Yesterday our friends were watching the kids so that Rob and I could go on a date. ... Let's pause there for just a moment. We were on a date. That someone else paid for. And some of our best friends were watching our kids for free. What's better than that? But that's not the point of this post.
The point is that while we were on this date, the kids were playing a wii game. (We own a wii and the kids love it and we love it and it's fun.) And while they were playing this wii game, Miciah said, "I bet Mom and Dad will be sad they missed this!" Our friend looked at Miciah and said, "You know what? I bet your mom and dad are having more fun where they are." (Which of course we were! ... Other than the fact that we got lost getting there. Multiple times. And then got lost going home. Total extra driving time: over an hour. It was a day for getting lost.)
You know what Miciah said? She said, "How can you have fun without video games?"
What now? That's not funny.
So I came up with this great idea. We should go Unplugged for a week. No video games. No TV. No computer. And after the kids got done whining for a day, they'd find something else to do and have a great time doing it. And at the end of the week, when it was all over, I'd say, "Now we're going to make a list of 5 fun things that aren't video game related." It was the perfect plan.
And then I got to thinking. All my accounts are on-line: Banking accounts. Mortgages. Student loans. Electric bill. Library overdue notices. Event reminders. Announcements. ... Stuff that isn't just play and entertainment and blogging. ... So if I were to have an overdue library book, I wouldn't know. They don't call. They only e-mail notify. That's how it's easiest for me. Or if the person that I'm going through to close my Pampered Chef party e-mailed me, I wouldn't know until the end of the week. And what if she suggested that I place the order on-line?
And I thought twice. If I'm going to do something extreme and hard-to-follow, then I'm going to do it WITH my kids. That only seems fair. But since I have legit on-line business, maybe the answer isn't complete Unpluggedness. Maybe the answer is just Balance.
Icky word, Balance. I'm better at being extreme.
So I should probably just get better about enforcing all those time-limit rules I've put in place. This should be easier to do now that it's Spring, and the kids have more play options. The problem is that I'm really not a very disciplined person. And the time-limit enforcing has to be done by me. We all know that no one else is going to do it! And then I should probably also get better about suggesting "alternate activities." Cause apparently "go play outside" isn't as cool as it should be.
I dunno. Anyone have any good Balance ideas for me?
6 comments:
CRUSH THEM!
Well. . . ideas. . . I have a timer I use just for computer time; we usually do the wii as a family, but otherwise, I'm sure I'd have a wii-specific timer as well. Joseph actually earns computer time with his schoolwork.
Legos are always fun to play with, as are bikes, trikes, and scooters.
Also if I'm out there with the kids, they tend to have more fun, even if I'm just weeding the garden (don't ask me why).
If I think of anything else, I'll let you know. GOod luck with the balance thing!
Balance...what an elusive term! :) I feel like it's something I have to work on everyday, and some days go better than others. I find that if I can do a little bit of everything it works pretty well. And yes, the realization that "if you want something done, you've got to do it yourself." :) I try to involve Siena in whatever I'm doing (eg she loves to pour the detergent in the washer), and then it's funner for both of us. Long time no talk! Is everything going well?
The idea of Unplugging your family is vaild (as it would be for almost all families), perhaps you just need to make a distinction between productive technology and aimless wandering.
For example, you could have a week where you could still pay your bills online but then give up Facebook and Bloghoping while your kids give up Wii and random T.V. (Perhaps being able to earn one of those shows where the lions eat the giraffe.)
Instead:
You could write really nice thank you cards to people you love (ahem) and your kids could use this time to destroy your living room making forts. Just saying.
Remember about 1 1/2 years ago when the electricity went out for a week?! The whole city was FORCED to be unplugged, and it was wonderful! (Well, except for the food). Jesse said he saw more fat kids out playing ball in their yards at this time than at any other time!
I agree, forts, legos, and bikes are all great options. When I was a kid I liked to make up "snack seats" with my friend. We'd choose a color (like red) and we'd make all red foods and go sit in the red wagon to eat our red food. Another day we'd choose another color.
Thanks for all the ideas, guys!
I realized 2 things: 1 - The kids have been more plugged in because I've been doing home projects. Do I care what the kids do while I'm painting? No, so long as they don't bug me! And 2 - Good weather is a great thing! Yesterday the kids played outside with the neighbor kids for 4 hours. Hurray for friends and Spring!
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