Let Me Call You "Tweetheart"

Technology - you’ve got to love it. Or hate it. When it comes to relationships, technology is a double-edged sword. Yes, it’s great to be able to connect with your mate using a quick text: “Meet me at 6:30 rather than 6:00.” Sure, it’s fun to send a link to your partner on a particular topic. It’s even a kick to follow him or her on Twitter now and then.

But what happens when technology disconnects rather than connects you and your mate? You know what I mean. I’m talking about when night after night you go to bed and your partner stays up late surfing either the net or television channels. Or the times your mate responds to a comment you’ve made by grunting, “Uh, huh,” as his or her eyes appear Crazy Glued to a Blackberry or iPod screen.

Don’t get me wrong. Technology is great. But when it is used at the expense of your relationship, you’ve got a problem. If you and your mate don’t set boundaries between you and the IT world, over time your relationship will suffer.

One of the best ways for you and your mate to strike a balance between face-to-face communication and technological communication is to agree to have a minimum of two “techno-free” nights per week. These are nights when you and your mate turn off the blackberries, cell phones, televisions, and computers.

What you do during that time is up to you. I’m sure you’ll think of something!