Can Mom work all the electronics in the house?
I am always exasperated with my own parents for not being able to work the TV at our house. They have the same Comcast cable with a slightly different remote and they act like they’re splitting atoms to turn our TV off and on. (Don’t even get me started with turning on our cordless phone.)
However, I will have to admit that this summer while staying at a vacation rental house I had to repeatedly call Rose to turn on the TV, work the Netflix and even adjust the volume on the TV.
In my defense, there were 8 remotes total in the house and only three had any real effect on anything. Plus the owner had the sound hooked up through giant speakers but I don’t think the speakers worked with the Netflix so you had to turn off the speaker and turn back on the TV sound. It was very confusing, and I often would just go the bedroom to watch because it only had one remote that I could comprehend.
Earlier this spring, the new comedy “Modern Family” had a whole story line about the dumb daughter being able to learn to use the family’s complicated remote before the smart mother, who is apparently just bad with electronics. The remote on the show was the size of a laptap computer.
So are moms not being able to work the remotes and electronics stereotypical or true? Is it a mom thing? Is this a getting older thing? Or is it just that our vacation house had a ridiculously complicated electronic set up?
Can you honestly work all the TV/cable/Netflix/video game/stereo systems that are set up at your house? Do you need the kids’ help? Can they always fix it?
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82 comments Add your comment
FCM
July 30th, 2010
1:53 pm
@ HB and I can certainly see that…but my point is that the topic should be to generate response not ad views. I can certainly see that revenue generation and the business model is important. However, TWGs response leads one to believe we get the Tabloid Fodder because people are “into’ the topics while reality is they get a one shot deal for those as the bloggers aren’t “into them” (and likely the clix is from a someone outside this blog target and thus not getting into the ads anyway).
I just think there should be a different way to do it. I also think that claiming this is what we respond to when the “regulars” don’t want those topics is wrong.
newblogger
July 30th, 2010
2:10 pm
Good grief! A lot of unhappy people on here today. @Photius-Believe me I do care about those things, I’m a military mom. But for that very reason and the fact that every time I turn on the news, it’s 90% bad, I like to come here and be “devoid of reality” for awhile. Seriously, if you don’t like it, please feel free to not come back. I’m sure no one is making you do it. If I find a topic that I’m not especially interested in I just skim through the comments and go along my day. Why the bashing? Anyway, ironically I want to say thanks to all the bloggers for making my summer more interesting. Checking momania every morning has become part of my routine. However, I have to go back to the real world on Monday and prepare my classroom for another year of 5th graders and my mornings are crazy so I won’t get to catch up on the blog until the evenings. TWG, please keep up the good work-no matter what the haters have to say. Some of us enjoy the ride!
Theresa Walsh Giarrusso
July 30th, 2010
2:13 pm
Hey FCM — I express opinions about motherhood every day but not about politics – not my beat. Also if I ever wanted to work for a different part of the paper or a different publication you cannot have out there your political views. We tell our kids not to talk about what we say at home. With MG it is very very serious.
HB
July 30th, 2010
2:18 pm
Don’t get me wrong, FCM, I agree that there should be a better way, and frankly am horrified that Jon & Kate generate interest with anyone. I actually see this a lot in my work with museums. It is increasingly difficult for organizations with a substansive mission — good newspapers, museums, zoos — to compete with mindless pop culture, and sadly most of them have chosen to incorporate lesser elements — tabloid reporting, “science” exhibits based on movies — to draw people in. I think there’s a way to bring some pop culture and fluff fun into these places, but many go too far and dilute their overall content. I’m really impressed with WashingtonPost.com. It has lots of dynamic content and mixes excellent reporting and commentary with some fun fluff entertainment thrown in here and there that very rarely crosses the line into drivel.
JJ
July 30th, 2010
3:24 pm
MJG I have had the same washer & dryer (from Sears) for almost 20 years. Bottom of the line, basic models, nothing fancy. I’m really surprised they have lasted this long.
I just put in new flooring all throughout the house, so I don’t really want to spend the $$ on a new dryer if I don’t have to. Right now we are using the neighbor’s.
motherjanegoose
July 30th, 2010
3:31 pm
@ newblogger….LOL at your comment:.
I have to go back to the real world on Monday and prepare my classroom for another year of 5th graders
Do you mean MY real world? Or is the real world only in the classroom and then 5th grade?
