Unplugging children over the holiday break

12 Comments

I have a 5 and 2 year old and never thought I’d need to “unplug” them but there it is. I unplugged them over our Xmas/New Year holiday and lived to tell the tale. Prior to children, I was one of those judgemental non-parents who was never going to let my children use screens prior to school. Well, in reality they do use iPads and iPhones occasionally but they ask for them constantly. Seriously, it’s like technological crack. I’m tired of arguing over why they can only have a short play. I’m tired of them favouring a screen over physical toys. But mostly, I’m tired that I have to monitor them. Over the holidays, our new rule was that there were no screens and my husband and I also put away our gadgets (well, until the kids went to bed). We had 3 days of intermittent whinging and whining before they seemed to forget all about the screens. It was lovely to play real games with them, to watch them play with each other and to use their little brains to actually make up games and stories. Now that we’re home, it’s a struggle to not slip back into old habits but I will endeavour to try to limit our screen time here too. It’s a slippery slope!!!

Posted anonymously, 2nd January 2016

12 Comments

- - rachelvk said
  - 26 Jan 2016
    8:21 pm
We also try and have unplugged times… it is hard but definitely worth it!

- - mom72425 said
  - 13 Jan 2016
    8:37 pm
I have a conflict with parents and grandchild. No iPad from parents, please nanny from grandchild. I hate saying no all the time. It makes me feel like an unhip nanny.

- - mamavon said
  - 05 Jan 2016
    2:57 pm
Good on you. Hope you can keep the restricted screen time regime going.

- - mom94125 said
  - 04 Jan 2016
    9:50 pm
yep well i always say that i grew up fine without these sorts of things lol moderation is key
- mom94125 replied
  
  11 Jan 2016 , 12:02 pm
  i think that you sure are onto something though! i think that it is about balance but it should favour the more active side! i have bought my kids swings/tramp combo and hubby made a cubby for the kids, just to encourage them to play without the screens.
- - Nas01 said
  - 03 Jan 2016
    11:40 am
Your not alone. I go through daily struggle with trying to get my 6, 4 and 3 year old off ipads and iphones and now the PC. Its very tempting to give in but im trying real hard to limit screen time.
- clairejay replied
  
  11 Jan 2016 , 8:39 pm
  Ugh, I think it’s just the way things are now. As the kids grow up they will be further exposed to screens through friends I guess. I’m trying hard to teach her guidelines how to use screens sensibly. Hope it pays off in the future!
- - mum888 said
  - 02 Jan 2016
    8:30 pm
It is easier to give up the Ipad outdoors than indoors . It is now the trend of technology and there will be more in the future .

- - mom165081 said
  - 02 Jan 2016
    7:51 pm
We are currently away and have the same – so nice to be living this change.

- - BellaB said
  - 02 Jan 2016
    6:47 pm
We’re pretty rigid about one DVD a day, and only around afternoon tea time. The kids are used to that, and tend not to ask at other times.
- mom93821 replied
  
  03 Jan 2016 , 7:41 am
  We have set times too as some many other things need to be done!
- - mom93821 said
  - 02 Jan 2016
    6:38 pm
Good on you – kids and adults can cope without technology for periods of time and the family time is wonderful.