The last two weeks have been quite funny, especially because it seems like everywhere you look kids are so caught up with their electronics. The first week of July our internet went out and I have got to say hands down my kids’ reaction was priceless. They didn’t know how to react. It was a shock, it’s like they couldn’t figure out what to do next. Every minute they would ask “when will it be back on?” or “is it fixed yet?”, it was quite funny. We sent them outside to play while the At&t worker did his magic.
It really had me thinking of when I was as a child and how I was always outside running around getting into mischief. My kids need time to use their imagination which had me thinking I really need to cut back their time with their electronics including the television. Recently they have been thriving from the time away from all the media and have bonded more with each other. They interacted more with each other which is great overall for their social development.
In the long run I will be setting up a schedule that will allow so much time for them to choose if they want to watch television or play a video game. Choices are good but should be limited when giving options. You don’t want to overwhelm your children which will end up in disaster. That is also why I posted about movie night with the kids, that is a great way to encourage the kids to enjoy family time while watching one of their favorite movies or shows.
For instance, when I was a child we would go out and play hide and go seek, tag, freeze tag, football, and jump rope. There are endless games that can be played it is just that our children have been born in an era where it has been overshadowed by media and electronic devices. When I went to the store the other day I made sure to buy them a soccer ball. In my younger years I loved kicking around a soccer ball so my first thought was ‘I am going to get my kids one’. They absolutely love it.
Exercise is so important for children, getting them outside to play, it’s crucial for their physical development and also their mental status. On another note I have decided to work out with my kids, for instance, like taking daily walks or playing games outside with them. This helps me and the kids bond and get our blood pumping. When outside though, especially in the summer, it is good to make sure you have access to water, so you can stay hydrated. The heat index can be a lot hotter than usually predicted and that can be a problem for you and your children. During the summer months I always make sure my kids have access to a Little Tikes kiddy pool so that they can also have water play even with water guns when we are outside. This helps them stay cool and have fun at the same time.
MomTalk 