Less screen = less scream
Our ethos behind Little Kit very much centres on the importance of play. Play can help in all areas of your child’s development, but essentially it is fun!! I had a sudden epiphany last week that my children don’t really play anymore, and if they do play it’s a forced interlude until they want to go on the Ipad/ Wii/ TV again.
The thought made me feel slightly sick. How had this happened? Or rather, how had I let this happen? Had they forgotten how to play or use any part of their imagination? After I had gone through the guilt, I must admit I felt scared at the thought of trying to make a change. My children are going to hate me, really hate me.
I talked to Scott about it and we made a plan, an enforced week of screen free time seemed the answer. Almost like pressing the reset button. All we had to do now was tell Albie and Hope!! Their initial reaction surprised me, maybe this wasn’t going to be so bad after all.
Maybe they thought I didn’t really mean it because when it came to enforcing it the tears flowed. At first they were lost and didn’t really know what to do with themselves but I stuck to my guns and pretty quickly they came round. The board games were dusted off and used. Toys that had been long forgotten made an appearance. Not only did Albie and Hope seem happier, there were no arguments about getting off the screen, the house seemed more peaceful. The biggest surprise for me was that I became more engaged. I no longer used the screen time as a babysitter while I got on with the endless list of jobs. We all rediscovered ourselves.
I cannot recommend a screen free week enough. It’s a chance for your children to reconnect, recalibrate use their imagination again. Of course it’s all about balance, the national guidelines suggest no time for children under 2 and maximum 2 hours after that.
Right, best get off the laptop then ……………………….
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