Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Yankin’ the Techie Rug Out from Under Them

The technology rug has been yanked out from under our kids. Almost two weeks ago, I HAD it. As in ‘up to here’ and literally crying because of the behavior of one of our kids ~ which included the phrase “I can do it if I WANT to.”

Oh, really?

As of that night, we pulled the plug, batteries and what-have-you on literally everything. No tv. No Wii. No Leapsters. Nothing.

They cried. They fussed. They whined. And then you know what?

They lived.

All of them have started drawing more {to the tune of a ream and a half of paper}. They have been playing games, building, playing the piano, reading, and PRETENDING.

We did watch one movie together as a family on Sunday night, but otherwise it has been amazing to watch them kick up the creativity several a gazillion notches. 

Bliss, I tell ya. Bliss.

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13 comments:

  1. WOW!! Good for you. I wish I could do that. But I NEED them to watch tv after lunch so I can nap on the couch. :) I am cranky if I don't get my naps. :)

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  2. Oh, you're brave. And wise. I so need to do that very thing, but I'm scared. Of what it will mean for 'my computer time.' Oh, the lack of discipline on my part (and in my heart!). Good for you! We do have to set intense limits on Wii and computer usage (like, they may go weeks without being allowed to play) especially for our middle who gets very "involved."

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  3. We unplugged a while back. Generally, we might watch one family movie a week...and hubby/I catch up on news after everyone is in bed. We do use the computer for some of our school work...but, we're unplugging as much as we can...my kids are so peaceful, play more imaginative games and love drawing/coloring/painting...I'm convinced...all those techy things are sucking the creativity out of us (of course, as I say that as I sit here blogging)!

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  4. Yes, Yes, YES!!! It supports my theories, and that's why I don't want our kids to EVER play video games or any of that stuff. Right now, they play, build, draw, write words, "read" books, and pretend work at an office job. I hope never to ruin them with a glut of junk. (Now, if only my husband was similarly convinced.)

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  5. Yay!! We unplug at least once a year - for weeks at a time. It's amazing. I dream about throwing the tv away but I really like the Wii. :)

    Enjoy!

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  6. Glad to hear it's going well! We don't have cable (the hubby & I watch shows online when we watch them), so the kids just watch videos occasionally. We do have a Wii, but it's played only in moderation. They spend hours playing, pretending, drawing, coloring and reading. It's a blessing!

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  7. oo man that would be tough! But your right they did live! They probably lived "fuller" too :-)

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  8. Good for you! We are an unplugged family too, with an occasional show for a needed nap for me :) Heck, we tossed the cable too, so internet is about it in the evening after bedtimes.

    Children don't need those screens and noise and artificial stimulation. Don't you just love to see that creativity go?

    Now, we have been making use of the playaways at the library - they can listen to a book on mp3 with their headphones during the day (not at bedtime) They LOVE that for some wind down time!

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  9. Wow, that is awesome. We unplug for a couple hours a day. Most of the time it is great.

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  10. I really want to do that too. But I need it for a break sometimes. I know that's so bad to say. I sometimes pretend to watch a show with my older son when the toddler is napping, but I really fall asleep on the couch. Good for you! I'll do it too...someday.

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  11. Glad to hear it's going well! We don't have cable (the hubby & I watch shows online when we watch them), so the kids just watch videos occasionally. We do have a Wii, but it's played only in moderation. They spend hours playing, pretending, drawing, coloring and reading. It's a blessing!

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  12. We unplugged a while back. Generally, we might watch one family movie a week...and hubby/I catch up on news after everyone is in bed. We do use the computer for some of our school work...but, we're unplugging as much as we can...my kids are so peaceful, play more imaginative games and love drawing/coloring/painting...I'm convinced...all those techy things are sucking the creativity out of us (of course, as I say that as I sit here blogging)!

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  13. WOW!! Good for you. I wish I could do that. But I NEED them to watch tv after lunch so I can nap on the couch. :) I am cranky if I don't get my naps. :)

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