One Week, Unplugged

Oh how I loved it. I loved not having anyone asking me if they could have their computer time, watch a show, play on iPods…I loved it.

I wish it went as easily as I’d hoped for, but as with anything new there was resistance. I was told several times that Seth would only be nice if he had electronics. He proved to be the most challenging with this week. Ever since he was about 3, I noticed that if given too much time in front of the TV, he became very aggressive. As the years progressed, I’ve become lazy tired of fighting and let one PBS show turn into 3 or 4. That is 30 minutes versus 2 hours!!!

While the girls wanted to watch a show after school, they were content to go outside and play with eachother. There were tea parties on the back porch, holes dug in the yard, swinging and sliding, pogo-sticking and all manner of imagination going on.

I saw a definite drop in fights, and increase in play, and a greater love for one another.

While no electronics week is over, we have placed new boundaries on the electronics usage in our home. The children may ONLY have computer/iPod/TV time after their rooms are cleaned. And at that point they may have 30 minutes used however they want. Movies may be watched at my discretion, and on special occasions.

I might miss the freedom it allowed me to let the kids just “veg” in front of the TV, but I know after a while they will get used to it and things will be like they were when Seth and Amelia were little. They will play together, imagine together, and make memories that don’t involve the television.

This was a great kick-start for us to do what we had been wanting to do anyway. Get back to simpler times, a simpler way of living – less plugged in to the outlets, and more plugged in to each other.