Many years ago we decided that for our family we wouldn't have a television...,Yes, you read that right, no TV. Now I know that might be controversial for some, but I encourage you to stick around for this conversation because it isn't quite how it sounds. Shortly after our second child was born ( we have four), we sold our television. We had already decided that unless we were video chatting with family, our eldest would be screen free for as long as we could manage it. Well we reached 3 years old and seemed to be fine without screens. With only one child and a busy work schedule, we were not home much and didn't need to rely on screens, as our toys at home were a novelty. She was always busy at preschool or with us on the weekends so it didn't make sense to add screens into the mix. After our second was born, I was determined not to fall into the screen trap that so easily happens when you are occupied with a newborn. We had come so far without screens, I was up for the challenge to keep it that way. As the years went by, we did end up purchasing a movie projector and we occasionally (maybe once a month) watch a show together as a family; usually a documentary or a movie based on a book we have read. So, how do we manage no daily screen time with 4 very young children?I was thinking about how we do it and I narrowed it down to 5 simple lifestyle choices we make that allow for us successfully limit screen time in our home. Although I do realize that nothing is ever simple and what works for our family might not work for yours. I would say that unless we changed our lifestyle to suit a screen free life, we would have gone a bit crazy, especially when we had 3 under 3.5. 1. We got rid of TV.If you as a family are committed to the screen free life, than this step really is essential for a harmonious home. You do not need to rid your home completely of all screens if you aren't ready to give up your Netflix binge nights or Sunday afternoon football, but the main spaces of your home should not have the screen as the focal point. For us, that meant no TV at all for some it might mean limiting it to another room or hiding it behind a cupboard door when your child is around. 2. We prepared a space.This is probably my favorite part of the screen free life. Our home is child friendly. We have purposefully made our living spaces welcoming for our children. They can reach the plates, fruit, and cutlery in our kitchen. The table is always open for their use to eat or to create crafts or use clay. Our living room has a cupboard with open ended toys like magnetic tiles and Duplo. There is a child sized table that is used in many ways in imaginative games or as a base for play. The natural light floods the space so that they feel inspired in by the view of the outside world and warm by the rays of the sun. In our new house, we have been blessed with a large upstairs room where we have space to make encourage gross motor play with a trampoline, slide, indoor swing, nugget couch and sturdy shelves that are often used as stairs to jump from. We can also clear this space and build large creations with duplo or the train set. If you want to live the screen free life with four children, then open ended toys can be a game changer. We love to source ours second hand through facebook marketplace, garage sales or thrift stores. 3. We filled our home with books.When we were in our small home in New Zealand and when we are in our new larger home in the United States, we have always made places for picture books. In our smaller space, we had to be more creative with shelves on the wall, in our hallway cupboard or in nooks beside their beds. In our new home we have a dining room which we have converted to a "library." It is a room filled with books, a comfy chair, a table for puzzles or writing and wonderful natural lighting. Just the other day, I called out to our 8 year old from the kitchen. She came waltzing in dreamily. When I asked her where she was, she said "Ooops mama, I was in the library dreaming up wonderful things." My heart filled with joy knowing that the space I had so carefully crafted, was inspiring her to dream, imagine and get lost in her thoughts. Filling our home with quality children's literature. along with cozy nooks or comfy couches has leant to hours of time spent "reading" and browsing books. We try and make an effort to read at least 3 books out loud to them daily, but they also spend hours flipping through books imagining their own stories. We also love our CD player. We try and keep a few audio books from the library available so that they can independently listen to them without the need for a screen. I also use a bluetooth speaker and will play audio books podcasts via my laptop for them. 4. We include our children in daily rhythms and tasks.I love cooking with my children. My eldest, who is 9, can cook breakfast by herself which is so helpful in a busy household. I find the time spent together in the kitchen valuable for relationship building and also for learning. Some of my favorite memories are of us together in the kitchen prepping some muffins or making a meal for a family in need. My husband enjoys projects outside in the garden - from building a chicken run, planting potatoes or fishing in the pond. The children love to follow him around with their little shovels and buckets. Time spent busy, working together is one of the best ways to replace the entertainment of screens. 5. We spend a lot of time outside.Which leads me to my favorite lifestyle choice - spending hours of time outside in nature with each other. We love hiking, biking, and gardening. And with a little investment we can enjoy these tasks together. Who needs a video game when you are racing through the woods on the bike track with your siblings. I know where my kids would rather be.
Being screen free is definitely something you have to deliberately choose. These days, screens are everywhere, each one trying to capture our attention. But if less screens is an important family goal, then be encouraged that another family is in the trenches fighting screens for more family memories and connection with each other.
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AboutA place to find reflections on our journey of eating more healthy, home education, getting outdoors and living a simpler lifestyle. Archives
February 2023
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