I am just teasing with you.
I feel like I am in the real world most days I work and I never work with 5th graders. Glad you have the finesse as I could not do it. i respect anyone who works with kids on the verge of hormones. Give me the Kindergarteners!
HB, I ran some thoughts ( we discussed today) by my husband. He suggested that you do not need to know how to put out a fire, if you are a surgeon. There is expertise in all areas that some cannot attain. Most of us simply cannot excel in everything and while I excel in my line of work…technology is not a critical part of it. He reminded me of the teachers I meet that do not even own a computer or have their own e-mail…it is hard to believe but true. If it is purposeful to learn how to do something, by all means I should learn it. Hence texting.
My own mother was a great cook but she never ever fried chicken and was amazed that I knew how to do it. She grew up in the north and this was not something she needed to know how to do. She did not even know how to grill a steak, as she never learned how to use the grill. She DID know how to make any kind of Jello mold, cake or casserole….:0
motherjanegoose
July 30th, 2010
3:37 pm
@ JJ…Sears here too. We bought a 3 year old Maytag set off of Craiglist for $350 from someone who was moving to Florida and already had a set in their new condo. They needed to move the next day and wanted it out NOW! They had the receipt and showed me that they both worked, as they were still hooked up. I was excited!
You might check, here’s your brand:
http://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/app/1862854016.html
We put in solid hardwood last summer too and the dryer was not an expected expense…such is life!
DB
July 30th, 2010
3:41 pm
I took my son’s sick Blackberry apart last month and replaced the keyboard, the keyboard mat, the case, the trackball — it was fun, and basically, when we did a download of the latest operating system, he now has a shiny new black Blackberry that works great! It was out of warranty, so I figured — what the heck, if I screw it up, we’ll get another one. He couldn’t text, and the case was a really banged up grey one.
HB
July 30th, 2010
3:43 pm
Impressive, DB!
irisheyes
July 30th, 2010
3:43 pm
I’m the one who does the tech stuff at our house. That being said, our tech stuff is not very “high tech”. No surround sound, no flat screen, just a DVD player and VCR. (Thankfully the U-verse guys set up everything else when we moved.) We don’t have a GPS (my phone does that). So, who knows, maybe I would be just as befuddled! I’ve actually had more problem putting together a high chair than connecting the wii. The directions for the high chair were just pictures with no text. Unbelieveably confusing!
FCM
July 30th, 2010
4:05 pm
TWG–I am with MG on the hush the telling with the kids….mine are told same. I even can understand why YOU wouldn’t do politics on the blog…I think there is a way–and you have done it–to do some issues, and I too would like to see more, without the politico.
However, I stand by what I said. The point of a blog is to share opinion.
FCM
July 30th, 2010
4:07 pm
Got my Whirlpool Washer used–3 years old at that time–from people moving out of the APT above me back when I was pregnant the first time so it is what 14 years old! If stating that causes the cosmos to kill it this weekend I am $crewed! We’ll be in dirty clothes coz I cannot get a new one!
HB
July 30th, 2010
4:11 pm
Wow, MJG. I totally disagree with your husband and think everyone should know how to put out a fire! I don’t think a surgeon needs to know how to drive the truck, raise the ladder, or open the hydrant, but everyone should know how to use an extinguisher and the basic principles behind putting a fire out (cut off its oxygen with water if not a grease fire, sand, etc).
You really don’t seem to understand what I’m saying. I never said all people should be experts in all things, but rather that everyone should aim for good basic knowledge of things they use regularly. And I really don’t understand your philosophy of saving brain cells since everything I’ve read suggests learning new things and picking up new interests throughout life keeps the mind sharp.
not impressed
July 30th, 2010
4:24 pm
10,000 hits means nothing. You dont know the reason behind the hit? In the 70’s Braves games on TBS collected record ratings despite the Braves being horrible. Obviously people would “pop” in just to see how bad it was going. Just sayin……
FCM
July 30th, 2010
5:13 pm
HB you been to my house? I set the Toaster Oven on fire at least once a week. Just got a new one–the crumb tray is INSIDE. The last fire almost burnt me, the cabinet and the kitchen. Everytime I went to open the door the Oxygen got the fire started again. Most people would probably panic. I just grabbed the milk out of the fridge and dropped it on the flames.
