Unplug | limiting screen time is for parents too

This past weekend, our family spent some time at a lake I grew up going to. We packed the cars to the brim (in full Fight Family fashion) and headed out to the lake for an unplugged weekend. No Facebook. No email. No tv or vidoes. Books. Talking. Quiet. And a ton of outdoor time.

This video from Natue Valley reminds me of what is happening to our children. Parents aren't letting them be bored, making them unplug, and encouraging them to get outside (even when it's hot). I never in a million years thought I'd be a parent saying "well, when I was a kid we drank from a water hose and played until the lights came on" but I find myself saying this (or something like it) often. And don't let this fool you, I live in reality. My kids watch tv....I know I can't let my 9 year old daughter ride her bike wherever she wants and until the street lights come on....but I can find a happy medium for this day and age.

I may be in a boat all my own on this, but I regularly let Emma get bored. I'm not a parent who is here to constantly entertain her. Erik and I bounced around on this a lot when she first started spending longer weekends with us, as well as summer time. He was still (but not anymore) of the mindset that ever day had to be an activity, adventure, or something we went to do.

I am of the firm foundation that we allow our kids some creative space to see what they do with their time. Emma doesn't have her own tablet here, and most definitely doesn't have a cell phone. She has to spend time every day reading and is only allowed to watch one 30 minute show (if that), most days. We did a whole week with no summer camp this year and encouraged her to entertain herself while her dad and I worked from home.

And guess what?! She didn't die. She didn't even complain. She read books, and played with dolls. She used her imagination and made art work. She learned how to cook in the kitchen with me and her grandmother. And she played with her brother...a lot. It was amazing!

We do this with Michael too...although at a little different level seeing as he is 2. But it's not my job to entertain them all the time. How will they learn to be ok by themselves if they don't learn these skills at some point? But while we spend all this time emphasizing our kids unplugging, taking time to play outside, and unwind - how many parents are doing this too?

I can tell you I know I feel naked without my phone. It's so sad. And now so much of my time is spent the computer, editing videos, images, writing, or reading other blogs. I feel like I am much more plugged in that I used to be. And I have this crazy urge to check Facebook all the time. WHAT THE HECK?! I am worse than my kids. This past weekend really put that at the front of my thought process. I mean, when was the last time I let myself get bored, for goodness sake.

So how do I fix that? What do I do to lessen my own screen time and increase my face to face time? Here are a few thought and things I'm going to try.

1) Limit the number of times a day I check and respond to email, Facebook, and Instagram.

If I set aside 2 times a day to check email, reply and get things in motion, I could probably be much more efficient with my time. An attempt to check email in the morning before the kids get up, and then at nap time when I'm home with Michael would be ideal. But I think I will have to add in one more evening time until I get used to this thought that not eveything is urgent and needs to be addressed NOW!

2) Create a set time to be outside every day - and unplugged.

It's Texas. It's HOT. But even in the evening time, when my kids are playing in the sprinkler or jumping on the trampoline, I seem to have my phone on me - checking Facebook or posting to Instagram (which does funnel to the blog and to work) I'm going to try and be more present to my kids during this time.

3) Put my cell phone in the glove box or console while driving.

I PREACH not using your phone while driving. I hate it. But hey, what about at that stop light? I mean, that can't hurt right. I needed to check FB any ways and see if my post has gone viral yet (still waiting for that to happen) ;-) But what is so important I can't wait until I get to my destination to pull the phone out. Whatever is on it will be there when I get out of the car.

4) Unplugging 1 hour before bed.

HOLY CRAP, this is hard! No lie, I spend almost the whole hour before I got to bed on the phone, reading blogs, emails, etc. NOT GOOD! I will spend my time writing, reading, or just being quiet...or at least attemp to do so.

I know this sounds lofty, but I'm gonna try. Because I miss riding my bike until the street lights come on and drinking out of the water hose (per say) - and want to be able to practice what I preach with my kids. We are always the living example for our children. It's the one thing I think about every single day. I want to show them you can live without a cell phone glued to your palm. How do you set the example for your kids on this? Or is this an area you need support with as well? Share your thoughts in the comments below, or join the converstation on Facebook as well!

There are some many wonderful things to experience if we can just look up from the screens.

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(yes....I get the irony due to this post...do it anyways!)

#raisingsmallhumans #unplugged #slowdown #lookup