Summer is the craziest and fastest-flying time of the year…especially when you are raising kids! I feel these days we try to do it all and that leaves very little free time. With all of the electronic devices available, that precious free time is easily consumed behind a screen. Read on to learn exactly how our summer is ending electronic free and why I have no regrets!
Lots of change
This summer brought lots of change for our family. It started off normal with softball and baseball games nightly. But then came the crazy! We pulled the trigger on our life changing decision for me to quite my job and be home with the kids. My last day of work was the end of June. Marlee was gone my first week home at CYSC. The very next week we were consumed with her scoliosis surgery, which lead to a week in the hospital. After that it was recovery time, appointments and me trying to get into the groove and new routine. All of this happening and suddenly, I was staring August in the face!
Bad Habits
In those busy first few weeks at home my head kind of spun. We were in and out a lot and didn’t have the best routine set. There were many times I would walk in and see the kids watching TV or arguing with them over device time. (We don’t allow our kids on their devices without permission). They were always fighting over who had more device time or what show to watch. I felt summer slipping through my fingers and I didn’t want to go on like this. We had started a bad habit of reverting to TV and devices out of boredom and I had to make a change.
The 8 to 8 Rule
I wanted to get rid of all screens and devices but I knew that didn’t make sense. I know that as much as I wish it was the 90’s again at times, it’s not and electronics is a major part of our lives. That being said, I didn’t want it to be too easy to slip back into old ways. I wanted my kids to play, to laugh and have fun with each other. They need to find their curiosity and creativity. I decided…no electronics or TV from 8 am to 8 pm.
Surprising Results
With the husband on board, we told the kids and they of course bulked at this a bit but not as much as we thought they would. We are blessed with active, fun-loving kids! Once we turned everything off in the morning, no one even asked about it again. Other than a few reminders here and there it’s going great! No one misses it at all! We wake up and watch TV during breakfast, then it goes off and we head outside for them to play! We play and take walks and talk and have fun. I get housework done while they play together. Here are just a few things they have done in the last two-weeks:
-The boys went fishing together and handled it all on their own
-Vayda worked with scissors and glue for crafting (great for a new preschooler!)
-Marlee, Chase and Vayda played Barbies together…for HOURS all week long this week…talk about imagination!
-The big kids played some board games together.
-Walks and bike rides with friends…by doing this crazy thing called knocking on doors instead of just sending a text!
Next Year
These last two weeks have been amazing. I got a real taste of what next summer could be like! I am so grateful to be home with the kids, to care for them, the house and make life more enjoyable for Erik when he gets home from work. And I love making memories with these kids and impacting their lives. Electronics will always be around…but unfortunately their imaginations won’t be. These days are flying and I am going to do what I can to help our kids live them the best way they can!
