tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5271614253001147963.post1817137611357075720..comments2024-03-27T04:26:55.746-05:00Comments on mer mag: Unpluggedmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00215523635354890405noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5271614253001147963.post-35433416412982536442013-01-26T13:09:08.201-05:002013-01-26T13:09:08.201-05:00Boys will be boys as they say.
zaneBoys will be boys as they say. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.rawhoney.ca" rel="nofollow">zane</a> Zane Wooderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10234994003865045370noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5271614253001147963.post-64050290163504977492012-04-13T02:56:38.223-05:002012-04-13T02:56:38.223-05:00Oh this is so true.
We have not had even basic tv ...Oh this is so true.<br />We have not had even basic tv channels in our home for at least 10 years.<br />We've had dvds and recently added netflix<br />We let our 3 older kids (7, 5 and 3) watch some shows on the weekend and that's it. <br />Unless Mommy is extra tired or someone is sick, no weekday tv--period.<br />We don't do any video games, computer games, and we don't have an iphone or ipad to play with.<br />When we go somewhere, they draw or read books.<br />Even on 6 hour road trips--we listen to books on cd.<br />When they do watch tv on the weekends, even 1 show per kid, they get crabby and cranky and say they are bored as soon as tv time is done. <br />During the week they are drawing, inventing and creating all day long.<br />TV dulls their imagination.<br />Video games are even worse.<br />My mother in law brings her iphone and ipad each time we see her. <br />My boys make a beeline for the games she's bought for them to play.<br />They don't want to do anything else.<br />Yes, it keeps them quiet, but they don't play.<br />And after a while, their behavior is atrocious.<br />I am not a fan of the video games.<br />I plan on maintaing a pretty screen free home throughout their childhoods.<br />Reading, drawing, building, dreaming, thinking, inventing, listening and simply talking to one another are all so much better than getting sucked into the screen.<br />Even though at times it is so tempting to let the tv be my babysitter.<br />It's always better when I don't give in.<br />Love from,<br />GretaGretahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01487259102833192940noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5271614253001147963.post-85527125688341403272012-03-13T16:46:15.975-05:002012-03-13T16:46:15.975-05:00I couldn't agree more. I have three boys and ...I couldn't agree more. I have three boys and we have gone through periods of both too much and no screen time. The creative play and sweetness is so evident when we stay away from the screens. I have just recently noticed the same for me. Our internet was out for four days and I got so much done, my mood was better and I was picking up a book or my knitting instead of killing time pinning and looking at blogs. I believe so strongly that imaginative play is the most important thing young children do. Thanks for the inspiration we are going to make the media disappear for awhile hear too!jesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05681737364254942882noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5271614253001147963.post-10607913585329277042012-03-03T00:33:12.950-05:002012-03-03T00:33:12.950-05:00We see the exact same thing from Koa. I've alw...We see the exact same thing from Koa. I've always thought it was a readjustment issue for him. In other words it's not so much that Tv overstimulates him it's more like it allows him to block out all other stimulus so that when he's asked to reenter reality it's overwhelming and he goes into sensory overload (hence the melt downs). For a kid that has sensory intergration issues it can be a major releif to be able to block out some of the chaos but it can also be highly addictive. Cally has started having screen days at her house. If it's screen day the kids are free to chose a video game or Tv show but if it's not a screen day all "screens" are off. Koa has latched onto the concept from hanging out over there so I thought I might implement it here. He also lost his charger to his DS which I am in no hurry to find!mandyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13761090497445373986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5271614253001147963.post-81173595248561119842012-03-02T07:41:23.204-05:002012-03-02T07:41:23.204-05:00we've never had a tv or much less any sort of ...we've never had a tv or much less any sort of video game setup-- and i wish i could say that meant my children were never dramatic and never fought! :) but in any case i feel much better about their use of time, whatever it may be that they choose to do. plus i feel much more justified when i let them watch the odd movie on the laptop once in awhile. (and oh i enjoy the peace and quiet that brings. . .)o charmhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02691276299651528650noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5271614253001147963.post-18876604776632824552012-02-29T22:51:46.663-05:002012-02-29T22:51:46.663-05:00I canceled cable TV when my then 7 year old daught...I canceled cable TV when my then 7 year old daughter asked me if she could do her "thing" and I said, "What's your thing?" and heard "TV". No kidding, the next day I canceled cable. That was the best thing I've ever done. No more Disney, no more Nickelodeon. I can relate to what you said about her "coming back" into this world. It was amazing. <br />Now I want to do the same thing with video games and my 13 year old stepson. Kristin said exactly what I have been thinking. Fighting with siblings, attitude and withdrawl when we say he needs to take a break. It is pretty scary!rosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07614371616393855575noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5271614253001147963.post-76879770325558699042012-02-23T23:43:48.755-05:002012-02-23T23:43:48.755-05:00I relate to this exactly! It was weird, I started ...I relate to this exactly! It was weird, I started noticing video games were almost like drugs