like there’s no room to just be a mum, because we’re constantly worried about making a mistake. The truth is, parenting has never been a one-size-fits-all approach, and yet that’s what the internet sometimes makes it seem like. We all have different kids, different lives, and different ways of doing things. The best advice I can offer is simple: trust your instincts and give yourself the grace to adapt as you go.
Social media doesn’t help either. It’s so easy to compare your life to someone else’s curated feed. It’s hard to not look at the picture-perfect lives online and feel like you’re falling short. But the truth is, those accounts are often highly edited versions of reality. They’re not the full picture. Some days, your house will be a mess, your kids will be on screens longer than you’d like, and you’ll have to put yourself last. That’s normal. Perfection isn’t real, and it’s okay to embrace the chaos.
At the end of the day, being a mum on the Central Coast is a beautiful thing. Technology is simply another tool in our arsenal – whether we choose to use it for learning, connection, or a bit of well-deserved downtime. The most important thing is to find what works for you and your family, without getting bogged down by all the noise online. So, here’s to all the mums out there – thriving, struggling, or somewhere in between. You’re doing great, and we’re all in this together!