Public Service Announcement: Milk can be used to put out greasefires. Baking Soda is perferred. Fire Extinguishers are better. Absolute best option: don’t start the dang fire!
HB
July 30th, 2010
5:30 pm
Good job, FCM! If you had waited around on experts the whole kitchen might have gone up in flames! The only fire I’ve had to put out was in a fireplace. In my first apartment there was a weird air pressure thing going on and smoke wouldn’t go up the chimney unless a window was cracked open just a bit. So the first time I tried to use it I didn’t know about that and the whole place quickly filled up with smoke! Sure was glad to know how to use my extinguisher that evening!
motherjanegoose
July 30th, 2010
5:44 pm
HB, it is a good thing we do not work together as we do not communicate well.
It will be a snowy day in August when we are ever on the same page :)
The point my husband was making to me and what I tried to share is exactly what you said :
(a surgeon does not) need to know how to drive the truck, raise the ladder, or open the hydrant
just douse a small fire. I do not need to know all the details of techno things I do not use. Nor even plan to.
I would say that maybe it is me who cannot communicate well but since I do it for a living, I think it is just that we seem to never get each other’s points here on the blog.
I will just accept it and move along.
I guess I just have to be able to communicate well with those who pay me and live with me.
I have also managed to do so ( in person) with others on this blog.
@ DB, my husband is in your camp. If it is already broken, let’s dig into it….we cannot use it anyway. He can fix most anything!
FCM…I have a giant bag of baking soda in my kitchen…thanks for reminding everyone.
HB
July 30th, 2010
6:07 pm
Well, I happen to work in communications too, so I honestly don’t know how you can interpret “if you are using something regularly, you should know the basics of how to use it and some basic troubleshooting” as my suggesting that you “need to know all the details of techno things I do not use”. Do you really not see the difference in those statements? I’ve tried using the words “basic,” “working knowledge,” “a little knowledge,” and you keep telling me why people don’t need to be experts at everything as if I suggested they do. I really don’t know how I could be any clearer. Please point out where today where I suggested people should aim for detailed, expert knowledge of things they don’t use.
deidre_NC
July 30th, 2010
7:22 pm
i was a tad snarky this morning because i am sick and felt like crap….and i am tired of seeing theresa getting bombed by people who dont like her blog topics. i read other blogs and message boards and it amazes me that people seem to visit them just to be mean and nasty to the blooger or the posters. if one doesnt like the topic just skip it for the day. and yes we all (i hope) know that young men and women are getting killed and hurt every day in this godforsaken war we are having. i personally know about 15 young men and women who are right now in afghanistan and i pray for them daily. that has nothing to do with this blog. maybe it would be a good topic ‘how would you feel if your child enlisted?’ then it would be appropriate to post about.
i hate electronics. i do not know how to do more than put a dvd in the player and if the remote isnt on the right setting then i just dont watch it. i know how to do a lot of things i dare say many on this blog dont know how to do…thats because i have to and i want to. i couldnt care less about knowing how to program the stupid tv or ipod or any of that stuff. if i cared im sure i would learn.
sorry for the ;snarliness’ i just would like to see people be nice and stop dissing theresa every day. its really childish. and boring.
deidre_NC
July 30th, 2010
7:23 pm
excuse the typos
HB
July 30th, 2010
7:33 pm
Hope you feel better soon, deidre_NC!
deidre_NC
July 30th, 2010
7:44 pm
ty HB….just for the record..i used to always be the one to hook everything up. i have been a single mom most of my kids lives…so i had to. then as the kids got older i figured they needed to know how so they took it all over. and i am glad…its a lot more complicated now and i never watch tv..in fact at this time i dont even have tv service…one day i realized the tv hadnt been on for 2 weeks and i had it turned off. we use our laptops for everything. i have 2 degrees in computer technology and information systems and am working on a ba in human services and criminal justice, so im not a dummy :)…i just dont care to know all that stuff. when the grandkids come they know how to use everything, so i dont need to know any of it!! i hate tv…i hate listening to all the needless noise. i have so many other things to do with work and school and my addiction to reading, i dont have time for tv. i watch movies via netflix or online. i have in my life learned how to dig a water line and hook up a gravity water system to my house, i can shoe a horse and ride barrels. i can clear a trail from the back of a horse with a machete (without chopping the horses head off :) …i can grow a garden and can enough veggies to last all year and raise beef and chickens etc…..i just dont care about how to work a bunch of remotes so i can listen to mindless bs on tv. those are my choices. geeze i need to get off here…i must be having a bad day lol..sorry :)
deidre_NC
July 30th, 2010
7:46 pm
and what ever happened to jesses girl…i miss her input!