for my boys and they acted completely different when it was time to turn them off - like withdrawls. Suddenly nothing else they owned was fun, they were so bored and the arguing was ridiculous! We now have a video game day once a week. It actually is a school day (wed), but they only have a small window to play. They have requirements to meet before playing - tidy room, homework and 20mins of reading. then they can play until dinner time. Somehow just controlling it and setting expectations has helped a lot. the other rules are if any fighting or bad sportsmanship happens during the game it gets turned off no questions asked, they can also lose the privilege of video game day for some kind of major offense (like a big fist-t'cuffs, dishonesty, saying things like "Stupid"). I've actually only took it away 1 time in the last 6 months. Best wishes! I think it will work out.Kristinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16444748987985675168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5271614253001147963.post-84605386187651732852012-02-23T19:57:12.911-05:002012-02-23T19:57:12.911-05:00Yes! my son has the same problem! too much televis...Yes! my son has the same problem! too much television, iPhone games, or video games will have him in a really bad mood all the time. he gets a bad attitude, doesn't play well with his sister, can't take criticism. we also have had to take the wii away. but i'm still afraid to bring it back... maybe over the summer.<br /><br />i noticed this happens to him since he was really little, but i had never thought to wonder how media might be affecting me! that's something to think about...Corynne Escalantehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02496383836201919735noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5271614253001147963.post-39938925999206277912012-02-22T21:24:35.372-05:002012-02-22T21:24:35.372-05:00Legos, Legos, Legos. I don't know if they can ...Legos, Legos, Legos. I don't know if they can save your kids like they saved mine, but I have two little boys ages 3 and 5 who only wanted Wii and Netflix all day, all the time. Then we pulled out an old set my husband had stashed away, and we slowly started building up a collection of their own (mostly Star Wars and Ninjago themed), and I can't tell you how much our lives have changed! The boys still want TV and Wii, but I would say that their screen time has been cut by 80%. And not because I had to take it away, but because they prefer their Legos over the TV.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05549794215220229412noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5271614253001147963.post-88047827832978381032012-02-22T21:07:34.085-05:002012-02-22T21:07:34.085-05:00We had to do the same thing recently! Tv is now a ...We had to do the same thing recently! Tv is now a weekend thing and maybe if they have a day off from school thing. It's also had me look at my screen time and what it does to my creative energy.meghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13914238108624910473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5271614253001147963.post-17126818374792003652012-02-21T12:04:10.898-05:002012-02-21T12:04:10.898-05:00Thank you for the reminder! I always wonder why my...Thank you for the reminder! I always wonder why my kids are so dramatic. I think it's time for tv to go away. Maybe we'll have a tv free summer this year! I love seeing pics of your kids playing so creatively. I want to do more creative projects with my kids.Andihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14123605002713588187noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5271614253001147963.post-20204699657367650112012-02-21T11:21:42.446-05:002012-02-21T11:21:42.446-05:00Oh my goodness, I just LOVE all of your comments! ...Oh my goodness, I just LOVE all of your comments! So helpful!<br /><br />Melissa, yes my kids had a little addiction to the iphone as well that we had to nip in the bud. <br /><br />I'm really liking the Saturdays only rule as well as the idea of showing a bit of a show only to have it lead to creative play or a project. <br /><br />And yes, this is a privilege that comes AFTER doing their chores. My sister gets her boys to clean the toilets in order to play a video game. Love that.merhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00215523635354890405noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5271614253001147963.post-31229399400744557792012-02-21T02:33:32.847-05:002012-02-21T02:33:32.847-05:00I think I need this more than anything. When I hav...I think I need this more than anything. When I have the most screen time in a day, I'm a much lazier parent. FOR SURE. I can totally tell a change in penelope, too. We've put a lock on her phone (my old iphone), which has made a huge difference.<br /><br />There were a few days when Penelope was waking up in the middle of the night to seek out our phones and play with them. It's nothing short of an addiction! <br /><br />You're inspiring, Mer. I might need to do an unplugged week with my kiddo.Melissahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07131970084203756677noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5271614253001147963.post-22620413366565672642012-02-21T01:35:04.853-05:002012-02-21T01:35:04.853-05:00Agreed! I want our boys to continue being creative...Agreed! I want our boys to continue being creative, and sometimes it seems to be sucked out (along with their good attitudes) of them when they play too much Wii.Rosa @ Flutter Flutterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17048824318937275995noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5271614253001147963.post-57967546986669417252012-02-20T23:33:55.992-05:002012-02-20T23:33:55.992-05:00We don't watch VV or movies, we don't have...We don't watch VV or movies, we don't have Netflix and we have no video games. It is Heaven. I have 1 four year old son and we PLAY. And explore. And read. I think that's what these younger years are for. Exploring the backyard, going on a bike ride, and lots of hiking.fAngelahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06365219330788759187noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5271614253001147963.post-39295273486338086792012-02-20T21:57:03.368-05:002012-02-20T21:57:03.368-05:00Amen