This post is dedicated to kids (and parents) with technology addictions. I have been struggling lately with a toddler who seems to be addicted to the iPad. She wants it in the morning, afternoon, and night; even sometimes falling asleep with it in her hand.
Why are we struggling with limiting screen time?
Parents need to stop using technology as a way to distract their kids. It always seems to be the easiest solution to get kids to be quiet. Parents need some quiet time to do some work, give the kid an iPad to distract them. Parent too tired to play with kids, hand them the iPad. Parent wants some alone time, give the kid an iPad. It's unfortunate but its true but sometimes we do not have the energy to be "on" all the time and it seems to be the quickest fix to the problem.
Kids tend to copy what they see like they say "monkey see monkey do". When kids see their parent always glued to their phone, laptops, etc. Is it really fair for them to want to 'unplug' their kid but keep up with our poor habit? It doesn't seem fair to me. If you are genuinely looking for ways to decrease your children's screen time then you should also be limiting your own.
It really is addicting! Technology has the capacity to alter the brain and that isn't something that should be taken lightly. You may laugh but gaming and technology is just like gambling and before you know it you'll wind up with a dependency addition on your technology.
What should we do with our children instead?
Be a Role Model: Lead by example, do not expect something from your kids that you are not willing to give up yourself.
Sensory Activities such as play-do, kinetic sand, or slime are great for kids to develop their find motor skills as well as explore with textures, consistencies, mixing colours, and stirring in other pieces.
Simple Crafts: Pinterest is every parents best friend. There are hundreds of different crafts available and they don't need to be crazy extravagant either! You can pick crafts from many varying topics that could serve as some teaching time for kids. Some examples include weather-related activities, community helpers like firemen or police, Holidays, creating memories like painted hand prints or using salt dough to create family keepsakes, the possibilities are ENDLESS!
Play Outside: fresh air is always good! I remember when we were kids we would gather all the neighbourhood and play a huge game of hide and seek, sometimes driving by the complexes we used to live we do not see kids playing outside anymore! Everyone is stuck inside addicted to whatever gaming device they use.
Colouring: The Dollar stores are great for colouring books and there is also tons of free pages available online that you can just print off and colour.
Family activities do not have to be long and time consuming if you do not want them to be. They could be having dinner together as a family on the dinner table without phones or any tech. A family movie is watching on a TV screen together but it is also creating memories and is time spent bonding as a family, make sure you declare no phones allowed during the movie. You could just sit and talk to each, remember talking? That thing we used to do together. I made this Instagram page my daughter and I to encourage us to keep doing fun activities together and we show them through our posts!
Others fun stuff to do include puzzles, board games, reading, cooking/baking, exploring new topics, science experiments and much more!
The best thing to do is to make time for your children. As hard as you work never forget that kids need love, support, and attention. It can be hard at times especially after a long day at work or a long day cleaning; all parents are busy with something! When you make time for your kids they remember it and then become addicted to your attention for them! I never want to reach the point where I regret not find the time for my little girl, take advantage of this amazing time with them!
Remember unplugging doesn't have to be stopping all technology use altogether, it just means limit your time glued to your screens. Give your eyes a break and spend some quality time with your kids.
Why are we struggling with limiting screen time?
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| Disclosure: I do not own this image |
Parents need to stop using technology as a way to distract their kids. It always seems to be the easiest solution to get kids to be quiet. Parents need some quiet time to do some work, give the kid an iPad to distract them. Parent too tired to play with kids, hand them the iPad. Parent wants some alone time, give the kid an iPad. It's unfortunate but its true but sometimes we do not have the energy to be "on" all the time and it seems to be the quickest fix to the problem.
Kids tend to copy what they see like they say "monkey see monkey do". When kids see their parent always glued to their phone, laptops, etc. Is it really fair for them to want to 'unplug' their kid but keep up with our poor habit? It doesn't seem fair to me. If you are genuinely looking for ways to decrease your children's screen time then you should also be limiting your own.
It really is addicting! Technology has the capacity to alter the brain and that isn't something that should be taken lightly. You may laugh but gaming and technology is just like gambling and before you know it you'll wind up with a dependency addition on your technology.
What should we do with our children instead?
Be a Role Model: Lead by example, do not expect something from your kids that you are not willing to give up yourself.
Sensory Activities such as play-do, kinetic sand, or slime are great for kids to develop their find motor skills as well as explore with textures, consistencies, mixing colours, and stirring in other pieces.
 |
| Click here to make this snowman wreath! |
Simple Crafts: Pinterest is every parents best friend. There are hundreds of different crafts available and they don't need to be crazy extravagant either! You can pick crafts from many varying topics that could serve as some teaching time for kids. Some examples include weather-related activities, community helpers like firemen or police, Holidays, creating memories like painted hand prints or using salt dough to create family keepsakes, the possibilities are ENDLESS!
Play Outside: fresh air is always good! I remember when we were kids we would gather all the neighbourhood and play a huge game of hide and seek, sometimes driving by the complexes we used to live we do not see kids playing outside anymore! Everyone is stuck inside addicted to whatever gaming device they use.
Colouring: The Dollar stores are great for colouring books and there is also tons of free pages available online that you can just print off and colour.
Family activities do not have to be long and time consuming if you do not want them to be. They could be having dinner together as a family on the dinner table without phones or any tech. A family movie is watching on a TV screen together but it is also creating memories and is time spent bonding as a family, make sure you declare no phones allowed during the movie. You could just sit and talk to each, remember talking? That thing we used to do together. I made this Instagram page my daughter and I to encourage us to keep doing fun activities together and we show them through our posts!
Others fun stuff to do include puzzles, board games, reading, cooking/baking, exploring new topics, science experiments and much more!
The best thing to do is to make time for your children. As hard as you work never forget that kids need love, support, and attention. It can be hard at times especially after a long day at work or a long day cleaning; all parents are busy with something! When you make time for your kids they remember it and then become addicted to your attention for them! I never want to reach the point where I regret not find the time for my little girl, take advantage of this amazing time with them!
Remember unplugging doesn't have to be stopping all technology use altogether, it just means limit your time glued to your screens. Give your eyes a break and spend some quality time with your kids.
Has anyone else been struggling with kids and screen-time? What kinds of activities do you do with your kids? Have you been to change they way things are done by implementing some routine?
I want to know what you have been doing to address the topic!
As always, blog you next week!
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