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Monday, April 18, 2011

Screen-Free Week

Screen free
My friend, Alli, pointed out something interesting on Facebook a while ago. There is a thing called Screen-Free Week. They are encouraging families to unplug for their children for 7 days.

Starting April 18th through April 24th our family is going screen-free.  I mentioned it to my husband first, he was up for it. Then I brought it up to Zachariah. I figured he’d be against it. It means no TV, no movies, no video games, no computer. He said “Yeah, can we start tomorrow?” I was shocked. But then I realized that I told him it was a challenge. He’s at an age where he loves to beat us at challenges. Want him to get dressed quickly in the morning, tell him there is no way he can get dressed before you. He will, and he’ll laugh and love it. Win/win for me.

So, we’re doing it. We’re taking the Screen-Free challenge. We’ve gotten pretty lazy about having the TV on a lot. And I let him play video games a lot too. (I’m embarrassed that I’ve let this happen anyway.) This will be a great time for us to focus on other things that need done. We’re gearing up for kindergarten registration and screening here anyway.

The biggest challenge will be for Matt and I. But I know it will be a great way to get Zachariah involved in more things. He needs to keep working on writing his alphabet and cutting out shapes. We can sing songs and make puppets. He loves crafts, and I haven’t done any with him in a while. Unfortunately the weather will be bad or it would be great to get outside more. If we get a nice day, we’ll go to the park or take a walk. Otherwise, we still have the YMCA. We can go swim once or twice. There are many options. And it will help us to gear up for being out and about when the weather is nicer.

For us, Matt will have to be at his computer at work…it’s his job. But he’s not home, so it won’t affect Zachariah (the main focus of this). I will be away from the computer during the day. If I get a chance I might check messages first thing in the morning or in the afternoon (if he needs rest time). Matt and I will both struggle to be away from our computers after supper. I think that will be harder than not watching television. But we’re powering back up after Zachariah goes to bed. We’ll still watch TV and use our computers. It will force me to balance my time online better though. I will only have a short amount of time each day to keep up with email, Facebook, Twitter, and my blogs. I’ll have to prioritize, but I know I can do it.

We all can do it. We need this. We need to refocus and not rely on the TV and computer as much as we do. How about you? Can your family go a full week screen-free? Will you take the challenge with us?

Even if you can’t do it this particular week, maybe you can try it another week…or 3 days or 5 days. Just give it a try. I’ll be blogging about out journey and the fun things we will replace our downtime with on here. I’d love to hear your comments and ideas as well. And good luck to everyone else who is participating.

19 comments:

Marlee said...

I think a screen-free day would be brillian! Right now I'm a college student blogging about living on an EXTREMELY tight budget, and my computer really is a huge aspect of my life! I've won the battle between my boyfriend and I to have no television in the bedroom, but no computer? Haven't gotten to that yet...

www.marleeindebt.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

My kids would go nuts if I "unplugged" them for 7 days, and I probably would too! I think we will tough it out and give it a try though, it will be an interesting challenge!

Crunchy Frugalista said...

I thnk my kid would melt down. We have a hard enough time limiting them to 2 hours of screen time a day. This is ag reat idea though. I am your newest follower from the Alexa blog hop. Hope to see you soon at www.crunchyfrugalista.com

Unknown said...

Stopping by from the Alexa Hop. Heck no...lol need my screens.

Six in the Nest said...

I do that on a smaller scale. Usually sundays are "screen free". No TV and no computer while the kids are awake... it is just a good day to bond with everyone. Not sure I could make it a week though...too much happens in a week.

Jenilee from Six in the Nest visiting from the Alexa Hop. :)

Chase said...

I could definitely go without TV- probably forever. The computer...now that would be a challenge. I would love to do this, but don't think I could convince my husband! :)

Following you from the alexa blog hop! :)

Finger Click Saver said...

Here from the Alexa Hop and I am now a follower via GFC. No screens for a week...oh dear! Wouldn't happen in my house. I have to ALWAYS have a TV on when I am home. Without my computer, I become very anxious. My daughter would drive me nuts w/o being able to see the news (she's 13) and my son whom has developmental disabilities...TV is his world.

Unknown said...

I made the choice when we moved to our current place to not bother getting tv. Now, we do have DVD's and Miss *a* watches them a lot, but once I started thinking, I realized that the tv hasn't been on at all this week! However, a blogger without her computer? Not happening. :P
~K
bigklittlea.com

Nikki said...

Good luck! I could never do it. First of all, I'm a freelance writer, so I need "screen time" to earn a living. Second, I like TV way too much! But I'll happily read about others adventures without any screens for a week!

I'm a new follower from the Alexa hop.

Unknown said...

How cool!
We actually just canceled our cable last week, so I kinda went screen free too!

Mama Chocolate said...

We cut out movies/tv during the day for all 40 days of Lent!
It helped me realize how much I'd started relying on the screen to keep my toddler occupied when I wanted to do something else, (mainly, glue myself to my computer screen!!)
Definitely a good exercise and it got my creative juices flowing on better activities for her.

Stopping by with my Alexa toolbar! ;-)
Johanna at Mama Chocolate
Family life, tips for mom, reviews, giveaways and more!

Mom Daughter Style said...

I should try to do this

Visiting from the Alexa hop.
http://momdaughterstyle.blogspot.com/

Brooke Anna @ Mommy Does... said...

This is a great challenge but I don't think anything would come between my fiancée and Ax Men...
haha! The computer would be hard for me since I attend college online :D

Cherished Handmade Treasures said...

What a great challenge. I would fail. I have a friend who does this with her four boys all the time. Again, I would fail. My hat is off to those who can do it.


Sandy- Cherished Handmade Treasures

Mel Creates Often said...

Stopping by from the Alexa hop. Have a good day!

Matter of Cents said...

I'm not as "dependant" on the TV as I once was, however my three kids are. The programs they watch are all educational though and promote being active (either with your brain or body). The Chicago winters are brutal and we would all go nuts if they didn't have a passtime, other than toy, crafts, and books. My oldest gets bored very easily.

Holly G said...

I think this is a great idea and I really wish it was a more realistic goal for us. I think we'd be a lot better off simply trying to limit our screen time as opposed to cutting it off altogether.
Stopping by from the Alexa hop. :)

~Holly
http://www.twinsplusone.com

Yours Faithfully said...

As an owner of an online gift store I might have a few isses - lol - and I am sure my daughter might have a few issues with it too!

Just stopping by from the Alexa Blog Stop. Have a great weekend.

Unknown said...

Is it sad to admit that I don;t think I could do this?! LOL! Yes I know sad, sad, sad!!! But kudos to you!!
Stopping by from the Alexa Hop! I liked your page! Hope you'll come return the love! :)
Stacie
www.loveyoualwaysgiveaways.com