Honor Moms Everywhere with MetLife's #SocialBlackout

I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for MetLife. I received a promotional item as a thank you for participating.

After confirming that one her best friends is coming over for a playdate soon, Little Sister B has been near-giddy with anticipation.

What are you two going to do together while she's here? I asked, assuming that the answer would include Barbie dolls or jumping on the trampoline or dressing up in all sorts of crazy costumes.

After a second to pause, my 4-year-old's face lit up as she happily proclaimed, We can play ON THE IPAD TOGETHER!

Um... what? When in the world did having a friend over switch from running around outside or laughing and giggling as you painted each other's fingernails to a time when you'd sit and play digital games?

While I'd like to blame my kids' obsession with pretty much all technical gadgets on the fact that they are so prominently a part of our society these days... I can't help but realize that a great deal of the responsibility falls squarely on my own shoulders.

After all, as they see me typing away on my keyboard at all hours of the day or quickly sending an email from my phone when the need arises, I know that it is only so long before they're going to be a part of the social media world as well. Do schools even teach cursive writing anymore? Would that time be better spent teaching kids how to type or text?

As the act of being unplugged from social media gets more and more difficult, the importance of designating time to be "disconnected" to focus on our loved ones increases as well.

Entire families need to do more than simply put the phone down during dinner and then quickly pick it up as soon as plates are cleared, or halfway listen to each other talk about their day (while keeping one eye on the computer screen). Facebook can wait! Twitter will still be there later on! You truly don't have to Instagram every second of the day!

Which is why this weekend, in honor of Mother's Day, is the perfect time to participate in MetLife's #SocialBlackout movement, which challenges everyone to log off of social media on May 12th and give Mom the time and attention she deserves.

That's right, rather than sharing photos on Instagram and updating status after status on Facebook, on May 12th MetLife wants everyone to log off from social media and spend quality time with Mom. No glassy-eyed stare or absentminded nodding, this is all about focusing on being here, being present, and being a part of the real life world going on right in front of you.

Whether you're having family over for brunch, spending the morning at church or will be making Mom breakfast in bed, participating in the #SocialBlackout just may be the easiest event you've ever attended: just don't show up.

Want to help spread the Mother's Day movement? Here's how:

1. Join the #SocialBlackout event page.
2. Invite your friends to join.
3. Optional: Set your profile pics to the official #SocialBlackout image (shown above) and update your statuses with a warm Mother's Day wish.
4. Log off social media on Mother's Day and turn your attention to your mom instead of your friends and feeds.

Yes, it's really that simple.

Whether it is a rare or common occurrence that you have a hard time communicating with your kids, family or friends because they are always playing on their phone, computer or tablet, this Mother's Day make the effort to honor moms everywhere by unplugging from the virtual world and focusing on those around you.

Visit the MetLife Facebook page for more information about their #SocialBlackout and then enjoy your day with your family!