One Week Update!

We have made it a whole week with NO screen time!  Has it been easy? No way!  Am I tired? You betcha!  Is it worth it?  I don't know yet.  
First off we have been so busy.  The Calendar has been key to sticking to it.  The kids are so excited every morning to wake up and see what's on the agenda.  Charlie has especially loved this time.  He says that he prefers no electronics because we do so much more together.  I think it's been hardest on me.  It's embarrassing to admit how much I relied on that down time, but I did.  

 A few highlights from our week: 

Two visits to the children's museum

Fun at the skating rink/ Fun Center

Lego Time at the library

The girls had their dance recital

Charlie gave us an oral report on two bugs he made up.

STEAM night at the library

Another hands on museum

Making bracelets

Bounce house fun center

Stuffy School

I'm not sure I have seen major changes in the kids yet but there have been a few minor things.  The biggest change is they don't complain about leaving the house.  This wasn't even one of the behaviors that I was thinking would change.  It was a nightmare to convince them to go anywhere.  Even if it was something fun for them.  Honestly we had started to give up on going places.  This week though, they have even gone to the grocery store with me, TWICE.  No complaining!  What?! So unexpected and so nice.  
I do think that the defiance and the anger has been less frequent.  The other thing I was curious about improving was a few tics in one of my children.  I'm not sure they are less or not.  They are pretty subtle anyway so it's sort of hard to measure.  I was hoping that their sleep habits would improve a bit.  They aren't terrible but they all take quite awhile to fall asleep and they still wake up in the night about half the time.  I don't think this has changed at all.  I'm still waking up with a kid next to me on most mornings.  
We are only on week one so I know that we still have time for more improvements.  Either way, I know it's better for all of our relationships.  Even if it means I'm exhausted.  Part of the problem is it has rained here almost nonstop.  No outside play is so hard! Also Brian has been gone all week working on remodeling one of our rental properties.  So I have been on my own.  I'm feeling good though and am excited for nicer weather next week.  Looking forward to lots of bike riding and swimming in the pool.

Miles of Love,
Stacey

Screen Time Fast

Tomorrow starts a family electronic fast. I recently read this book.

It was so dead on about what our family needs. For years I have been certain that screen time impacts my kids behavior.  Then I heard about this book and the results from doing an electronic fast.  It clicked for me and I immediately ordered the book. She talks about the effects screen time has on the brain and how it intensifies problem areas. Especially in children already prone to things like anxiety or intense emotions.  It makes tics more frequent and anger more intense.  These are definitely things I have seen.  We deal with big emotions already and I can definitely see how much more intense this child gets when they have had too much screen time. There is so much information on the ways it affects our brains in the book.  These are just the things that we deal with in our home.
So during the fast, the kids will have no electronics at all.  This includes TV and movies.  Also all home devices such as Alexa and Google Home.  The idea behind it is that they need to reset their brains.  Actually, so do Brian and I.  We intend to participate in the fast also.  Obviously I am writing this on a computer so I will be having some electronics.  Brian will still work on an computer at work and we will have our phones for texting and calls.  Other than that, we will put everything away and when the kids are with us we won't have any electronics either.  
Am I nervous you ask?  Yes!  I home-school and I will admit that I use electronic time for rewards and just so I can get things done.  I am nervous that I will have zero down time.  I want to do the fast super strict, so I am also keeping my kids with me at all times.  I don't want them to go to a friends house and sneak some screen time.  So it could certainly be a long three weeks for me.  Brian and I will be giving each other kid breaks and swapping in the evenings. I made a very detailed calendar with lots of fun things to do and to keep us all on track.  

How did my kids take it?  We have talked about it a lot and they almost seemed relieved.  Charlie especially seemed relieved.  I think they know that they want, think and have electronics too much.  It is definitely an addiction.  And I think everyone is excited to shake it.  
When I showed them this calendar, they were super excited to get the week started.  That was the key, make it feel like it's not a punishment.  So we will see what happens when they wake up and reality sets in.  
I will update regularly on here and Youtube.
We made a short introduction video about what we are doing.  Check that out here.
Video Here

Wish us luck!
Stacey

Hiking Misadventures

We have been enjoying the nice weather and have started taking the kids out on hikes and biking adventures.  Last week we decided to head up to the mountains for a little hike.  We headed up to one of our favorite spots and started down an old closed down road.  We started at the top and headed down hill.  After walking for a short while the kids decided they had had enough.  So we started to turn around.  Brian felt like we were about half way down and decided he could run up and get the car and drive it to the lower lot.  The kids and I could simply head down hill and meet him at the bottom.  Way easier than getting three tired kids to the top.  

We took off, enjoying our walk with songs and stories.  We searched the area for bugs and found pretty little waterfalls.  Soon I realized we were far from where we needed to be.  The girls were getting whiny and I was having to take turns carrying them.  I was pulling all my tricks of motivation to get them to the bottom.  It turns out we had 3 more miles to go when we left Brian.  The road was about 4 miles in all.  Our short little walk was not so short for short little legs.  The kids did great in the end.  Lily was asleep in about 2 minutes after getting in the car.  Oh and if you're wondering, Brian did come up the trail and met us about a half mile from the bottom.  So he was able to help with the carrying from then on.  I'll tell you what though, my calves are so sore.  Who knew downhill was so rough on the body.  Probably a lot of people.  Not me though.  

I think next week we will research our hike a little better.  And bring water with us. And I will probably not let the girls bring their purses.  Lily packed a jar of rocks in her purse and then was kind enough to let me carry it.  Kids! I tell ya!

We had to take a lot of breaks

I overheard Charlie encouraging Lily to keep walking and then I looked over to see him holding her hand.  He really is the best big brother these girls could ask for

The kids thought it was so fun finding snow on a hot sunny day.

We are sure loving this nice weather and can't wait for more adventures.

Miles of Love,

Stacey