and amen. I notice the samenwith our boys! It...Amen and amen. I notice the samenwith our boys! Its so encouraging to see results. Pretty sure we may need to do the same thing - thanks for the nudge!Brookehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02006632762877856507noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5271614253001147963.post-4203584649716305922012-02-20T20:52:17.998-05:002012-02-20T20:52:17.998-05:00I used to work for EA and my husband still work in...I used to work for EA and my husband still work in games. But since we are at it all day and it feels like work we are not playing at home -at all. I do let the kid play a bit but he is more interested in doing things with me. The problem was watching Netflix, which he did a lot lately. To cut it I still give him a little cartoon time, but now it's followed by activities to help shutting it down. As in, giving him a Ford Mustang, showing him the scene of the pursuit (only that scene) in Bullit, then letting him run loose with string (to draw roads in the carpet) and cushions (to make hills to jump). Once this done, creativity play comes naturally and Tv is forgotten for hours, if days.Delphinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16975869273475207389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5271614253001147963.post-60733454315758400842012-02-20T20:04:41.544-05:002012-02-20T20:04:41.544-05:00I totally agree Mer! too much and my kids are figh...I totally agree Mer! too much and my kids are fighting all day! I also really like Julies idea. I am super low key Homeschooler as well but I have recently noticed that if they don't get enough schoolwork into their day the fighting and lack in creativity comes back.Lorajeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15401944845052629561noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5271614253001147963.post-61169330978606632792012-02-20T19:07:02.239-05:002012-02-20T19:07:02.239-05:00such a great idea, thanks for sharing!
www.modern...such a great idea, thanks for sharing!<br /><br />www.modernsuburbanites.blogspot.comAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09022203116142439305noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5271614253001147963.post-27483371114731236162012-02-20T17:28:52.173-05:002012-02-20T17:28:52.173-05:00You took the words right out of my mouth. We do no...You took the words right out of my mouth. We do no video games of any sorts on school days. And they are aloud to play on the weekends but as soon as the bickering begins, everything gets turned off!mollyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00406515914427790210noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5271614253001147963.post-60083484895641571392012-02-20T15:38:07.235-05:002012-02-20T15:38:07.235-05:00We're really relaxed homeschoolers, in that we...We're really relaxed homeschoolers, in that we sort of interweave schoolwork in and out of daily life. My girls know their schoolwork assignments and their chores for each day, and they know that chores are mandatory, but schoolwork comes second to their creative, unplugged kid play. However, if they want to watch their one Netflix choice for each day, or if they want to use the ipad or the computer, then they know that they must complete their chores AND their schoolwork first. Most days the kiddos simply play and mind their own business and do some schoolwork or whatever crazy project strikes their fancy, but if they're burning to watch a movie or play a game on the computer, they can burn through their responsibilities and I at least know that they've done some good, productive work first.juliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18141123092139829629noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5271614253001147963.post-42367067926522389732012-02-20T13:39:53.893-05:002012-02-20T13:39:53.893-05:00I recently made a Saturday-only screen time rule f...I recently made a Saturday-only screen time rule for my kids, and I can't believe what a difference it has made. I recently read a book called "Simplicity Parenting" that has some seriously great advice re kids and sensory overload. LOTS of good tips in there. Probably the most helpful parenting book I've ever read.Kimberly Ann Petersenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10081674425801194986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5271614253001147963.post-25947163111543405432012-02-20T13:15:56.634-05:002012-02-20T13:15:56.634-05:00Mer,
I couldn't agree more. My boys are so cr...Mer, <br />I couldn't agree more. My boys are so creative....when they are not over stimulated. Sometimes it is nice to have the break....but honestly I have found that the aftermath just isn't worth it. I think we are moving closer to tv/movie/games only on the weekend and only when they are earned. I love, love, love your blog!Mollyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16112219013364445513noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5271614253001147963.post-13468454974578451332012-02-20T12:21:30.352-05:002012-02-20T12:21:30.352-05:00Thanks Nikki! I know, I typically like the WII for...Thanks Nikki! I know, I typically like the WII for the fact that is seems more interactive than other video game platforms and you can actually have some family fun with it. I guess our kids behavior afterwards is what lets us know if it's just the right amount or a tad too much. Thanks for sharing!<br />xo<br />Mermerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00215523635354890405noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5271614253001147963.post-40727424842673075162012-02-20T12:16:56.021-05:002012-02-20T12:16:56.021-05:00We have noticed our kids freak outs and tantrums a...We have noticed our kids freak outs and tantrums are related to being over stimulated with the Wii and the tele too. It's in those moments everything is turned off and we read together. <br />For us it's a work in progress. Recently our kids have had a lot of fun playing the Wii together. It's hard to turn it off when they are laughing together.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05048652457157170970noreply@blogger.com