I've been doing some thinking about something lately. Call it wanting to make a change for the new year, or maybe I'm just finally paying attention. We are on technology overload. If it's not the tv, it's the computer, or the Kindle, or the DS, or the cell phone, or Big Man's iPad.
When they're not doing lessons, they're playing games or watching cartoons. We don't have cable, so they're not watching as much as they used to, unless they're watching something on Netflix. And even then Little Man will change programs faster than I can blink.
The weather has halfway decent today and instead of going outside, which I have suggested more than once, he wants to be inside, playing on the DS.
Big Man and I grew up in an age without all of this technology. I can remember when cell phones looked more like bricks than mini computers. I was in my junior/senior years of high school before I was ever on a computer. We had floppy disks to store stuff on, instead of thumb drives. If the weather was nice when we were kids, we were outside playing. We weren't inside on an electronic device.
And so, since I've been noticing all of this, I'm going to start unplugging. If the weather is nice, we'll be outside. If it's not, we'll cuddle up and read, or draw, or do art projects, or free play with the multitude of toys they have. My son has enough Legos to build a small town, and enough Matchbox cars to create a small version of Texas Motor Speedway. I have enough books in this house to read that I don't need to go to the library for awhile.
We need to reconnect to one another, whether it be for an hour at a time, or all day on a weekend. Did you know there's a National Day of Unplugging? It's set for March 1-2 of this year. I've signed up! You can too, if you're interested.
I've noticed people reposting a picture on FB of cell phones stacked one on top of another, face down. They say to do this when you go out to dinner and the first person to check their phone pays. Why don't we do it at home, and the first person to check their phone, cleans up the dishes?
If you are already unplugging, feel free to share how you do it, and how it works for your family! If you need to unplug, feel free to join me!
My husband has "unplugged" recently. We're down 1 laptop without the money to replace it. He's rediscovered reading and instead of jumping on the computer for most of the evening, he's reading a book! I've started doing more reading as well but sometimes I do it on the NOOK which is technology but it's not the same. Maybe I'll write a post and come back and link up with you :)
ReplyDeleteTess, thanks for stopping by!
DeleteI've been reading on my Kindle too, along with books I'm receiving to do reviews on. I've read more this year so far than I have since my kids were born!
Please do, that would be great!
Technology is so addicting. I have been having some of the same thoughts. When it is a learning activity I don't worry as much, but boy do I despise video games that seem to have no value.
ReplyDeleteMary - Some of what they do is learning activities, but it seems like when the lessons are done and they have free time, they're turning to the technology instead. Or at least my son. My daughter isn't quite as addicted to it as he is.
DeleteThanks for stopping by!
It is a temptation. I've noticed that since we've moved to a house with a yard and some woods behind it, the kids have been staring at screens a lot less.
ReplyDeleteStefanie - That's a good thing!
DeleteI can say the same for a lot of families I know here in the Philippines. I have been holding off on getting the gadgets here. We only recently got an Android tablet and I allowed the children to play with games on the computer and mobile only this year. But I noticed right away that they were starting to turn to the gadgets when they're free instead of asking me to take a walk, go for a swim or go to the playground like they used to. So I set time limits for them to watch TV or play with the PC/tablet/phone using the alarm on the cellphones. And I try my best to play with them when they ask me to, meaning to drop whatever I'm doing for the moment and give them the attention they want so they won't go for the PC instead.
ReplyDeleteNow you've got me thinking about writing a post on it, too.
Thanks for sharing the post and the link to the National Day of Unplugging. I'm going to check it out and see how I can join from this part of the world...
Stopping by from the Crew and with warm regards from the Philippines,
Mary at My Tropical Home
Mary - Thank you for stopping by!
DeleteI'm having to work on stopping what I'm doing to spend time with them...
Thank you for sharing about this I think it's a great idea. I have a couple of posts planned and will be back to link up.
ReplyDeletePS found you via Mary at My Tropical Home
Chareen - I'm still trying to convince my family of it. lol
ReplyDeleteThank you for stopping by, look forward to reading your posts!