As long-time readers would know, I've had a long-time love/hate relationship with social media, Facebook in particular. While I absolutely love being able to keep in regular touch with friends and family on the site, there are definitely some times where I want nothing to do with it. Mother's Day is one of the days where I try to stray as far away from Facebook as possible. Is it just me or does it seem like, on Mother's Day, most of the Facebook world is attempting to suggest they're the best kid in the world?
- "Look what I did for my mom? I put on these gloves and make it look like I'm going to do some yard-work, but really, I'm about to lift some dumbbells while watching America's Most Wanted. I'm the best kid in the world!"
- "I put forth the hard work to take a picture of this great meal my mom cooked, but will refrain from giving her credit, in order to make others think I was the one who did it. So I'm the best kid!"
- "Look how happy my mom and I are in this selfie I took?!? We both smiled for at least one Mississippi, before we started arguing about politics again. So, apparently, I'm the best kid!"
My all-time favorite such posts (or least favorite depending on how you look at it) are the ones that say, "My mom doesn't have Facebook, but I wanted to tell her Happy Mother's Day anyway!"
I know what the intent is of such a message. These individuals want to give off the impression they're good, loving children. But what does the message actually indicate? Simply that acceptance from Facebook friends and the potential illusion of a close friendship with family is of greater importance than actually having a close relationship with said family. When one thinks about it, of what point is there to tell someone Happy Mother's Day on Facebook when she doesn't have Facebook? How will she get the message? Will the author of the post call his/her mother in order to say, "I know you don't have an account, but I wished you a Happy Mother's Day on Facebook"? Wouldn't it be easier to just call and tell the person over the phone, or in person if she's within driving distance? While we're at it, we might as well say/do the following:
- "My mom doesn't have a phone, but I'm going to call her to wish her a Happy Mother's Day anyway!"
- "My mom doesn't have a computer and still isn't sure what a smart-phone is, but I think I'm going to call her landline and ask if she wants to Skype, you know, for Mother's Day."
- "I've got a great idea! For Mother's Day, I'm going to make reservations at my mom's favorite restaurant! So even though she's without a license, or a car, and is blind, I'm going to ask her to drive up to meet me there!"
As for me, I actually told my mom Happy Mother's Day in person, spent time with her, and didn't feel the need to garner acceptance from the Facebook world about it, because I'm crazy like that or something...
- "Look what I did for my mom? I put on these gloves and make it look like I'm going to do some yard-work, but really, I'm about to lift some dumbbells while watching America's Most Wanted. I'm the best kid in the world!"
- "I put forth the hard work to take a picture of this great meal my mom cooked, but will refrain from giving her credit, in order to make others think I was the one who did it. So I'm the best kid!"
- "Look how happy my mom and I are in this selfie I took?!? We both smiled for at least one Mississippi, before we started arguing about politics again. So, apparently, I'm the best kid!"
My all-time favorite such posts (or least favorite depending on how you look at it) are the ones that say, "My mom doesn't have Facebook, but I wanted to tell her Happy Mother's Day anyway!"
I know what the intent is of such a message. These individuals want to give off the impression they're good, loving children. But what does the message actually indicate? Simply that acceptance from Facebook friends and the potential illusion of a close friendship with family is of greater importance than actually having a close relationship with said family. When one thinks about it, of what point is there to tell someone Happy Mother's Day on Facebook when she doesn't have Facebook? How will she get the message? Will the author of the post call his/her mother in order to say, "I know you don't have an account, but I wished you a Happy Mother's Day on Facebook"? Wouldn't it be easier to just call and tell the person over the phone, or in person if she's within driving distance? While we're at it, we might as well say/do the following:
- "My mom doesn't have a phone, but I'm going to call her to wish her a Happy Mother's Day anyway!"
- "My mom doesn't have a computer and still isn't sure what a smart-phone is, but I think I'm going to call her landline and ask if she wants to Skype, you know, for Mother's Day."
- "I've got a great idea! For Mother's Day, I'm going to make reservations at my mom's favorite restaurant! So even though she's without a license, or a car, and is blind, I'm going to ask her to drive up to meet me there!"
As for me, I actually told my mom Happy Mother's Day in person, spent time with her, and didn't feel the need to garner acceptance from the Facebook world about it, because I'm crazy like that or something...
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