Navigating screens can be tricky as parents. I think there is a time and place for screens, but at the same time I think too much screen use can rob our children of the wonder and joy of childhood. Trying to find that balance is a real challenge, so every couple of months I like to give my family a screen free week.
A screen free week is a great chance to reset and help your kids rekindle their imagination. Now I know that when you use tv or other types of screens to get things done around the house, giving that up for a week seems impossible. However, let me assure you that you can do it!
As a matter of fact, a large reason for doing these screen free weeks is to reset my own reliance on screens. As much as I hate to admit it, I find myself letting my kids watch tv when I am feeling tired and burnt out. It’s so much easier to just let them watch their favorite movie rather than deal with the sibling shenanigans. And I know that’s not fair to them, and I am working on it. I am just a mom trying to do better.
10 Tips for a Peaceful Screen Free Week
There have been times where my screen free week has been going so well that it turned into two weeks, or even a full month! The truth is, it has always been harder for me than the kids. The temptation to put on a movie when I just need some time to myself can be strong! However, with some discipline it is doable.
Here are 10 things that help me have a successful screen free week with my kids.
1. Make books with their favorite characters available
One of the best ways to helping my kids be ok with a screen free week is giving them books with their favorite characters. Instead of spending time watching their favorite tv show, we spend time reading about their favorite character’s adventures. The kids love seeing the pictures of their virtual friends and hearing the stories. They even just like to sit and look through the books. Not to mention that reading together is so great for kids!
If you don’t have these types of books available at home already, take a trip to the library! The library is so much fun, and your kids will love getting to pick out some books to take home.
2. Make physical activities available
It’s no secret that kids are bursting with energy. In fact, a lot of the time when they are annoying us the most, they really just need an outlet for all that pent up energy. Giving kids a safe outlet for their energy will do wonders for your screen free week.
You can even accomplish this at home! Here are a few ideas…
- Let the kids ride bikes, roller skate, etc.
- Set up an obstacle course with pillows, cushions, kitchen chairs, blankets, masking tape, etc. (On the other hand if you have a play couch like the Nugget, these are great for this!)
- Use balloons to play keep the balloon off the floor
- Place pictures on different walls in the house (animals, colors, letters, etc) and have the kids run as fast as they can to the picture you call out.
- Have dance parties!
3. Make yourself busy
As I said earlier, sometimes giving up screens, when it seems to be the only way you can get stuff done, can be a little overwhelming. Sometimes when you’re trying to accomplish a task, getting interrupted or called away a million times is really frustrating. Believe me, I get it!
The best way to get stuff done, is to just be busy. What I mean by that is just do the task you are trying to do, if the kids need something (non-emergent) make them wait until you finish. Ninety-five percent of the time, my kids move on and forget about whatever it was they were asking about. And in the other times, tend to them when you have finished what you were doing.
After a while, your kids will see that you’re busy and they will find other ways to entertain themselves. Honestly, that is the beauty in letting kids be bored. They get the chance to work their imagination and really do what kids do best, play! Chances are, you will find that you don’t need screen time to get things done around the house.
Side note: Be warned, the second you sit down, or stop looking busy, they will pounce. Haha!!
4. Downsize the toys
Now this is going to sound counter productive, but I promise you it makes sense. Kids play better when they have less stuff. I think they get a little overwhelmed by all the options and don’t know what to do. Downsizing makes their things more accessible and can improve their playtime.
I adore watching my kids play and use their imagination. I love listening to the stories they come up with while they play. And kids will be able to do this so much better when they can find they things that spark their imagination. Not to mention there will be less for them to scatter everywhere, and later clean up.
Pro tip: When they are playing so nicely, make sure not to make eye contact or let them see you watching them. They will abort mission! Ha!
5. Listen to audiobooks, stories, podcasts, etc.
Do you ever notice that when you have the tv on for a long time, kids kind of just move on and stop really watching. Then when you turn it off, they get upset that you shut their show off without warning? This is where audiobooks and such come in handy!
As strange as it sounds, just having that noise can help kids with their screen free week. You can also listen to stories or podcasts in the car, or when you need everyone to sit down and take a little time to be still and quiet.
P.S. We love our Tonie Box for this!
6. Go outside
Spring is upon us and the weather is getting nicer. So get outside! Go for a walk or bike ride, send the kids out to the backyard to play, go to the park, anything that gets you out into the fresh air.
Exposure to the fresh air and sunlight can do wonders for mood, and improve everyone’s sleep! You will never regret time spent outside. And time spent outside trumps screens every time!
7. Let the kids help you with the everyday chores
When you really feel like you need to get some things done, but the kids don’t seem to be letting that happen, have them help you get the chores done! For example, they can help you unload the dishwasher or wash the dishes, switch the laundry, make the beds, vacuum, pick up toys, and so on.
Now either your kids will be thrilled to join in on the housework fun, or they will be totally against it and find something else to do. Either way, it’s a win!
8. Make something together
One of the best parts about doing a screen free week is the time you get to really connect with your kids. Not being able to rely on a screen to keep the kids occupied gives me a chance to reevaluate myself as a mom and be more present with them.
Take advantage of that time and make something together. Whether that is craft, cooking or baking something, or even building a fort. Give your kids the opportunity for a creative outlet and let yourself let go of everything else for a short time and just be with your kids.
9. Resist the urge to say no to everything
I get it. The kids are about to do something, and you see a potential mess to clean up later. Your instinct is to tell the kids no and to find something else to do. But here’s the thing, messes can be cleaned up. Messes are temporary. And one of the best parts about childhood is to just let kids be kids. Resist the urge to say no, and let their imaginations run wild.
10. Don’t make a big deal about not watching tv
One of the challenges about a screen free week can simply be the kids asking to watch something. If they ask why they can’t watch tv, just explain that you are taking a little break from watching tv.
A Screen Free Week Is Beneficial For All
Taking time away from screens for a while can help improve your kid’s behavior, mood, and sleep. There really isn’t a downside to a screen free week.
I don’t necessarily think that going screen free for life is always doable for everyone. I think it’s more important that we figure out that balance of allowing our kids to use technology, but not letting them become reliant on it. We need to give our children the chance to be kids. Allow our kids to be messy, make mistakes, and use their imaginations.
On the other hand, taking time away from screens can really help us become better parents. It gives us the opportunity to spend time with our kids and connect with them. It helps us learn to manage our own emotions and not react to everything.
What are your thoughts on using a screen free week to reset? What are your thoughts on screen time in general? Leave your thoughts in the comments below!
You are doing a great job!
