Do not take this the wrong way I consider technology of all kinds invaluable tools in our society. I would be unemployed if we did not have the Internet and technology since I am a virtual school teacher, but sometimes it becomes TOO much. Like anything else in life a little goes a long way and there needs to be limits.
How did I take back my family? Simple, I implemented some rules that everyone, including myself, had to follow. I did tons of research on programs, movements, trends, and more to find ideas on how to reconnect. Some of the places I viewed for research included:
- Tech Time Out by the Fosters If you get nothing else from this post at least try the one week pledge!
- How to Limit Screen Time by A Family Well Blended Really enjoyed the article, but found that it was so much more than limiting screen time for my family.
- 100 Fun Things To Do in for Kids by Mommy Bear Media Loved the ideas and activities included in this four part series. I cannot say that any single program or sound bite that I read was a one hundred percent fit for my family, but when I pieced together all of the ideas here is what I came up with.
I cannot say that any single program or sound bite that I read was a one hundred percent fit for my family, but when I pieced together all of the ideas here is what I came up with.
Below is a small sample of my Technology Time-Out plan that I taped to a box. On the other side I made a No Technology image using the awesome Tagxedo website. When it is time for Technology to not be used all electronics go into the box! I have them bring their ipods, iphones, tablets, computers, game remotes, TV remotes, etc. It ALL goes into the Tech Time-Out box (make sure to make everyone turn all items off; nothing more annoying than the box chirping) no excuses.
Example Technology Time-Out Plan (Subscribe to the blog for the Full Template Free)
The McDowell family
will participate daily in Technology Time-Out together as a whole unit. During
the hours of No Technology we will not:
Use Television
Use Cell Phones
Use Tablets
Use Computers
Use Game Systems
(e.g. Playstation, etc.)
1.
Kids no Technology between 4pm – 8pm. (4hrs)
a.
From 4pm – 5pm you complete your House Chores.
b.
After chores you will help with dinner. (set the
table, wash any dishes, cook, etc.)
2.
Mom and Dad no Technology from 5pm – 9pm. (4hrs)
This simply was not enough though. Summer begins for my two oldest that are in traditional public school tomorrow and I knew I was going to homeschool my youngest year round. I refused to have them recede on what they learned this year and get lazy the rest of the day with technology use so I put into play our Summer Schedule.
Example Summer Schedule
(Want the entire Template? Subscribe to the blog today)
(Want the entire Template? Subscribe to the blog today)
This is how our
summer days will go. Arguments or not completing your schedule means loss of
technology privileges and no time with friends. On weekends we will have
Technology Time-Out but you will be free from Summer Schedule.
·
Wake-up & have Breakfast 8:00 – 9:30am
·
Activity Work Mom Assigns 9:30 – 11:30am
·
Quiet Reading Time 11:30 – 12:00pm
·
Lunch 12:00 – 12:30pm
·
Time with Friends 12:30pm – 3:30pm
·
Get Home 3:30pm – 4:00pm (Do not arrive later
than 3:59pm)
·
Technology Time Out 4:00pm – 8:00pm (Follow
Technology Time Out Schedule)
·
Bed Time 9:00pm
The important thing to do regardless if you follow my templates or create your own is to personalize it to your family. I was not too vague when setting the rules, but I also was not too specific so we had room for options on activities, etc. I sat down and considered what outcome I really wanted from having this time together and then made my rules around that. No person knows your family better than you do, use that knowledge to empower you!
Stay tuned to see how The McDowell's are doing on their Reconnect by Unplugging journey!