HB
July 30th, 2010
8:10 pm
I’m sure you’re very smart. As I said, I think everyone should have a basic knowledge of what they use regularly. Absolutely nothing wrong with choosing not to watch TV because you just don’t want to! You use computers and obviously know how to set them up and troubleshoot. :)
deidre_NC
July 30th, 2010
8:20 pm
you know whats funny? i have these computer degrees…and i have trouble shot my problems…called tech support and had to do the very same things again with support on the phone…so now i just call them and do it while im on with them. no need to do it all twice!
deidre_NC
July 30th, 2010
8:21 pm
i meant to say…trouble shot and figured out what was wrong….called tech support to order parts and then had to go thru the whole trouble shooting again while they are on the phone…grrr
Bea
July 30th, 2010
8:55 pm
It’s pretty easy to see who is communicating better if you look at the comments together. You decide.
goose at 3:31
“HB, I ran some thoughts ( we discussed today) by my husband. He suggested that you do not need to know how to put out a fire, if you are a surgeon.”
HB at 4:11
“Wow, MJG. I totally disagree with your husband and think everyone should know how to put out a fire! I don’t think a surgeon needs to know how to drive the truck, raise the ladder, or open the hydrant, but everyone should know how to use an extinguisher and the basic principles behind putting a fire out”
goose at 5:44
“The point my husband was making to me and what I tried to share is exactly what you said :
(a surgeon does not) need to know how to drive the truck, raise the ladder, or open the hydrant
just douse a small fire.”
motherjanegoose
July 30th, 2010
10:08 pm
@ bea, not sure if that was a slap at me but that is fine. I may be too stupid to figure out what you are trying to say.
I have my own business and while I may not be able to communicate my ideas with those on the blog, I have to be able to communicate well all the time when I work with my clients.. Otherwise, they will not hire me. I am basically unemployed every day I wake up until someone takes a look at what I can do and decides to hire me. I have been doing it for 12 years, all by myself. Maybe I have lost my touch?
I am not a techno person, this is not my strength. I have other strengths and my clients, family, neighbors and even some on this blog know what they are.
catlady, T sent me your e-mail about meeting for lunch/dinner and I sent an e-mail to you. Did you get it?
KA
July 31st, 2010
7:35 am
First, I found the original blog article humorous. It made my laugh. I don’t think each topic needs to be serious. Second, she was talking about the difficulties being on vacation with 8 strange remotes. I am a Mom who also happens to know how to operate most technology at home; however, I have been in a similar situation on vacation where there were 3 or 4 random remotes that handled various aspects of the tv/dvd/cable systems. Those situations can be annoying even for the techie people, as one remote may operate part of the dvd, while you have to use the other remote for changing the source, volume, etc. The most recent vacation home we rented actually had typed instructions for which remote handled what part. Obviously, the owner thought it was needed by many renters.
My mother in law knew how to operate all her remotes until the cable company upgraded some equipment, then everything was different and frustrating. Typical remotes are poorly designed for users. They have an average of 50 buttons. How many of those do you actually use? Maybe one-fourth or one third, at the most?
motherjanegoose
July 31st, 2010
8:07 am
Oh wow…it just occurred to me that perhaps I just need to know how to communicate with children and those who work with them…this I seem to be able to do. ….most of the time.
KA…the instructions thing reminded me of the wood bringing stove we met up with when we were in Oregon, last month. It was 50 at night. Neither my husband nor myself knew how to light it and keep it moving. We have gas logs here and it has been so long since either of us have used a wood stove that we could not do it. My husband left a not that said, “please leave directions for the city folks who rent your house and do no know how to use the stove.’ I laughed at him, as he can usually handle most things! He hates to admit it when he cannot …but he did.
I am with deidre, I CAN do lots of things others here perhaps cannot do. I make time to learn the things I NEED to know.
motherjanegoose
July 31st, 2010
9:59 am
oops too many typos:
burning stove and note and not
outta here!
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