It used to be called No TV Week, but times, they have a-changed. Screen-Free Week is a time to "turn off screens and turn on life," according to its website.
I think this is a fantastic challenge! I have definitely noticed how I use 'screen entertainment' way too much and sometimes even ignore my own child while trying to watch a show or waste time on the internet. I know I need to be more engaged with her, and now that she is walking and the weather is getting nice, we need to get out of the house and explore. I have a friend who made it a rule to not have the TV on when her child is awake, and I always thought that was great but not something I could do. (Disclaimer: I have a degree in Advertising and used to work in cable television. I am also a firm believer of "everything in moderation.") But going screen-free for one week? Let's try it. (In a modified way--I'm not a "jump in head-first" kinda gal.)
My resolutions for Screen-Free Week are no screens when my child is awake (and she's down to one nap, for the most part, by the way). That means no TV, no DVD's, no Kindle, no computer, no Wii. I don't own a smartphone so that's not an issue. We have Pandora on our Roku box, so I will allow the use of that since it's an easy way to play music. I'm also picking one day to go completely screen-free for the whole duration (I picked Tuesday). I might pick an extra day to do this too, depending on how Tuesday goes.
If you want to join up with Screen-Free Week, read all about it here. If you're at a loss for how to fill your time, print out this list of 101 Screen-Free Activities. And maybe you even want to sign a pledge to keep yourself accountable? You can do that here. Have fun turning off the screen and tuning into the world around you!
Obviously, since I am here commenting.. I didn't hear about the screen free week. Anywho- I try really, really hard to leave the T.V off and stay away from the computer when JP is awake. But the temptation is so hard (bc you know how fun it is to lay under the playmat with a baby) our generation is just so use to doing two things at once (case in point: I watch tv while blogging sometime) so for me to JUST play with baby seems impossible. Well, it could also be my ADHD. But, seriously.. I think about our mothers who didn't have the distraction of the internet. I think I envy them sometimes. I wonder how much more I would get done w/out it. That is one of the reasons I refuse to get a smart phone... I would never be able to put it down!
ReplyDeleteWhew! I'll get off my soapbox now! I guess you'll see this comment tomorrow since you are all screen free and stuff today ;)