In today’s society, we want everything immediately. Now, at the snap of our fingers or the push of a button. Thanks to modern technology, our wants and needs are often promptly met. As a result, our lives seem to have become much easier and less stressful.

But at what cost?

My youngest daughter was recently complaining about not being able to find “anything” on the ancient city of Kish for her history report. I told her we could go to the library and find some books. She looked at me like I was nuts. “We don’t need books. Will you just help me find a good website?”

Have you experienced this yet? If not, you will soon.

Gone are the “olden days” when you actually had to go to the library, look in the card catalog, and deal with the dreaded Dewey Decimal System. Not to mention, photocopying or writing down notes from those boring, heavy, “reference only” encyclopedias that you weren’t allowed to check out.

Today, our kids have access to an infinite amount of information literally at their fingertips. They really don’t know how lucky they have it.

They’ll most likely never experience the conflict of having to choose between two favorite television shows airing at the same time. Or dropping off a roll of film and not being able to pick up the developed pictures for several days. Or worse, not being able to call a friend immediately because (a) there is no payphone, (b) they don’t have change for the payphone, or (c) their parents said they’re not stopping anywhere and they’ll just have to wait until they get home.

Luckily for them, our kids were born in a different era.

They can record multiple shows at once and watch them at their leisure, even skipping through the commercial breaks. Most kids have their own cellphones; therefore they can call or text their friends immediately. They also have the ability to take pictures and text, email, or SnapChat them to their friends instantly.

Our kids and society in general, seem to be on a technology overload. Many of us, myself included, don’t know how to function without our smart phones. However, there must be some type of limit. There’s nothing I dislike more than seeing my kids and their friends all on their phones instead of conversing with each other.

I’ve heard about those “tech-free” days where families spend the entire day without electronics. Supposedly, it allows the family to bond in new ways like playing board games, going bike riding, and just talking. I’m tempted to try it but I’ll admit, I’m a little scared. Can I survive a whole day with no t.v., no radio, no phone? I honestly don’t know. Can I survive a whole day dealing with two teenage girls who are whining about having no phone? Uh, I’m not so sure…

Although I’m not sure I could survive an entire day without technology, I did manage to survive my daughter’s history project with only a few minor eye rolls. Thanks to Google and the click of a few buttons, my child was able to complete her report without ever leaving the kitchen table. I’ll admit, I was just a little thankful for that, but don’t tell her – she may use it against me should I ever get the guts to enforce a “tech-free” day!

Has your family ever tried a “tech-free” day? If so, please share your survival tips.