I blame Apple for the fact that my husband and I rarely interact in the evenings anymore.

There was a time, long before kids, when Chris and I would spend our evenings playing board games, watching movies, or (gasp) talking to each other about our day. As the family expanded and life got crazy, we were too exhausted to do anything but collapse on the couch and watch some TV together. But the point was the same: we were doing it together.

Now that we each have our own iPads customized with everything we like best, we often end up sitting on the same couch but immersed in our own separate worlds. I used to complain that Chris was addicted to his computer; now he can indulge his hobby from anywhere, and I’m heading down the same path.

But I’m not going down without a fight. Case in point: last week I found some early episodes of a comedy we both like on Netflix, and I suggested we watch them together on the TV. That was good; we laughed, we snuggled, we had quality time. But over the next couple days, unbeknownst to me, he continued to watch several more episodes on his iPad — alone. So much for sharing.

I realize it’s not really Apple’s fault. I realize it’s up to me to create the kind of family time I want.

But damn that iPad itch…