I enjoy following Go Explore Nature. She is a mom with a passion for exploring outside with her boys and she has some great simple ideas for how to enjoy it together.
I was recently reading one of her posts and realized there is a movement by the Campaign for a Commercial Free Childhood for families to participate in a screen free household challenge from April 30th through May 6th.
Wow. A Challenge.
When I saw this I thought, I want to do this! At the same time I also thought, I don’t know if I can do it.
My computer screen is where I go when I need a “quick fix”, when my boys are challenging my sanity, when I need to know there is something happening somewhere…
It is a habit.
We are consistent about not allowing our boys to watch a lot of television. C only watches less than 1/2 hr and not at one time during the day and L we limit to 2 hours total per day. But, there are days where L watches more because of laziness on my part. I know I am not alone in feeling I need more than the 1/2 hr break one of his favorite shows provides sometimes. Giving him the satisfaction when he asks to watch another show in the afternoon while C is napping is as much for him as it is for me.
So, this idea of no screen time for a week is a real challenge for me. To be fully present, accountable and engaged all week, all the time with no “quick fix” to fall back on is almost daunting.
I know it is essential for me to curb my habit. To explore new ways to fulfill my need for connection and escape during certain times of the day. So, this challenge is happening at the right time.
I am sharing this in the hope that others will join our family. It is important to feel uncomfortable for a short time, this is how we learn and grow right?
If we stay complacent, doing the same as we have always done then how can we recognize or learn another, possibly better way to live.
I know this isn’t going to feel good right away but I also know I will learn a lot about myself and especially about my boys. We will be spending a lot of uninterrupted time together.
What are we going to do? We will be outside most of the time. I am happiest outside, so are my boys. We have a lot of weeding to do in our yard that we never have time to do, there are some new hiking trails I can’t wait to explore with the boys. I am really looking forward to the possibilities, the changes.
I will not post anything for at least a week. I know I will have a new perspective and great adventures to write about. I also know I will feel more connected to myself and my family.
So, I am up for this challenge, are you?
Oh, this scares me. See, we’ve done the screen-free for a week for K – in fact, we just recently broke from that because she’s got a cold – but I have never tried it for me. I am going to consider it, but it would mean putting my Etsy shop on vacation and I just submitted on a few jobs on Elance… hmmm.
Oh I know. It isn’t easy. I think Etsy is considered your job…not just because right? I think that counts as legitimate screen time. All other uses not so much
I am worried for myself…but I know I really need to do it.
First, thank you so much for the shout out!
Second, you are awesome for taking the challenge & inviting others to do so as well. As for us, we’re not going 100% screen free (mainly because I don’t do well with cutting anything completely from my life), but will be definitely be cutting back in certain areas. I’m hoping we won’t see the need to go back to old habits after we adjust to the change. Good luck! :0
You are welcome Debi. I enjoy your blog and ideas very much. I am nervous about cutting screen time (especially for me) completely but that is just how I roll
I know it will be very challenging but it is only 7 days, I can do it! I really hope others take the challenge, in what ever pace they can. I think these kinds of experiences shape us to be better people and parents. Good luck to you too 
I want to give it a try – my husband just got back in town though so I need to see if I can get him on board quickly. We’ll see and I’ll let you know. It actually won’t be too difficult for me but that’s because I have to be on a computer all day at work so it’s not unusual for me to go several days without even checking my personal email. That said, it will be VERY tough on me to keep my son away – particularly on the weekend. He doesn’t have a lot of screen time, but the time he has he longs for daily. It’s going to be tough for sure. Thanks for the challenge!
It really is a challenge isn’t it! And yet, it is only 7 days…uncomfortable but not impossible. The weather is awesome, plan a long day hike or even a camping trip next weekend, it might break up the difficult “no t.v” in the house kind of vibe…good luck. I know I will hear a lot of whining from L as well, it is good for them and us!
Pingback: Screen-Free Week 2012 – Upcoming Events « tvSmarter
Pingback: Screen Free Clear Mind. « CURLY BUG
I honestly don’t think I would be up for the battle. Of course, my kids are a bit older but on the weekends, I let them play or watch movies.
I can totally understand your trepidation of a battle that would come from saying “no screens” to your kids. I get that my boys are young and really have fewer tools to make such a fuss.
I am so happy I made the choice to see what happens, it was really a great learning experience. Now, I am faced with a new choice. How to balance all the time I want to give to my spouse, my boys and not create the situation that was happening before our screen free week when I was using the computer. I haven’t figured it out yet but I know I will.
I am not a t.v. hater, I totally see the use and enjoyment of a good movie or t.v. show and I think those are appropriate things to share with our kids. I could just see the connection getting lost between my family and myself and I wanted to see if I could do something about it. It was a better result than I could have ever imagined.