Kennedy: Little Mac needs a vacation

My 8-year-old son -- 70 pounds of gristle and elbows -- still tries to coil up in my lap when he's sleepy. My 3-year-old son, meanwhile, thinks sitting on daddy's lap is his birthright.

Lately, my two sons are competing for daddy time with my third child. His name is Mac, and he also likes spending time on my lap.

Little Mac is great. He's full of news and gossip. He collects video of the oil spill. He twitters on about where friends are going for dinner. He's so cool.

Mac is really helpful, too. I can wake up at 5 a.m., and he's is right there, bright-eyed and eager for work. Like a puppy, a little mush dog.

Mac's a real thinker. You'd like him. He knows everything about old movies. Oh, and he can spell and do math. He has an uncanny memory for every fact ever invented. He's like the smartest friend you can have.

"Daddy," my 8-year-old son says. "Will you throw baseball with me?"

"Sorry, Son, I'm working," I say. "Maybe later."

Little Mac and I are working on a project together. He brings me new followers, and I give them crumbs of information. You know, info they really need, like my thoughts on new cars, links to my old columns and stuff.

"Daddy" my 3-year-old son says. "Can you help me?" One of his little cars has come apart, and he tries to hand me the two pieces.

"Oh, buddy," I say. "You know I'm no good at fixing toys. Go find your mother."

Did I tell you that Mac is a weatherman? He knows when storms are coming. Honest.

If you want to know the truth, I think Mac and I are becoming best buds. I can tell he cares about me. He wants me to stay informed.

Here, let's see, he's just brought me a new article to read. OK, it's from The New York Times. Good. Good. The headline says: "Hooked on Gadgets ... Constant Use Takes a Toll on Family Life."

Interesting. Good. Let's read this immediately.

The Times reports: "(Experts) say our ability to focus is being undermined by bursts of information. The stimulation provokes excitement -- a dopamine squirt -- that researchers say can be addictive.

"In its absence, people feel bored. ... These urges can inflict nicks and cuts on creativity and deep thought, interrupting work and family life."

Oh.

Later, I take my 3-year-old son to the playground.

"Daddy, I like spending time with you," he says earnestly, pumping his legs to build momentum on the big-boy swing.

Meanwhile, I take a deep, ragged breath and feel the crimson rush of shame.

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