As I have mentioned before on the blog, although I do love technology and see the benefits of it when used in moderation, I do feel its really important to take a tech time out now and again. It is great to spend time together as a family away from all the screens – with the TV turned off, laptops and phones away and just spend some quality time enjoying the simpler things in life!
I was glad to be selected to take part in a Tech Timeout™ challenge with Foresters. From Friday to Monday, we pledged to spend one hour each day disconnected from all things electrical, with the aim of building better and stronger family bonds. One hour a day is not really long at all, but having made a pledge and knowing you need to account for your time makes it easier for parents to be more aware of screen time in the family. It can be easy to think of spending just 5 more minutes on Facebook (which drags on to 10.. and so on!) when we could be doing something much more worthwhile.
I didn’t find it too hard to find things to do to keep us all entertained without technology. An easy favourite with the boys is to spend time out in the garden. So rather than letting them come in from school on Friday and relax with the television or playing games on their tablets, we went straight into the garden and they spent more than an hour running around, playing with their cars and bikes and on their climbing equipment. Meanwhile I chat to them and join in some of their games.
On Saturday there was a live football cup final to go to! That made it easy to spend hours away from the TV and computer, and this was great quality time for Mr Z and his dad.
On Sunday we took time to spend with relatives.
Forester’s have prepared a pledge form for any families who wish to make the same commitment to just one hour techtime out quality time each day. Do you want to join?
And if you are stuck for ideas on what to do to keep yourselves entertained without the trusty technology, then they have prepared a great list of 50 ideas too! Click the image below to get the list bigger.
Which idea appeals to you the most? Let me know in the comments.
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I definitely agree with this, I think it’s important to turn all technology off for some point during each day. My husband has a habit of leaving the tv on but I try and turn it off otherwise CBeebies is on in the background all day. I think you get more interaction between you all with technology off. We always have more fun when we go back to basics and interactive with each other rather than various screens. From the list above we love going to the park, going on family picnics and making homemade pizza for tea.
I find the same with cbeebies, it’s easy to get the habit of keeping it in the background all day so I have to make the point of turning it off and tell the kids we don’t want to watch it too much!
We have a limit on TV time anyway and spend lots of time reading books, doing jigsaw puzzles and playing games, imaginary play is big in this house too.
Limit tech stuff is useful, you’re good!
Tech Timeout sounds like a lovely challenge, we have taken part in a similar challenge last year and had lots of fun going for walks, crafting, painting and exploring the nature. I will check out the list of 50 ideas for inspiration! 🙂 x
Hiya! We ban technology every Sunday. The kids are used to it now, they still try it on… “Mummmmmm can I play Xbox?” me: “what day is it?” the boys: “oh yeah, Sunday no tech day.”
we limit TV, otherwise we end up with a zoned out child
I limit the TV but its more difficult stopping my other half from getting his phone out all the time. I think we might have to go on a long promised crabbing trip!
That’s a great idea. I think we’re pretty good for not spending too much time watching TV. When we go on holiday, there will be no TV etc so it will be interesting to see how we get on LOL. Not that I ever have time to watch TV.
We have a limit of 2 hours TV, computer time a day
I think I may have to take up this challenge. We are a family that love technology but we are making a conscious effort to cut down on use recently. Great post!
I completely agree about going back to basics sometimes.
I think we should try this challenge. My worry is everyone else would be fine and I would be freaking out! Thanks for linking up to the Monday Parenting Pin It Party. Have pinned and shared 🙂
We are trying to keep away from technology more, particularly after school – I am really going back to my roots here – board games are the order of the day at the moment! Thanks for linking up to the Parenting Pinterest Party – pleasure to have you there 🙂
I do love a good board game 😀
I think we need to try this… Great idea! #LetKidsBeKids
This is a good idea. To be honest, as my kids are only 4 and 1, we don’t struggle to stay away from tech – we’ve plenty of park trips, crafting, reading, playing that keeps us all happy, but I can see this could be trickier as they grow up, so a great idea for families to get involved with. #LetKidsBeKids
What a fab idea! I can imagine this initiative will come in really handy for parents of teens #letkidsbekids
I think its a great idea, so nice to see kids having fun away from the tech. I am in the process of arranging a screen free day in jan, to help raise awareness of the need for children to have fun away from screens. I would love you to join me, if you are up for it?
Thanks for linking #LetKidsBeKids
Yup will join you – tweet me when you are doing it, ill RT and join in 🙂
We love time away and outside – although the boys have missed their wii this week as it was off limits and they have had to find other ways to fill that time. Popping over from #letkidsbekids