A Disservice?

So, since Scott and I aren't exactly caught up with all the latest technology, does that mean we'll be doing our kids a disservice as they get older? It's not that we're opposed or afraid of all the latest advances; we're just not interested.

I asked myself this question the other day after my dad showed me his latest techie gadget: the Nook Color 2 (think that's what it's called). I've been thinking about e-readers, and whether or not that would be something I should save for. This isn't an easy decision, especially since I love the feel of an actual book. Still, if I were to enjoy the technological advances of today, that might be one that I'd actually use. Then Daddy showed me his Nook. Very cool. Very. Shocking as this might sound (especially to my friends who know how prehistoric I am), I could actually see myself using something like that. Even more, I could see my kids using it (supervised, of course).

One of the Nook's features is the read aloud feature for children's stories. Very cool (please excuse the overuse of this phrase. I'm sure it'll reappear several more times before I'm done writing.). Leah was enthralled. What little one wouldn't be, especially when it's a book on the computer (basically)? Plus, Leah could "flip" the pages. Seriously?! She's 2.5! (I know, this was rather eye-opening for me to observe since she doesn't get to "play" with technology that much, unlike other kids her age who are rather adept at using their parents' iPhones, etc.) Which begs the question posed above: am I doing them a disservice by not consuming all these advances?

I'd like to think not, especially since I'm not OPPOSED to said technology. We just don't have a need for it. Plus, we do allow Leah on the computer (we even have a kid-sized keyboard & mouse for when she's older) to play games. Right now, though, it boils down to whether or not she has to learn these devices now. Really, what's the hurry or need? By the time she can truly use many of them, the current technology will be obsolete. (Makes me think about how quickly the school computers (and floppy drives) became dated once jump drives burst on the scene.) Plus, like many kids, she's a fast learner, so when it comes time, she'll be ready to learn (and perhaps fully appreciate) the available technology.

Besides, she doesn't need anything too fancy right now anyway; after all, Christmas is coming, and I know that at least one gift will be more than enough technology for her.