Confessions of a Control-freak Mom

I admit it, I’ve always been a control freak. Nothing gives me more pleasure than knowing I’ve managed my business and personal life quickly and efficiently. I’ve never been very good at delegating – I want to do it all and make sure it’s done right.

As some of you know, I had the ADT Pulse system installed a few months ago and let me tell you, I’ve never had so much fun managing my family’s life! I’ve been travelling a great deal lately and, being the control freak that I am, have left two page lists for the baby sitter and my fiancée detailing which kid needs to be dropped off where, what needs to get done in the morning and menu plans for the week. But even leaving all of these explicit instructions I love having the control to check in and manage things.
 

Take, for example, the two newest ways I’m using my system. There have been several days where the school bus, for whatever reason, is running late. But the other day it was over a half-hour late. I called the school and learned that it had broken down and they had the kids sitting on it waiting for another bus to pick them up. That made me furious! If they had called the parents of the kids who were on that bus I’m sure many of them, including myself, would have gone to pick our kids up rather than having them get home an hour late. Now, I have my phone set so that I get a text if my front door doesn’t open by 2:50 (which is five minutes past the time my daughter should be getting off the bus and coming in the house). If I get a text I can now call the school and find out what’s going on.

And, while I completely trust that my babysitter is doing what I ask of him, I still question how much TV my kids are actually watching while I’m gone. So, I set up my system so that I receive an alert when the TV is turned on between 4:00 and 5:30 P.M., the time they’re supposed to be doing their homework or playing outside and not watching T.V. And yes, I have busted them a few times!

But, when I’m travelling, the thing I love doing most is pulling up the wireless camera on my computer and watching them in the playroom. Sometimes I call so that they know I’m watching them and they do silly little things for me to see. But other times, I just love watching them. Being away from them kills me but, as a working mom, I don’t have a choice. This is almost the equivalent of giving them a kiss when they’re asleep in bed. I know they’re safe and happy and it makes my trip a little easier.

So whether it’s for managing my life or getting some peace of mind when I’m away, the ADT Pulse system has become this control freak’s best friend.

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